When a Kindy Cold Turns into a Reset

(and Why I’m Rebuilding My PC… Again)

It’s been a slow couple of weeks.

Some weeks, life forces you to slow down whether you want to or not. That’s exactly where I’ve been—knocked about by a kindy cold that decided to overstay its welcome. It started innocently enough: my kid came home, looking sweet, but actually carrying a microscopic biological weapon. What began as a harmless little sniffle turned into two weeks of coughing, tiredness, and a growing suspicion that my immune system has just put in its resignation.

Productivity? Let’s just say it’s been on an extended coffee break.

We don’t always get to pick when life hits pause. But even when you’re stuck resting, the mind doesn’t stop wandering. And if you’re wired anything like me, it always drifts toward projects. So, while I was horizontal and contemplating my life choices, my brain wandered to other projects; the kind you can do in your pyjamas, with one eye open.

The Yearly Fresh Install Ritual (and the Windows 11 Downgrade)

I’ve never trusted in-place Windows upgrades. Too many digital ghosts, weird quirks, and the kind of leftover files that make you question your life decisions. It’s like slapping a fresh coat of paint over a wall that’s already peeling—sure, it’s technically “done,” but you know it’s going to haunt you.

With Windows 11 lurking like a software taxman, I’m prepping for the annual clean install. Well, “prepping” might be generous. I’m still building up the confidence (and, let’s be honest, the free weekend) to actually pull the trigger. Back up the files, make a checklist, and prepare for the inevitable “why is my printer now speaking in tongues?” moment. At this point, it’s a ritual: every year or two, wipe it all and start fresh. There’s a weird joy in booting up a system that isn’t weighed down by years of digital junk and questionable downloads.

But this time, the rebuild isn’t just about digital spring cleaning. It’s a mini-reset—something to focus on that isn’t work, health, or the existential dread of another box of tissues.

Researching Hardware Upgrades (Preparing for the Next Frontier)

While I’ve been sidelined, another project has been quietly plotting in the background: building a budget-friendly workstation for AI learning and technical tinkering.

This isn’t about my writing. This is about looking ahead—toward the next wave of tech and skills that might actually pay for my coffee habit. AI is moving fast. I don’t need to be on the bleeding edge, but I’d like to at least be in the same postcode.

The good news? You don’t need to sell a kidney to build a decent system. With a bit of research (and a healthy scepticism for marketing hype), there are plenty of older GPUs and CPUs that still pack a punch. For me, it’s not about building a NASA control centre; it’s about having a reliable sandbox where I can break things, learn, and maybe even fix them again.

Planning a build while sick has been the perfect distraction. It’s productive, but not urgent. It gives me the thrill of looking forward to a fresh install that (hopefully) doesn’t blue screen before I’ve even installed Zen browser.

Moving Forward (Slowly, But Moving)

So, while I’m still shaking off the last of this cold, I’m also lining up a few resets—both digital and personal. The PC will get a fresh start, my files will (fingers crossed) end up where they belong, and I’ll keep tinkering with projects that don’t mind if I need a nap halfway through.

If you’re in the same boat, feeling stuck, slowed down by life, but still itching to do something, I get it. Sometimes progress is just clearing out the old files, both literal and metaphorical, and giving yourself permission to start fresh.

Progress doesn’t always look like big leaps. Sometimes it’s just moving forward, one small project, one cleared folder, or one deep breath at a time.