Turning a Hack into Growth Lessons from a Website Breach

Turning a Hack into Growth: Lessons from a Website Breach

At the start of 2025, I discovered something unsettling: one of the URLs I owned for my portfolio website was redirecting to an unrelated site. I couldn’t figure out why it was happening—nothing in the settings suggested an issue. Frustrated and eager to resolve it, I decided to bring forward plans for a website redesign. Starting from scratch was the only way to ensure the problem was completely resolved while also giving me the opportunity to create something better.

A Time for Reflection

Looking at my old site, I realized it no longer reflected who I’d become. Over the last three to four years, I’d grown significantly—both in skill and perspective. My original site, while functional, felt outdated and incapable of representing the "new me." As I started the redesign process, I found myself reflecting on my journey through programming.

The portfolio section especially hit home. It brought up memories of past projects and milestones, reminding me of the progress I’ve made over the last seven years. A close friend pointed out how far I’ve come, and it struck me that I’d been unnecessarily harsh on myself and my history.

Yes, I’m still far from where I want to be, but I’ve learned that growth is a path of a thousand steps. Each project, success, and failure is part of that path.

Embracing Vulnerability Through Sharing

This experience wasn’t just about technical fixes or redesigning a website; it was about addressing a personal fear. For years, I avoided sharing my projects publicly. I worried that sharing might come across as arrogant or self-indulgent. But by keeping my work hidden in private GitHub repositories, I was denying myself opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.

The website breach forced me to rethink. If I wanted to continue improving, I needed to embrace vulnerability and share my work—not to boast, but to contribute. By putting my projects and experiences out there, I’m giving others the chance to learn from my mistakes and successes.

Why It Matters

I don’t expect my stories or projects to reach a massive audience, but that’s not the point. If even one person stumbles across my site and finds inspiration or guidance, it will have been worth it. Sharing isn’t about shouting from the rooftops; it’s about creating a resource for anyone who might need it.

So here I am, turning a small breach into a big lesson. I’ve redesigned my site to reflect not just my skills but also my growth as a developer and person. I’m sharing key moments of my journey, so they don’t wither away in obscurity but instead serve as a reminder that progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

“A journey of a thousand steps begins with a single one.” By sharing my steps, I hope to light the way for someone else’s.