Short thoughts, work in progress, lessons learned, & the occasional personal update.
Almost done with the design plans for all the dynamic systems on a tradie company web design project.
8 structured data systems in one project. Connecting and strategizing everything so it all works from day one.
I guess freelancing feels fulfilling once you’re done with this kind of project. But the process behind it? That’s a bit overwhelming.
Posted 11 hours ago
Started a new project for a B2B equipment dealer in the sewer and pipe industry based in Germany.
This time I’m not starting from scratch though, the previous provider left it at about 15% progress so I’m just picking up where they left off.
The only real challenge? The language. Shifting from English to Deutsch 😅
Hallo zusammen 👋
Posted 2 days ago
Currently working on one of my monthly site care tasks, checking the speed of a client site. And it’s still performing well. These routine checks don’t look exciting but they keep things running the way they should.
Speed is one of the hardest things to improve on a website because there are so many factors like server, how the pages are built, and the tools used to build them. But I’m still glad I was able to improve this one.
Posted September 13, 2026
One thing you can’t really control when handling projects is the timeline. It can shift at any point, especially when you’re working with trade businesses.
Just picked up the design phase of the flooring company project again. Glad I’m already done with the major pages and just working on the Learning Resources and Projects dynamic pages now.
Posted September 9, 2026
Been using Basecamp for project management since I started freelancing.
I’ve tried the more popular ones, but Basecamp is still one of the most straightforward tools out there.
Btw I’m almost done with a new post on how I onboard client projects using it.
Posted September 3, 2026
Since I left my corporate job last year to go full-time freelancing, I’ve been putting a lot more effort into this website.
And one of the most rewarding things so far is how much easier it is to get content indexed by Google.
Just added a new post and it got indexed almost immediately.
Posted September 1, 2026
Got my new earbuds from Anker and I’m really liking the noise cancellation so far. Been using the one from Baseus for 2 years and it finally needed a replacement.
Looks small but this pair really helps when I need to focus.
Found some old clips of my website designs done on Adobe XD. Different versions of my site over the past 10 years. A lot of testing and trial and error. It’s been a journey.
Had to switch to Figma with all the issues around XD being phased out.
Posted August 26, 2026
I can’t remember if they’re going to post recordings of the 2-day event, but I was still able to gather some insights from my phone and memory 🙂
I’m at the point where I want to offer businesses stuck on WPBakery a free rebuild.
Nah maybe a discount 😅
But seriously, if you’re going with WordPress, at least use a solid page builder like Bricks (my bias), Beaver, Divi, or Elementor. Launching a site is just a small part of it.
Building new pages and optimizing over time is the long game, and your site builder matters for that.
Posted August 17, 2026
Been handling website projects in the home improvement space, especially clients in AU.
Looking at these skylight photos all day got me thinking. What’s it like living in a house with a transparent roof like that? Then I imagined having one here in PH. Sounds great when it rains. Then summer hits 😂
jk, these skylights are actually automated and packed with features.
Posted August 15, 2026
WPBakery might be the only page builder where the experience is equally rough whether you’re using backend or frontend editing. Divi handles this way better.
Sorry, I keep comparing these two because they both offer both modes, but the quality gap is real. Credit to the Divi team for getting that right!
Posted August 14, 2026
Got a chance to attend the HighLevel Manila 2-day event!
I just realized I wasn’t able to record everything. Now I’m trying to piece together all the info I remember and the photos I have.
The insights they shared were pretty overwhelming 😅
Posted August 10, 2026
I have an urgent page build using WPBakery. Although we have a 1-week deadline, I’m confident I can deliver. But seriously, at least give us a custom CSS field per widget. Even Divi has that!
I’m not really the type to rant about tools I use for work. I get that every builder is built differently. But every time I have a project using this one, it just takes so much longer than it should.
Posted August 8, 2026
You know, one thing that still bugs me is not asking my old clients to leave their review on my Google Business page.
I just collected them through email or other apps. Should’ve known better 😬
Posted August 7, 2026
You know what makes doing this stuff worth it? People who still remember you and refer you even if you haven’t spoken in a long time!
Just got an inquiry! Turns out someone I spoke with 2 years ago referred them. As a small service provider, that kind of thing means a lot 🙂
Posted August 4, 2026
Late night timelapse of us getting things done. I don’t know why, but I always feel more productive at night.
Also, I just recently got that standing desk, and I can’t appreciate enough how helpful it is when you’re getting older 😂
Posted July 31, 2026
Currently redesigning the website of a flooring company based in Erina, NSW.
See those long page designs? It’s still Wednesday but I guess I’m gonna be working even on the weekend 🥲
Posted July 28, 2026
Table of contents
2025 Wrapped: My Web Design Projects, Freelance Life, & Everything In Between
January 08, 2026
20 mins read
Reader Disclosure
Disclosure: I may occasionally include affiliate links in my posts or pages. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, which helps me keep this website running and create more useful content. However, this does not affect my opinion on the product or service in any way. I only recommend products and services that I truly believe in and use myself.
When Spotify released their yearly Spotify Wrapped, it inspired me to make my own. Mine isn’t as interactive as theirs or other platforms, but I thought it would be fun to look back and share some highlights from my 2025.
If you asked me at the start of 2025 how this year would go, I honestly would not know what to say. I did not have a big master plan. I did not have a perfect roadmap. I just knew I wanted to keep building, keep learning, and stay grateful for the work I had.
Now that 2026 has started, I wanted to sit down and write this. Not as a highlight reel. Not as a sales post. Just a real recap of what happened last year.
