Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a deep love for the internet and electronics. It started way back in the ’90s when I would spend hours tinkering with VCRs, Walkmans, and any electronic gadget I could get my hands on. I wasn’t just playing around; I was cleaning headers, fixing cassette tapes, and learning how things worked from the inside out. I’m still in love with electronics, but my fascination grew even more when I discovered the internet.
In 1997, I created my very first website using Yahoo Geocities. It was a completely different world back then building websites was like creating your own little universe. I played around with Homestead and other platforms, teaching myself HTML, CSS, and eventually other coding languages. I would spend hours figuring out how to make things work, and when they did, it was pure magic. Back then, I didn’t have access to the abundance of online tutorials we have today. Everything I learned came from trial, error, and a lot of curiosity.
Fast forward to 2005, when I joined YouTube. I was one of the early adopters, uploading videos and experimenting with the idea of vlogging before it was even a thing. Over the years, I’ve had several YouTube channels, some of which gained over 200,000 views. But, in my younger days, I didn’t fully understand the value of what I was doing. I deleted those channels because I was young, naive, and thought I wasn’t good enough. I’d tell myself, “Who wants to watch me anyway?” It’s a decision I regret to this day.
For a long time, I thought that creating content was something meant for others, not for me. I started to believe that I was “too old” for vlogging. I’d think, “This is for the younger generation,” and let those thoughts hold me back. But no matter how much I tried to move on, I always found myself coming back to the same thing, creating content. It’s something I’ve always loved doing, and I’ve finally realized that it’s not about age; it’s about passion.
I remember someone once asked me, “Why don’t you use your Twitter followers (back when it was Twitter, now X) to sell something or ask for donations?” That’s just not who I am. I’ve never wanted to use my audience for anything like that, and for a long time, that mindset held me back. I thought I had to be perfect or have some grand purpose to create content. But here’s the truth: the internet isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real. It’s about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and just enjoying the process.
Now, I’m done letting those doubts hold me back. I’ve decided to focus on what I love doing, whether it’s photography, live streaming, or sharing videos of my hobbies. I’m even uploading my old YouTube videos again, revisiting the content that made me happy back then. I’ve created playlists on my channel, and while I’m currently focusing on losing weight and improving my health, I’m gearing up to start live streaming soon. This time, I’m not going to let self-doubt stop me.
Creating content has always been a part of my life, even when I thought I was done with it. I’ve realized that it’s okay to do something just because you love it. Whether it’s sharing stories, giving tips and tricks about web design, or talking about my passion for electronics on my podcast, it all brings me joy. By the way, you can hear more about my early days with electronics in “Alex Shaikh Podcast Episode 1, Season 1“
I also want to share a bit about the future. I’m working on building a space where people can find all my content from YouTube playlists to live streams and blog posts. My goal is to inspire others who might feel like they’ve “missed their chance” or are “too old” to start something new. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s never too late to pursue your passion and do what makes you happy.
So here I am, ready to fully commit to the creator in me. If there’s something you love doing, whether it’s a hobby, a career, or just something you enjoy sharing with the world, don’t let doubt stop you. The internet is a vast and wonderful place, and there’s room for all of us to be ourselves. Let’s just do what we love.
