I use to write my websites by hand in HTML/CSS, content included. I kind of miss it, however, there were a LOT of manual things. I then started using WordPress but, admittedly, did miss the customization opportunities (though I could have learned how to create WordPress themes I suppose).
I did check out/try Jekyll (I think it as Jekyll. Was something similar) for static website generation but I missed the plug-ins and other integrations that WordPress allowed/included. I also preferred the way WordPress automated image handling. I did like the idea of a simple site, integrated with GitHub, and free hosting though.
Thankfully, for me, I didn’t mind writing content in markdown format, and even after switching back to WordPress I still write my posts in markdown in Obsidian and then copy and paste them into the WordPress editor before adding any needed images/videos and then publishing.
If I may ask, is there anything specific you don’t like about markdown? Sorry for the wall of text!