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A client handed me admin credentials in 2016 and I had never seen the dashboard. What curiosity started, a community finished - this is how that went.
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It all started back in 2016 when I was handling an SEO project for a client. He handed me his WordPress admin credentials and said, "Make changes on the website as per your requirements using these credentials." I was stunned. I had never seen the WordPress dashboard before and was totally confused. At first, I thought about getting help from a WordPress web designer, but then my curiosity kicked in.
I decided to explore WordPress on my own. After some initial struggles, I found a way to learn and started making changes myself. The interface was so user-friendly that within a month, I understood most of WordPress. I loved logging in and seeing the message on the dashboard: "Howdy, Hitendra." It felt like WordPress was welcoming me personally.
As I became more comfortable, I wondered, "How complex can it be to develop a website using WordPress?" Being the over-curious person I am, I took a day off from the office, telling them I was sick, and rushed home. I fired up Google and searched, "How to develop a website using WordPress." I found answers and read several blogs about setting up WordPress on localhost and more.
WordPress was so accommodating. It never bothered me; it always helped me. Our friendship began, and soon I fell in love with WordPress. One day, I thought about creating a live website. But what would it be about? WordPress seemed to whisper, "Start your blog with me." So, I did. My first website was a news portal featuring blog posts and guest posts about my city, Dungarpur.
My days started and ended with WordPress. I'd go to sleep after clicking the logout button of wp-admin, and my day would start with "Howdy, Hitendra." I am so thankful to the people who made it possible for someone like me to design my own website.
But I didn't stop there. I wanted to be part of the community that had given me so much. I began attending WordPress meetups, and eventually, I had the opportunity to speak at one. Sharing my experiences and learning from others was incredible. The community was welcoming and supportive, and I felt right at home.
I also became part of do_action India, a charity hackathon that uses WordPress to make a difference. Contributing to meaningful projects and collaborating with passionate people was a rewarding experience. It deepened my love for WordPress and its community even more.
Now, my curiosity drives me to learn how the WordPress core is designed and how I can contribute to making it more secure and user-friendly. I want to help others on their journey, just as the community has helped me on mine.
My journey with WordPress has been an amazing adventure filled with learning, growth, and a whole lot of love. From handling that first SEO project to becoming an active member of the community, WordPress has been more than just a tool - it's been a companion.
I'm grateful to everyone in the WordPress community for embracing me and fueling my passion. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next. Thank you, WordPress, for being such an integral part of my life.