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Ask HN: Engineers, what brings meaning to your life?
I'm taking some time off to figure out my next direction and am looking for some inspiration. Instead of jumping into the next high paying or skill-boosting job, I'd like to evaluate if I'm optimizing for my happiness.
What are major contributors to happiness in your life?
- manidoraisamy 11y agoSolving analytical problems (big ones that span months, not interview style algorithms) that challenges my intellectual capability. If that happens to solve someone else's pain that's a bonus.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- seivan 11y agoActually, I did the same thing as you. Not sure what makes me happy, but I know what doesn't, and I don't think I'll end up working with code again.
- ptrikutam 11y agoWhat's your plan instead?
- eric-hu 11y agoDo you now do something professionally that's more fulfilling than coding--even if it doesn't exactly make you happy?
- seivan 11y agoNo, I'm thinking of working for McDonalds in front my place. Literally have 2 seconds to and from work then. Just to be clear, it's not the code part that bothers me. It's everything else that comes with it.
- wmichelin 11y agoI recently decided to start volunteering, I feel like that would give me some more purpose, which could potentially increase happiness.
- imh 11y agoMy family, my friends, and my community. I coached HS and club swimming and water polo during college and it was so goddamned rewarding. I'd teach if it paid well. I don't have any outlet to give back to the community right now :( But there are also some big things that I wouldn't say give me meaning but are still enjoyable. That's where interesting work fits in. Satisfying my curiosity feels really good, hence the stats work I do. Sports and travel are nice too. It sucks that there isn't room for much of this in the startup grind.
- eric-hu 11y ago> My family, my friends, and my community. I coached HS and club swimming and water polo during college and it was so goddamned rewarding. I'd teach if it paid well. I don't have any outlet to give back to the community right now :( This is what my gut is telling me. I feel sorely underdeveloped in my love life, and I'd like to start putting more of my time and energy into that. Funny that you mention community--I do want to prepare some technical talks on this break. For me, that would scratch a community participation itch, though I didn't think about it in those terms before your comment. Thanks for your reply and perspective!
- farewell 11y agoThe same things that card punchers were thinking couple of decades ago and what they found eventually, nothing! Go after your dreams if you have a chance.