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I was there 5 years ago. My psychology was getting worse by the month as everything I did seemed more and more futile. I quit my job, travelled to some bucket
by elif 4y ago
I was there 5 years ago. My psychology was getting worse by the month as everything I did seemed more and more futile.
I quit my job, travelled to some bucket list destinations like Japan, Fiji, Galapagos, machu piccu, then went on a 5 month backpacking trip across both islands of New Zealand with my (ridiculously) supportive wife. I immersed myself the whole time in zen philosophy and tried to lose my egocentric placement in the universe.
It was a great reset for my depression, but did nothing to erase the fundamental feeling that all of reality and my actions within it are pointless.
For the first year I took my passion projects seriously, devoting almost a full work week of attention to them. At a certain point, I stopped those too. I realized I was merely creating my own flavor of the distractions I'd tired of.
Now the only things that bring me real joy are improving my home environment, the health of my family, and getting out in the sun and playing sports. That kind of "out there, just around the corner" abstract life satisfaction I was chasing seem as ridiculous to me now as participating in US politics. It is all ephemeral.
- burntoutfire 4y agoI've had pretty similar path (minus the long exotic trip). I've also pursued personal projects and interests very seriously, only to find out that I don't know why I'm doing them really. I found that I'm most satisfied with hedonic/epicurean lifystyle: hanging out with friends, spending time outside, cooking, reading, playing some of my favorite games. Even a job is not that bad, given how easy we can have it in the software profession. I guess any interests and ambitions I had were imprinted on my by external capitalist pressures, and I only realised that when I no longer had to run on the threadmill (I'm leanFIRE already).
- pjdkoch 4y ago> I realized I was merely creating my own flavor of the distractions I'd tired of. Bam. Right in the kisser. This is the essence of it.
- badRNG 4y ago> but did nothing to erase the fundamental feeling that all of reality and my actions within it are pointless There may not be some cosmic teleology for your life, but that doesn't mean it's pointless; it just means you have a clean slate for deciding what you want that point to be. I think embracing the absurdity of existence can be liberating.
- elif 4y agoWe can all choose the games we wish to play. Just don't take them seriously.
- tcbawo 4y agoMy conjecture is that happiness will not be found by a job switch. Having a stable job that gives you the money and enough time to pursue your life’s passions is very valuable. I think an artist with a day job would be happier than an artist that scrapes by selling their art. Quitting a well paying job that provides free time _right away_ adds unnecessary lifestyle pressure. My advice is to find and foster your passions outside of work before making career changes, then reorient your life with renewed focus.
- HellDunkel 4y agoProbably depends on the type of person you are but it clearly does not work for me. If not inspired by work i become miserable. Very happy to have taken the risk