#logo-with-lines { max-height: 50vh; margin: auto; background: radial-gradient(white 30%, transparent 80%); display: block; } I recently stumbled across The Oatmeal’s series on Creativity. While all of it is spot on, the part on erasers hit especially hard. “There is a lot of shame associated with backpedaling; things like quitting your job, getting a divorce, or simply starting over are considered shameful. But forward isn’t always progress. And backward isn’t always regress. Sometimes going down the wrong path isn’t a mistake — it’s a construction line.” — Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal) It was exactly what I needed to hear. You see, only a few days prior, Font Awesome and I had parted ways — the end of a short, but transformative chapter. I’m proud of what we built together, and grateful for what I learned along the way. But it was time to move on. Jobs are a lot like relationships. They often start with infatuation — and end with the realization that you’re simply not compatible, and that’s no-one’s fault. Letting go always stings, even when it’s the right call. There’s always grief: when you’re not ready to move on, you grieve the bond; when you are, you grieve your expectations. But every ending leaves behind clarity — about who you are, and what makes you happy. The pursuit of happiness Today is my 39th birthday — and this summer marks 20 years since I first dipped my toes into this industry. Naturally, I’ve been doing a lot of reflection.

Lea Verou

Lea Verou reflects on her career transition after leaving Font Awesome, sharing insights about what drives professional happiness: autonomy, breadth, and impact. She discusses the value of diverse skillsets across web standards, product design, and developer relations, arguing against narrow specialization. Verou announces her return to consulting and entrepreneurship while making her open source work financially sustainable through sponsorship platforms.

Construction Lines • Lea Verou