When My Blog Had a Minor Identity Crisis

Apparently, my blog decided to have a little identity crisis while I wasn’t looking.

The other day, I tried opening my blog, and instead of the familiar page, I was greeted by a message every blogger dreads:

“Your connection is not private.”

HSTS errors, security warnings, even strange notices suggesting the site might not be safe… My blog was clearly having an identity crisis.

For a moment, I panicked. Had I done something wrong while updating my pages? Was all my work suddenly unsafe?

It felt like a mess.

I tried opening it on another device. Same error. Another browser? Still the same warning. My imagination went wild.

But after testing with a VPN and Private DNS, the blog loaded perfectly. 

Here’s what I know for sure:

• The blog is safe. It uses HTTPS and Google’s encryption.

• The warnings are caused by network, browser, or DNS issues.

• Other sites have shown similar warnings to users recently, so this is not unique to this blog.

Even with a few false alarms, the blog remained exactly what it had always been: a place for thoughts, reflections, and stories that come after the misses and the mess.

Even the blog about navigating messes had to go through one.

Thankfully, this one was only technical.

A gentle note for anyone reading: The internet can be quirky, and while warnings should always be taken seriously, this blog is secure and ready for you. Always check URLs before entering personal information.

If You Encounter the Same Issue

If you ever see a “connection not private” message when trying to open a website, here are a couple of things that helped me access the blog while the warning appeared.

These are simply troubleshooting steps that may help if a network is interfering with how a website loads.

1. Using Private DNS on Mobile (Android)

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to Network & Internet or Connections.

3. Tap Private DNS.

4. Select Private DNS provider hostname.

5. Enter: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com

6. Save the setting and try opening the site again.

This uses a secure DNS service from Cloudflare.

2. Using Secure DNS on a Laptop Browser

Browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge allow you to change DNS settings.

1. Open your browser Settings.

2. Go to Privacy and Security.

3. Find Use Secure DNS.

4. Turn it ON.

5. Choose a provider such as Cloudflare.

6. Refresh the website.

3. Using a VPN (Mobile or Laptop)

Another option is using a VPN.

1. Install a trusted VPN app.

2. Connect to a server.

3. Try accessing the website again

Sometimes these settings help resolve network issues that trigger security warnings.

A friendly reminder: Security warnings should always be taken seriously. If a website ever looks suspicious, avoid entering personal information until you’re sure the connection is safe.

💌 Subscribe to Miss and Mess
A journal of reflections, resilience, and the quiet power of living through life’s misses and messes.
Scroll below and hit “Yes to the Mess” — and never miss a post.