A bunch of people have mentioned the hedonic treadmill, but I'm not actually sure this is it, though there's not enough information to know. Maybe it is? But

A bunch of people have mentioned the hedonic treadmill, but I'm not actually sure this is it, though there's not enough information to know. Maybe it is? But your situation just seems... Normal. I guess it depends. I'm sort of in the situation you're in now. I think the question about the hedonic treadmill would be -- do you, in this happy house/wife/kids imagine another job where you'd be happier, a certain amount of money, a bigger house, a certain job title. Or on the other hand, do you just have dreams? I'm sort of in your position, good wife, good job, good salary, good house, kiddo on the way. And I am happy with all those things. And I dream about the same thing as you. Doing my own thing or retiring early to do other projects. I'm off the hedonic treadmill. I don't think a bigger house/more kids/more money will make me happier, but. Is "stability" really the only dream? I hope I never stop fantasizing about what could be in those real dreams I have. Making music, starting a company, traveling the world. There's a difference between having drive, and being dissatisfied with the good things in your life and wanting just a little bit more. If it's the latter. Well then yeah. I guess you're stuck, go listen to someone else :-P