Maybe you are too deep to look out...
Stop HN. Stop Mashable. Stop RSS. Stop all your sources that keep you up-to-date... Hopefully, in a few days, some bit of enthusiasm may return. Right now you might be too attached. Let go for a while.
My suggestion off the first <br> would've been take a long-long break.
But then, you mention, its not in the picture. You have a family.
So take a break anyways.
Break from your routine. From your job. Not right now, but lay the first stones.
Find good freelance solutions. 15 yrs in, I'm sure you wouldn't need elance, freelance.com to get you work.
You must be having some connections. If you feel you don't try to figure that out.
So that in the next couple months, you are ready to put down your papers (assuming you are at a regular job).
That is the break you need. A break from the norm.
You say you still have enthusiasm for the industry, that is great after 15 yrs. I'm ~5 yrs in, and pretty sure I'll burn up quicker than you. Feel really great about it. And try to channel it.
Another route. Have you tried getting a little off-hands. A tech-lead, architect sorts roles. They are usually balanced with you typing code, and not. Pays better. With your source of inspirations, I'm sure you would love that role. It has its own challenges, but they will be a different kind to you...
And yeah, try to venture into newer areas in your free time. If you are a network engg, try web dev. If you're a web dev, try machine learning.
Long term advice: Look to join a startup, a fairly stable one, since you need some kind of stability. Challenges there are multi-fold and multi-dimensional. That should keep you hooked on for a good few years.
My suggestion off the first <br> would've been take a long-long break. But then, you mention, its not in the picture. You have a family.
So take a break anyways. Break from your routine. From your job. Not right now, but lay the first stones.
Find good freelance solutions. 15 yrs in, I'm sure you wouldn't need elance, freelance.com to get you work. You must be having some connections. If you feel you don't try to figure that out.
So that in the next couple months, you are ready to put down your papers (assuming you are at a regular job). That is the break you need. A break from the norm.
You say you still have enthusiasm for the industry, that is great after 15 yrs. I'm ~5 yrs in, and pretty sure I'll burn up quicker than you. Feel really great about it. And try to channel it.
Another route. Have you tried getting a little off-hands. A tech-lead, architect sorts roles. They are usually balanced with you typing code, and not. Pays better. With your source of inspirations, I'm sure you would love that role. It has its own challenges, but they will be a different kind to you...
And yeah, try to venture into newer areas in your free time. If you are a network engg, try web dev. If you're a web dev, try machine learning.
Long term advice: Look to join a startup, a fairly stable one, since you need some kind of stability. Challenges there are multi-fold and multi-dimensional. That should keep you hooked on for a good few years.