OP should get a security clearance and a nice government contract. I did this for a while in my 20s and the work was super minimal, but your clearance/"expertis

OP should get a security clearance and a nice government contract. I did this for a while in my 20s and the work was super minimal, but your clearance/"expertise" combination gives you some protection from being ousted. During this time, I was able to attempt to start my own company on the side, travel, and do things that were really exciting to me and gave my life more balance and meaning. Since then, I have changed jobs and now work in the private sector. I now devote my soul to the company for some altruistic goal that seems less altruistic by the day. I still find meaning working here, but I still think being able to balance out work with other fulfilling things is important and I definitely have less opportunity to do so. I will say, however, that I could take more initiative to optimize my time and do other fulfilling things in what time is available. Ultimately I do want to have kids one day and have to think about stacking some cash, which for me means less balance, while trying to not sacrifice meaning. I think the journey is about optimizing for different lifestyles at different points in your life and going really hard to achieve any and all goals you have at the time. So, OP, go get your government job and start that side gig, but do it at 110%. Not a lazy 50%.