Better Late Than Never, Why I’m Finally Plotting a New Course

They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

I’ve spent over 30 years in the corporate "engine room." I’ve seen the industry evolve, technologies rise and fall, and the pace of development shift from a steady stroll to a frantic sprint. For a long time, I’ve been planning an exit—a bridge from the corporate grind to a simpler life by the sea.

If I’m being honest, my hard drive is a graveyard of "unrealised projects." Ideas started in a burst of inspiration and left half-finished when the demands of a 40-hour work week and the realities of life took over.

But I’m getting older, and I’ve realized that if I want to achieve the lifestyle I’ve been dreaming of, the time to start is right now.

#Introducing Code and Sea

Code and Sea is my solo indie venture. It isn’t a "hustle" and it isn’t a "startup" in the traditional sense. It’s an outpost—a quiet place where I can build simple, valuable tools that solve real problems without the bloat, the noise, or the endless subscription fees.

This journey is personal. Part of my drive comes from managing ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Living with a chronic illness forces a certain kind of clarity; it teaches you that your energy is a finite, precious resource. You stop building "fluff" because you literally don’t have the energy for it. You focus on what matters.

#The First Anchor: Transcendence

I decided that the first project to leave the graveyard and become a reality would be Transcendence.

I started practicing Transcendental Meditation in July 2016 and have never missed a day since. Over those years, I grew tired of "meditation apps" that felt more like social networks or data-harvesting machines. I needed a tool that matched the simplicity of the practice itself. So, I’m building my own.

It’s an iOS app (with more Apple platforms to follow) that focuses on privacy, simplicity, and a "buy-it-once" ownership model. No subscriptions. No noise. Just a timer that respects your practice.

#The Journey Ahead

For now, I’m still working the "grind." Code and Sea is a part-time endeavor, built in the margins of my day. But the goal is clear: to build a bridge to a coastal life where work matches the rhythm of the tide.

I plan to post here once or twice a month with updates on my progress, the technical hurdles of a solo dev, and the reality of balancing health and a career.

If you’d like to follow along as I build this bridge to the coast, sign up to our mailing list and join the journey. Stay tuned.