You will grow out of that

1 Jan, 2024

When I started working, and even during my degree, superiors and teachers often told me, "You will grow out of that soon enough," referring to my fascination with exploring technologies that were either uncommon or deemed impractical. Those remarks lingered in my head for quite some time.

I describe myself as a tinkerer—not in real life, as I am as clumsy as they come, but in the digital domain. I love discovering new tools, experimenting with different Linux distros, and diving into emerging technologies and vulnerabilities. This curiosity is what fuels my personal growth and keeps me engaged with my work.

Fast forward to today, and those comments still echo in my mind. One person kept predicting that I'd eventually "settle down" and switch back to using plain old Windows instead of sticking with Arch Linux (I’m still on Arch, by the way). Some even believed my interest in bleeding-edge tech would fade. But here I am, still eager to explore new innovations in tech.

It turns out, I didn’t grow out of it; I grew into it. The technology landscape is always shifting, offering new challenges and opportunities to adapt and learn.

This might not seem groundbreaking to many, but for my younger self, it was a significant realization. To anyone out there who’s been told the same thing, let me assure you: maintaining your curiosity is a strength, not a weakness. Keep nurturing your interests, explore what’s on the edge of your knowledge, and let your curiosity drive you through the ever-evolving tech landscape. There’s no shame in being the person who’s immersed in a unique version of Gentoo, building a custom Neovim setup, or testing out new workflows. Every bit of knowledge you gain will come in handy at some point. Own it.

If you've been told to "grow out of" your passion for tinkering or experimenting, remember: you're not just holding onto something impractical—you're cultivating a mindset that keeps you adaptable and ahead of the curve. Let your curiosity guide you, because it's what will keep you pushing forward in a field that never stops changing.