In the tech industry, we’re often driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, efficiency, and growth. I’ve built my career in this space, starting with this very technical blog, leading into organizing public engineering meetups, and eventually in various roles in the tech industry ranging from individual contributor to management. However, my journey wasn’t defined solely by career milestones or technological achievements. My passion for technology has always been paired with something that feeds a different part of me—music.

I’m not just talking about listening to a good playlist during maintenance shifts in the data center. I’m talking about arranging harmonies, exploring chord progressions on my guitar, and feeling the joy of creating soundscapes that resonate deeply. This isn’t just a hobby for weekends; it’s an integral part of who I am, and for a long time, it was something I deliberately treated as second place, and separate from my professional life. That changed when I experienced a transformative event in 2023: a community jam in Lambertville, NJ.

Discovering the Power of Community

The Lambertville gathering was unlike anything I’d experienced. It wasn’t just a room full of musicians; it was a space filled with people who found meaning in coming together purely for the sake of connection and creativity. This inspired me to create my own local music collective in southeastern Pennsylvania, a place where people could meet, play, and build relationships that went beyond office small talk or professional networking.

In an age when many communities are formed around shared grievances or political alignments, finding one centered on a shared joy felt rare and revolutionary.

Music became the anchor for a group of people who needed a place that wasn’t work or home—a “third place” where they could belong.

The Importance of the Third Place

The “third place” is a concept sociologists often refer to—a space that isn’t your home or your job but where you feel part of a community. For previous generations, this might have been a church, a local bar, or even a hobby club. But for many in today’s tech-centric world, these third places have become scarce and supplanted by the pretense of social media and office culture.

People who don’t participate in traditional religious institutions or aren’t drawn to bar culture often struggle to find a space where they can unwind and engage meaningfully. The pandemic didn’t help, isolating many and shifting social interactions online in ways that deepened the divide. While virtual meetups and group chats serve a purpose, they don’t replicate the spontaneous energy of in-person creative activities conducted without the pressures of work.

Founding and launching my music collective filled that gap for me and numerous others. We gather in a room to chat, play, experiment, and learn from each other. We share our honest opinions, not whitewashed to be palatable, but our true unfiltered selves. The focus isn’t on being perfect; it is on participating. What started as an idea blossomed into a tight-knit community, proving that adults crave real connections that don’t revolve around work or family responsibilities.

The Barriers We Build

Why do we hide our passions? As a systems engineer, my roles have involved maintaining data centers and handling operational challenges — work that demands focus and constant vigilance. The pressure to perform, and the cultural undertone that personal interests are distractions, reinforced the idea that only work-related skills were worth discussing. In musical circles, we even have self-inflicted jovial terms like “blues lawyer” or more recently, “ambient engineer”, poking fun at those who make their career outside of music and spend their free time and income on music. For many, this can exasperate worries about how our authentic selves will be perceived in a world that seems to reward conformity.

When I started talking about my passion for music, I realized how unfounded these fears were. I didn’t face judgment; if anything, people were intrigued. Some even opened up first. One colleague shared that he built guitar pedals in his spare time, combining technical expertise with creative design. It was a reminder that we all contain multitudes, and sharing those layers can generate surprising results.

We often fear that talking about non-professional passions might make us seem less committed or distract from career goals. The reality is quite the opposite. Sharing what excites us can humanize us, breaking down the walls that rigid professionalism can build. When coworkers see each other as complete people—more than a job title—the atmosphere shifts. We trust each other more, collaborate more willingly, and start seeing each other as teammates rather than just resources. This outcome is not attributable to ideas like return to office mandates or water cooler small talk, but natural, non-defensive communications occurring between adults. We get to learn about each other directly, rather than allowing the unknowns about our fellow humans to be filled in with prejudices fueled by the unceasing narratives of suspicion and distrust we find in anonymous online discourse and reinforced through media outlets.

Reclaiming Time and Mental Space

The demands of modern life can make time feel like a luxury, but pursuing what you love isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. I’ve found that the only way to prioritize these passions is to make time and be unapologetic about it. If you are a creative person living in today’s utilitarian society, planning time in advance—whether that means scheduling a recurring jam session or setting aside an afternoon for experimenting with art supplies—removes the guilt of stepping away from work or household responsibilities. Everyone knows the plan, and that makes all the difference.

This practice isn’t just for my benefit; it sets an example for others, including our children. They see that being an adult means having passions beyond work and the constant grind. It’s a reminder that a life well-lived includes creativity and exploration, not just professional duties and screen time.

Moving Past Myths and Misconceptions

If I could dispel one myth about balancing a career with personal passions, it would be the belief that dedicating time to pursuits unrelated to your job is wasteful. On the contrary, engaging in activities you love makes you more complete and fulfilled, which reflects in your work. You’re not a machine or a cog within, despite how modern industry framing you this way, you’re a human being with a rich inner world that deserves expression. I know none of these concepts are revolutionary, but a reminder of this inevitable truth is worthwhile.

I’ve also noticed that many people hesitate to pursue their passions unless they can justify them in terms of productivity or financial gain. American hustle culture has exasperated this problem, and by participating in activities that bring you joy, then sharing that joy with others, you will be countering the negative effects of hustle culture on the mental health of our society. Joy doesn’t need to be monetized to be valuable. I’ve had countless conversations where friends expressed interest in starting a hobby but felt guilty about it not being “useful.” That mindset is a trap.

Final Thoughts: Inspire and Be Inspired

What do I hope you take away from this? Confidence. Confidence to share the parts of yourself that don’t fit neatly into your job description. Confidence to create or join that “third place,” where passion, community, and connection thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how life changes when you embrace what lights you up inside. Don’t wait for permission—find your music, your craft, your joy—and share it. You might just inspire others to do the same.

What passions do you pursue outside of your professional life? Share your thoughts in the comments.