What are some lifestyle choices or decisions you’ve made that most people would consider “unconventional”? — taking a different path, coloring outside the lines, etc. If those choices are in hindsight, how do you think about them now?
-
I resigned from my job and moved cities without having a new job lined up. Spent two months of "funemployment" upskilling and interviewing before I found my current employer, which I love. Had enough savings to cover me for much longer. The risk paid off!
The inability to step off the job ladder/rat treadmill, even for short periods, is a major cause of unhappiness for a lot of people I think. Sometimes it’s because of material constraints (bills to pay), but a lot of time it’s just a psychic constraint.
-
-
I think both you and I run in socioeconomic circles where it’s easier to step off the treadmill for a bit. I suspect a large part of the country (not to mention the rest of the world) doesn’t enjoy such luxury.
-
Completely agree! Context is hard (and 10x harder on Twitter
)
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
I’ve been off the ladder (temporarily) for 4-6 months between tech companies 3 times. Low cost of living so no
stress.
But I’ve always had existential dread. The breaks are more anxious than the work. America (and SV) tells you that you are what you do.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Dropping out of regular work a few times has led to some fantastic times. And the ability to re-think career choices, take time for things to sit with you, and then decide very strongly where to go next - and really go for it once re-charged. Never once has been a bad decision.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
A lot of time, the psychic constraint is overstating the material constraint.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
If you take paying the bills out, It’s not totally obvious what causes this but possibly a combination of FOMO with the dread that slowing down will surface loss of meaning? Work can function as a useful distraction from nihilism.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.