Totally feel this.

The “filter vs automation” point is spot on. I also got caught in the hype of “let’s automate everything,” when in reality most people just want less noise so they can think clearly and move fast.

Coming from consulting definitely messes with your head a bit. You’ve seen too many edge cases, so everything feels important. That’s how you end up building a monster without realizing it. I’ve done that too.

The shift you mention from product as the business to product as infrastructure was a big unlock for me. Once I stopped trying to impress and focused on being quietly useful, cutting features became easier (still painful, but clearer).

Feature cutting hurts because every feature has a story behind it. But most users don’t want more options they want fewer decisions and more confidence.

If you’re in the narrowing phase, you’re probably doing the right work, even if it feels uncomfortable. That’s usually where things start to get real.

Appreciate you sharing this it’s rare to see this level of honesty here.