This is my 2025 Wrapped. My projects, my freelance work, the trips, the late nights, and the small moments that made the year feel full. If you are a freelancer, a web designer, or just someone trying to figure things out, I hope this feels like a friendly chat.
The 3 Client Projects That Kept Me Busy
Okay, so this year I built and delivered three client projects. That might not sound like a ton to some people, but if you’ve ever done client work, you know that each project is like its own little journey.
Each one had its own personality. Every client came with different needs, different vibes, and different challenges. I won’t dive into all the details here, but if you’re curious about the projects, the design process, the challenges, and the final results, I’ve put together dedicated pages for each one in my portfolio.
But here’s the thing I want to say about these projects. They weren’t just about building websites. They were about solving real problems for real people. One client needed to reach more customers online. Another wanted to completely rebrand their business. Each project had a story behind it.
And honestly? Every single one taught me something new. Whether it was a new design technique, a better way to communicate with clients, or just how to manage my time better. You grow with each one.
The best part? Seeing them go live. That never gets old. That feeling when you refresh the page, and there it is, live on the internet for everyone to see. All those hours of work, all those revisions, all those late night development sessions. It all comes together in that one moment.
The JFP Team Trip to El Nido, Palawan
Now, let’s talk about something totally different. The JFP team trip to El Nido, Palawan. Have you ever been to El Nido? If you haven’t, put it on your list. Seriously.
This trip was incredible. We’re talking crystal clear water, white sand beaches, palm trees everywhere. It looked like something out of a postcard. But more than the scenery, it was about the team.
When you work remotely or freelance, you don’t always get that face-to-face time with the people you work with. You’re on Slack, you’re on Zoom, you’re sending messages back and forth. But actually being there in person? It hits different.
We spent our days island hopping, snorkeling, just exploring. And in the evenings, we’d hang out, eat amazing food, and just talk. Not always about work, either. We talked about life, about goals, about random stuff that made us laugh.
There was this one moment that really stuck with me. We were on a boat heading to Snake Island. When we got there, it was almost empty. Maybe the other tourists had already left, I don’t know. But it felt like we had rented the whole place just for us. The water was so calm you could see straight through it. Everything was quiet except for the sound of small waves.
I just stood there for a second and thought, “This is exactly why I do what I do.” The freedom to work from anywhere. The ability to take trips like this with the team. Getting to balance work and life in a way that actually makes sense. Not many jobs give you that, and that’s something to be grateful for.
El Nido wasn’t just a vacation. It was a reminder that taking breaks is important. That spending time with your team builds something real. And that sometimes you just need to step away from the screen to refresh and recharge.
Late Nights and Dev Work for Johnny Flash Productions
Alright, let’s get into the grind. The late shifts. The dev work for Johnny Flash Productions. If you’ve ever worked late shifts, you know the vibe. The house is quiet. Everyone else is asleep. It’s just you, your computer, and whatever you’re building. There’s something kind of peaceful about it, honestly.
In my role as a front-end web developer at Johnny Flash, supporting late shifts required a complete shift in my daily schedule. I’m based in the Philippines and JFP is in the US, so our time zones are basically opposite. When they’re starting their day, I’m usually winding down for the night.
So I had to adjust. I’m naturally more of a morning person, but when the work needs to get done, you figure it out. You adapt. You make it work.
Some Projects I Got to Collaborate On
The dev work itself was challenging but in a good way. I was shipping features, fixing bugs, making things better. And when you’re working with a team like Johnny Flash Productions, the standard is high. They expect quality. They expect things to work smoothly. And I wanted to deliver that.
Some nights were tough, I won’t lie. There were moments when I’d be stuck on something for hours. Maybe a plugin wasn’t working right, or a design element wasn’t showing up the way it should. You know those moments when you’re staring at the dashboard and something just isn’t clicking? Yeah, plenty of those. But then you figure it out. You find the solution. And that relief is real.
What I learned during these late shifts is that just showing up matters. Being there when the team needs you. It’s not always perfect, but you try your best to be consistent.
And honestly? I just tried to do my best and be reliable for the team. Those late nights were tough sometimes, but knowing I was helping move things forward made it feel worth it.
Special Events That Made the Year Memorable
Beyond the regular work stuff, 2025 had some really special moments.
We had a PH-based JFP team mini get-together. It was so nice to meet again some of the team members who are also here in the Philippines. It’s really different when you’re sitting across from someone instead of seeing them through a screen.
I also started a new freelance role last year. New projects, new boss, new challenges. It felt good to push myself in a different direction.
Then there was the JFP Virtual Christmas Party. Even though we were all in different places, we had games, and just enjoyed being together online.
But one of the things I’m most grateful for is being part of Make an Impact at Johnny Flash for another year. This is where we give back to our community.
These moments shaped my year. They reminded me that work is better when you’re surrounded by good people who care about more than just the work itself.
Looking Ahead
I don’t know what 2026 will bring. Maybe more client projects. Maybe some new challenges. Maybe another amazing trip somewhere. But what I do know is that I’m ready for whatever comes next. I learned a lot this year, and I’m curious to see where things go.
If you’re reading this and you’re a designer, a developer, a freelancer, or someone trying to figure out this whole creative career thing, here’s my advice: Just keep going. Take the projects. Go on the trips. Work the late nights when you need to. Learn from everything. It all adds up. Every single bit of it.
Thanks for reading about my year. I’d love to hear about yours too. What were your wins? What challenged you? What are you excited about for this year? Let’s keep building cool stuff together.
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