Introduction
In an era where data is currency and privacy is a luxury, self-hosting has become my sanctuary. By controlling my own digital ecosystem, I’ve gained autonomy, security, and a sense of peace. Below, I’ll walk you through the services I run on my home network, how they interconnect, and why they matter.
1. Pi-Hole
The first line of defense
What it is: A network-wide ad and tracker blocker.
Why it matters: The internet is a minefield of ads and tracking scripts. Pi-Hole sits between my devices and the router, filtering out malicious or intrusive content before it reaches my network.
2. Vaultwarden
Password Management Without Compromise
What it is: A self-hosted alternative to Bitwarden.
Why it matters: I refuse to trust cloud-based password managers. Vaultwarden gives me full control over my credentials while offering encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA).
3. Paperless-ngx
Optmizing My Digital Life
What it is: A document management system for bills, receipts, and notes.
Why it matters: Paper cluttered my desk. Now, all my documents are searchable, tagged, and accessible from anywhere.
Note: MAKE BACKUPS!
4. Ntfy (+ MollySocket)
Push Notifications at Your Fingertips
What it is: A lightweight push notification server with a WebSocket client.
Why it matters: I need alerts for server status, weather, or even my coffee maker. Ntfy lets me send notifications via email, SMS, or mobile apps.
Pro Tip: If you use Molly (fork of Signal android client) you can use MollySocket to get notifications from your ntfy server.
5. Jellyfin
My Media Server
What it is: A self-hosted media player for movies, TV shows, and music.
Why it matters: No more relying on Netflix or Spotify. Jellyfin lets me stream my own library with friends or family.
Pro Tip: Streamyfin is a great mobile client.
6. Personal Website
A Digital Home
What it is: A static site like Hugo with a blog, portfolio, and API docs or a full CMS like Wordpress.
Why it matters: A central hub for my projects, writing, and tools.
Pro Tip: Use DuckDNS for free (sub)domain.
7. Traefik
The Reverse Proxy
What it is: A dynamic reverse proxy and load balancer.
Why it matters: Traefik handles HTTPS (via Let’s Encrypt), routing, and security headers for all my services.
Pro Tip: Using Docker or Podman for all your service makes routing seamless.
8. WireGuard
Secure VPN Access
What it is: A fast, lightweight VPN.
Why it matters: I need to access my services remotely without exposing them to the internet.
Final Thoughts
Self-hosting isn’t for everyone, but for me, it’s about sovereignty. I control my data, my privacy, and my tools. It’s not always easy—there are bugs, downtime, and learning curves—but the satisfaction of a well-oiled digital sanctuary is worth it.
Stay tuned, and may your data be secure! 🚀