I have a similar, but less impressive background. I receive a few emails per week from recruiters but I know from experience that most are just spam.

Last I tried to find a job when I really needed it (because I took a job that was absolutely hell and was let go after 6 months because I actually tried to do something productive and other people didn't like that), I quickly found out nearly all those emails were just recruiters sending out as many messages as they could to anyone with any kind of development experience... and I would still have to go through multiple interviews, including basic programming assignments which I find so direspectful when you've been doing it for a couple of decades already. Nothing like an experience like that to dissipate the feeling that you're a rockstar and everyone wants to hire you immediately should you just pick up one phone call. The truth is that there are hundreds like you a and while there is definitely a programmer shortage in most parts of the world, companies that are actually worthwhile working for will still filter candidates a lot and may discard you for the smallest shortcoming (like not having 3 years experienc with some niche framework they use). While I was on my comfy job receiving those emails and occasionally answering a few to see what's on the board, it felt like I just needed to say yes to get an offer, which is not exactly how it turned out to be.