How this blog works
date
Nov 2, 2025
slug
how-blog-works-no-self-hosting
status
Published
tags
Tech Stack
summary
How I migrated this blog from a DIY stack to a new setup using Nobelium, a Notion-based starter that pairs Notion with Next.js. This new setup, deployed on Vercel, automates many tasks, including SSL certificate renewal and site deployment, allowing me to focus on writing.
type
Post
For years I ran this site on a DIY stack: a VPS, a weblog engine, and a recurring calendar reminder to log in and renew the TLS certificate before it lapsed. It felt empowering at first, but the maintenance treadmill, especially chasing expiring SSL certs, slowly drained the fun out of posting. I wanted the control of self-hosting without the stress of playing midnight sysadmin and the speed of Next.js static pages. I’ve been looking a solution for years. Then I stumbled upon Nobelium.
From Servers to a Notion Page
These days every post on the site starts as a simple Notion page. I duplicated the Nobelium template, dropped
it into my workspace, and pointed the project at that shared database. Notion gives me the writing environment I already live in, plus tags, drafts, and filters with zero configuration. When I press “Publish” in Notion, the content is already structured for the site, no markdown exports or front‑matter required. And the refresh is fast.
Meet the Stack
The front end is built with Nobelium, an open-source starter that pairs Notion with Next.js. Nobelium pulls new content through Notion’s API, renders it with
react-notion-x, and bakes the whole thing into static pages. That means the site is fast, accessible, and easy to theme with Tailwind CSS.Deployment now lives on Vercel. A fresh build kicks off automatically the moment I update content in Notion, thanks to incremental static regeneration. I no longer SSH into a server or babysit Docker containers; Vercel
handles the infrastructure, global CDN, and uptime monitoring behind the scenes.
The End of Certificate Churn
The biggest quality-of-life win: I never think about TLS certificates anymore. Vercel provisions and renews SSL
for the custom domain automatically. No more surprise downtime when Let’s Encrypt runs out, no more messing with
certbot, and no more calendar reminders. Publishing from My Phone
One unexpected bonus: I can publish from anywhere using the Notion mobile app. Whether I'm commuting, waiting in line, or inspiration strikes while I'm away from my desk, I can draft, edit, and hit publish right from my phone. The post goes live within seconds, no laptop required. Loving it.
Publishing Is Finally Fun Again
Today’s workflow is simple:
- Draft and polish in Notion.
- Hit publish.
- Let Vercel rebuild and refresh the static site a minute later.
If I want to tweak the look or add features, I still have the full Next.js project in the repo, so the door to
customization stays open. But the routine friction that kept me from writing is gone.
If you’ve been clinging to a self-hosted blog out of principle while dreading the maintenance, consider stealing this setup. Less time wrangling servers, more time sharing learnings, that’s a trade I’ll take every time.