Separation of concerns

In software, we have a concept known as separation of concerns. The idea is that parts of your code do different, single things, so there's less overlap. Maybe an analog in real life is the difference between a multi-tool and discreet screwdrivers and wrenches. You may know from experience that the multi-tool can technically do the job of many tools, but it probably doesn't do any of them as well as the discreet tools. But in software, the biggest benefit is that the discreet bits are easier to maintain. If you wrote code to launch a rocket, you wouldn't do it all as one continuous block. Instead, you would have different parts to monitor pressure, open and close valves, gimbal the engines, etc.

In life, whether or not we separate our concerns I think depends a lot on what we do to make money. I suspect that most of us who are not artists try to create some separation between home and work, the so-called work-life balance. I used to be able to separate the two pretty easily. I've never really made work part of my identity, but what's interesting is how it seems harder to separate the two the longer I'm at a job. My current gig is the second longest I've been at any job, and it'll be the longest in January. With time, I think it's natural to care more. What I find challenging is that, when things are challenging, it's harder to separate work from home. I've had a few weeks recently where my frustration levels were high, and I found it difficult to approach things more clinically and less emotionally (and it's mostly been with stuff outside of my team). So I end up bringing that frustration home, think about it in the shower and generally feel cognitively spent by the time the weekend rolls around.

I imagine that most people derive value out of what they do, they're proud of a job well done, and they enjoy it to some degree. I'm no different. But really, it's the people engagement that's rewarding. I can't tell you what specifically I was doing at work 20 years ago, but I do remember the people. Despite this, in the moment, we place so much emphasis on the work itself, and the outcomes affect the way we feel in the short term. Isn't that weird?

My suspicion is that it's different for people who make art. Even if you were just a PA on the set of the first Star Wars, you remember that job. Musicians, actors, lighting designers, grips, electricians... anyone who is putting on a show... I'm not sure how you could separate those jobs from your life or identity. That's why I envy people who are able to make a living doing that stuff. I make the assumption that if you have fewer separation of concerns, you feel more fulfilled and have a sense of purpose.

To be clear, I like what I do. I've been in a position to solve real problems with technology, and that is validating for sure. But I like being able to walk away from it on a Friday night and dive into hobbies, movies, video games or whatever. It's just felt harder to do that lately. I talk about that pendulum of engagement where work is just something you have to do at one end, to being the thing that defines you at the other end. Surely the right spot on that arc is somewhere closer to the middle.