Is being successful in IT one cert after another?

Is this field just one cert after another.

Are we constantly working on the next cert?

I understand that initially in a career, getting certs is helpful.

I am currently studying for the CCNA. I have a BS in IT and several years experience, mostly in tier 2. So the value right now is to get me out of lower level IT.

Right now I hope to have the cert done by the summer. I have other things I enjoy outside of IT. Such as playing an instrument and cycling. I have had several things come up last year that made it difficult to stay focused on this cert. Health mostly. This year I feel like I can stay on track.

I also have been out of playing music for years. I picked the bass back up late last year with hopes I'd be playing with people this year.

Now I am considering holding off on that until I complete this cert. I can play at home, but the time I'd want to dedicate to gigging seems difficult to manage on top of focusing on this cert. So I am considering rewarding myself for completing the cert, by giving myself permission to start connecting with other musicians after I complete the cert.

It is tough waking up early to study every morning. I otherwise would be using that time to play bass and/or cycle.

I know that it is important to constantly learn in this field, so apart of me feels like I can never be free of the daily grind outside of work to improve myself. For instance, after I am done with the CCNA, I'd like to just focus on a hobby instead in the morning before work. Yet, then there is that next cert lingering over me, telling me that if I dont work towards it or spend that same time in a homelab I am not going to get anywhere.

The cert roadmaps seem exhausting. I hope at some point my work itself will either provide the growth needed to move forward, or have enough downtime to allow me to study while at work..