Former PM here. Cannot agree more. My right to create was constrained by process and I ceased to see myself as technological. I moved to comms, never been happier and I code for my own entertainment and to do sysadmin and data analytics in various ways.
Blogging and podcasting. Fortnightly <1hr recording on network/Internet issues and measurement, and blog pieces on issues which catch my eye in the tech space & relate to the context my employer functions in.
The same applies to project managers, which is why I no longer work in that role. Just hire a competent team, and the "manager" role should be that of a "servant leader" rather than one who dictates the work. However, I am too pessimistic that this will happen anytime soon.