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It sounds to me like you're experiencing burnout (possibly lockdown-related) and/or have worked unsatisfying jobs and/or for not-so-great employers. I worry tha

by nickd2001 6y ago

It sounds to me like you're experiencing burnout (possibly lockdown-related) and/or have worked unsatisfying jobs and/or for not-so-great employers. I worry that the strategy you declare you intend to pursue, while pragmatic, won't lead to long-term happiness or fulfilment. We all need to feel useful and have a real mission for at least some of the time. Hopefully you could find something, maybe part-time, at a government agency, non-profit, university or college. The fact you don't care about salary works wonders in your favour. If there's a job out there that's fulfilling and not stressful, but pay is such they struggle to get and retain people, you could be on to a winner there and find your "mojo" again. I think plenty of people on HN have had such motivational ruts in their career and come out the other side. I personally do a 4-day-week mid-level job despite possibly being "capable of more", due to caring responsibilities and desire to pursue other hobbies. Good luck, I think you're brave to ask this question on HN and its a nice alternative discussion to workaholism / protestant work ethic.

YinglingLight 6y ago
We get meaning from the responsibilities we voluntarily choose to bear. If OP isn't raising children, then yes, he/she needs to bear an incredible level of responsibility in their career/community to have a meaningful 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s
tonyedgecombe 6y ago
We all need to feel useful and have a real mission for at least some of the time. That doesn't have to come from w**k though. It's ok to have a job just to pay the bills and get your fulfilment from other parts of your life.
- thiago_fm 6y ago
  This phase sounds to be toxic and sick. It's almost as if people need a salary to feel useful. What a society we live in.
  - nickd2001 6y ago
    I meant a purpose in life, not necessarily paid. I mean, just something like helping people. I guess it would be totally fine to do what the OP suggested i:e as little as possible at work, if you had a lot of family committments, friends you were helping, or your own projects, were trying to be a musician or something. But... if you skyved at work and didn't do much else either, you might get unhappy. Does seem to me that it ought to be possible to be fulfilled at work if you find the right job...
- nickd2001 6y ago
  Agreed :)

YinglingLight 6y ago

We get meaning from the responsibilities we voluntarily choose to bear. If OP isn't raising children, then yes, he/she needs to bear an incredible level of responsibility in their career/community to have a meaningful 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s

tonyedgecombe 6y ago

We all need to feel useful and have a real mission for at least some of the time. That doesn't have to come from w**k though. It's ok to have a job just to pay the bills and get your fulfilment from other parts of your life.

thiago_fm 6y ago
This phase sounds to be toxic and sick. It's almost as if people need a salary to feel useful. What a society we live in.
- nickd2001 6y ago
  I meant a purpose in life, not necessarily paid. I mean, just something like helping people. I guess it would be totally fine to do what the OP suggested i:e as little as possible at work, if you had a lot of family committments, friends you were helping, or your own projects, were trying to be a musician or something. But... if you skyved at work and didn't do much else either, you might get unhappy. Does seem to me that it ought to be possible to be fulfilled at work if you find the right job...
nickd2001 6y ago
Agreed :)