I feel like I'm 5 years into what you are describing. From time to time I start to get that lost feeling too these days.
In my mind I have it mapped out that I only really have to do this another 8 or so years.
Then just go on whatever the hell journey seems the most interesting once finances are no longer the main priority.
But during that 8 year trek I struggle with "now that side projects and learning new tech are no longer fun by default, how do I make them fun because otherwise the fact that they completely consume 100% of my free time sometimes makes me mildly depressed."
I feel like I'm 5 years into what you are describing. From time to time I start to get that lost feeling too these days.
In my mind I have it mapped out that I only really have to do this another 8 or so years.
Then just go on whatever the hell journey seems the most interesting once finances are no longer the main priority.
But during that 8 year trek I struggle with "now that side projects and learning new tech are no longer fun by default, how do I make them fun because otherwise the fact that they completely consume 100% of my free time sometimes makes me mildly depressed."