I live and breathe technology, so why do I feel the draw towards the simplistic?
This is something that’s been bugging me for some time. As much as I love technology and all the advancements the human race has made, I feel the urge to give it all up and move to a cabin in the woods. Now I’m no psychologist, but if I had to diagnose myself, I would say I’m suffering from overexposure or technological burnout. I will admit, there are days where I find it difficult to focus on one aspect of my life, amongst the chaos that surrounds me. It is at that point I find my mind wandering through the forest, feeling the grass under my feet, and the cool breeze blowing through the leaves. It’s at that moment I feel most at ease. No notifications, no hum of power supplies, just nature in its purest form.
I often wonder what it would be like to live a simpler life, free of the ravages of modern technology. This is a strange fascination coming from someone who has made a career out of technology. There was a time in my life when I was at a crossroads, I was torn between embracing the world of computers, or following in my family’s footsteps and becoming a mechanic. At one point I also had a third option, to become a farmer. Computers ultimately won, primarily because I was very good at it, and quickly turned a hobby into a career. I still dabble in mechanics and small-scale farming, but computers are what I do, and it’s been a big part of my life since I was 10 years old.
Feeling the pull to give it all up can be confusing, thankfully it’s not as black and white as it may seem. I can still be the Uber-Geek, yet drop it all and spend time in nature, I think doing so would help me cope with the ever-increasing madness that the computer field brings.
We all struggle with some part of our lives, how we deal with the struggle, and resolve our issues, defines who we are.