same situation here, thanks for this nice description. tell you what - I'm currently planning on abandoning my routine and go for an extended travel. the main

same situation here, thanks for this nice description. tell you what - I'm currently planning on abandoning my routine and go for an extended travel. the main problem probably is to break the daily routine behaviour, it isn't easy, but the will to do it is the first step and only requirement. if you're suffering from computer addiction as much as i do, it's probably a good choice to execute a "format c:" (or any likewise more physical action although i'd consider it cruel). i decided to ignore all the seamingly enourmous bureocratic things that should be done (e.g. getting insurance, buying stuff you think you'd need) and go for a backpack with only those things i think are absolutely necessary. besides this good will for a change, I constantly wonder whether it is wise to abort the daily routine (I'm earning an awful lot doing stupid programming jobs but only as long as I stay involved and up2date). however, as you mentioned already, soon there will come a time when my output approaches level0 and that's a unconcious force put up on me so I think it is a rational choice to have a break. additionally, I don't see any future in doing contract work without any purpose. Since there seems to be absolutely no inspiration by waiting day by day (aka staring at the clock), the only option is to stop making plans (an illusion after all, when did longterm speculation ever work out) and jump into cold water, i.e. do something you are not prepared to do and deal with any problems when they come up, not when you anticipate them. i think this is the only possibly way to break this spiral, since it is actually nothing else than worrying about some hypothetical failure one might do, which is simply nonsense. so - stop wondering what might be the best choice and decide for the very first opportunity that crosses your mind or face, you simply cannot know in advance what new experience will bring (however, make sure you are not being abused). my 2ct