It's not lost on me the bit of irony that surrounds the almost universal desire of software developers to fantasize about doing things as far removed from computers and screens as possible when they're done with the profession. It doesn't take much time hanging around software circles to hear people musing about wanting to leave software and work with their hands. Longing for a simpler existence than working in the modern tech industry provides. I'm sure this is not a feeling unique to folks who spend all day working intimately with computers but there is a deep kernel of truth in the fact that even the makers of the software the world uses every day dream about reducing the amount of technology in their lives.

Starting at the end of 2023 and continuing for the first couple months of 2024 I have been reading quite a bit. The change of pace and  time away from technology has been quite nice. I still spend plenty of time in front of my computer and on the internet, as is my job, but there has been something deeply refreshing about spending free time reading instead of watching YouTube or TikTok or scrolling Twitter. I think the thing I have been appreciating the most is the quiet time that reading affords. Sitting with a window open, engrossed in a book, enjoying just the sounds of the world has been a fun and refreshing way to spend my free time outside of work.

Here's to spending more time on activities that bring us away from our phones and computers this year.

Cheers!