I’m struggling to disconnect from work. I’ve been working on an interesting problem for the last couple of weeks (compacting change data capture events from sharded MySQL servers into BigQuery). It’s an interesting technical problem. There are lots of optimization opportunities and novel patterns I can introduce.

I’m on vacation for the next two weeks but since starting my trip my mind keeps returning to the problem. I’ve even solved a few issues and come up with new patterns to try while daydreaming as we travel. Obviously I haven’t implemented any changes, I deliberately didn’t bring my work laptop with me. I emailed those solutions to my work email address so they get out of my head but that hasn’t helped. I just visualized more optimizations while hiking today.

There is no expectations from my leadership to work while on vacation.

How do others disconnect from work when I enjoy the problem solving aspects of my work?

  • Silvercloudfox@libranet.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    @Greg If you’re on vacation alone that’s one thing, if on vacation with family/friends then you run the risk of appearing antisocial but possibly also missing out on quality time that you will never get back. Life is short, hold on to the treasured memories. You will never find the time for that, you need to make the time.

    I guess there are so many different ways to disconnect and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. You need to find something outside of work that is of interest to you or that you feel you can become more interested in.

    Generally I think most of modern society tends to be fast paced (that in itself does not always lend itself to easily disconnecting). Things like mediation introduce the concept of the complete opposite which can be no bad thing? (As an aside there’s an interesting TED talk about why work doesn’t get done at work)

    The world is a big place with many cultures, but sometimes I wonder if something of our “ancient ways” have been lost to the modern world (especially in the west). One reason I was drawn to Japanese concepts of Ikigai, Ichigo ichie, wabi sabi.

    Disconnecting can be good and healthy but not at the risk of a lack of engagement with others who may be looking to enjoy time with you.

    Your work will still be waiting for you, so no rush to get back (you likely won’t be thanked for it anyway). Hope you enjoy your vacation and truly make the time to “slow down” and unwind.