For a while now, my fingers have hovered over the keyboard, ready to share thoughts, insights, and experiences from the world of design and technology. But lately, that urge has been met with a growing sense of… well, frustration. Not with the act of writing itself, which I still enjoy, but with the overwhelming echo chamber that the online world, and particularly the tech sphere, has become.

Everywhere I look, there's a cacophony of voices. LinkedIn feeds are flooded with carefully curated portrayals of "success," often dripping with a toxicity that subtly (or not so subtly) implies that if you're not achieving this specific milestone, you're somehow falling short. It's a highlight reel, meticulously crafted to showcase the wins, often obscuring the struggles and the sheer luck that can play a part.

Then there's the constant stream of commentary on the problems within the tech industry. And while these conversations are undoubtedly important, a nagging question keeps popping into my head: how much of this is actually translating into tangible change? We dissect the issues of bias, ethics, and sustainability, often with insightful analysis, but the action, the actual building of solutions, sometimes feels… absent.

The irony isn't lost on me either. We worry about the demise of our high streets whilst buying from Amazon. We worry about the failure of democracy whilst allowing UGC the same level of authority as professional journalism. We critique the addictive algorithms while scrolling through our feeds. We even discuss the detrimental effects that social media has on our children, on social media whilst placing ads on social media to fund more enagagement on social media. It's a paradox that feels increasingly difficult to reconcile.

It's like we're all standing around a leaky pipe, pointing out the dripping and debating the best way to fix it, while the water continues to flood the room at an increasing rate from new leaks. The energy spent on analysing the problem, let alone contributing to the problem sometimes feels like it overshadows the effort required to actually grab a wrench and start tightening the bolts.

And honestly, I've been part of that conversation too. Occasionally sharing my thoughts and more often contributing to the discussions. But lately, I've felt a growing disconnect. I'm tired of adding to the noise. I'm yearning to be fully focused as part of the solution, not just the analysis.

This isn't to say that talking is inherently bad. Dialogue is crucial for understanding and identifying problems. But at some point, the talking needs to translate into doing. We need less pontificating and more building. Less complaining and more creating.

So, this is where I step back, at least for a little while. I'm putting a pause on my blogging and social commentary. My focus is shifting. I'm channeling my energy into the "wrench-grabbing" phase. I'm dedicating all my time and effort to building tech that can actually make a positive difference, however long it takes and however small the change.

The problems we face are complex and require multifaceted solutions. But I believe that meaningful change comes from those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and build. And right now, that's where I feel I need to be.

I'm not disappearing entirely. I'll still be around, engaging in different ways including organising in-person meet ups through ‘Good add Ventures’, supporting impact startups through our agencies ‘Level Up’ CSR initiative and mentoring external tech incubators. But for now, any public talking or writing is taking a backseat to the build. I'm excited about this total shift in focus and the opportunity to contribute in a more meaningful and tangible way.

Perhaps, when I return, I'll have more to share about the solutions we've been creating through our agency and tech-for-good venture studio, rather than spend any of my available time adding to the noise.