From graduate school to now, the priority has always been empirical research. It's the usual course for a scientist: Designing experiments followed by data collection, testing, interpretation, and publication. It's the essence of what scientists do.
What happens though when you're at the end of your career? Collecting data doesn't seem so pressing anymore, plus the task of collecting data seems harder to accomplish now. There's also a feeling that maybe the ideas in my niche area of expertise are about played out. It's time to move on to something new, something perhaps even better.
My path away from data collection has begun. The specialized research PC was recently sent to surplus because it's outdated. Yesterday, I submitted what will likely be my last paper based on empirical data that I've collected. There are no new plans to start future experiments.
The new goal is to write about topics in my field of experties. It's a wrap-up of thoughts that will span the next several years. Moving on to the next phase feels good. I'm interested in exploring ideas rather than obsessing about data collection and analysis. Writing feels more free when it is unburdened by data collection.
This blog will be part of the new emphasis on writing. I've tried blogging before, but it's always ended in nothing. There were too many distractions. Well, now that the data collection is set aside there is more time to write.
I look forward to using Mataroa for the blogging platform. Other platforms have always seemed too feature-heavy. The aim will be to just write and not worry too much about how it looks. This also fits my inclination towards minimalistic, highly focused design. Fingers crossed that this will be a good move.