Anyone else feel like they’ve just outgrown the idea of being employed? Not the idea of working hard when you have a goal, but being tethered to a laptop all day where you’re pinged and emailed nonstop or having to sit on endless video calls about topics you couldn’t care less about?

I’ve always had a strong work ethic and drive…but this just feels trivial and pointless. But the golden handcuffs are tight and up and leaving to pursue a passion isn’t really an option.

You know how by 13 or 14, school and expectations start crowding out what you actually loved doing as a kid?

Time for me to reignite it, life is too short.

This year is about getting back to what was fun when I was 6–14. Call it dumb if you want, I don’t care.
Every month I’m doing one “retro thing” that made me light up as a kid.

January: I played on a playground. Swings, slides, the whole thing. Felt ridiculous at first, then I was laughing like I was ten again. (No kids at 6am on a Saturday made my weekend.)

November: I’m taking a metal detector out to find treasure. Could be coins, could be a bottle cap. Doesn’t matter. The fun is in the hunt and the story afterward.

Thirty days is nothing to remember what I’m passionate about. Twelve months of experiments? Perfect way to launch into 2026.

Now to find a great place to dig for dinosaur bones this month.

I definitely feel this. I am about 5-7 years from retirement and at this point, it’s about doing my best and playing things out. Even though people will always talk about how you can “follow your dreams” at any age, sometimes it’s about being pragmatic. I’d rather follow my dreams when I am happily retired, than upending my income stream while I am saving the last few years.

I feel the EXACT same way.

💯

Definitely. If I could afford it, I would go back to a less brain intensive job 😭

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I resigned from 14 years of consulting last month without a plan. I am meandering throughout the day - naps, working out, cooking, cleaning, reading, etc.
There is a great book called the "Pathless Path" that I just read. It's written by an ex-consultant.

I'm currently on this journey while my wife works.

Well if you lose your job you could have many months to determine your next step before you find a new job. Hopefully you find something that brings you joy.

You are not alone. I am here with you.

Absolutely

Ditto

About to FIRE any day, week, or month now. Think it will happen sooner rather than later.

Agreed. Making good money has its downsides in the sense that now I feel a bit trapped/obligated to keep it going, until at least the nest is empty and we can downsize.

Going through a similar phase where I'm questioning the purpose of my efforts quite often. Not that I was born to earn a salary. With mounting work pressure and fading boundaries, it seems I am always running around like a headless chicken. Ugh! Life has got to have a better way of living through

Yes I felt the same way so I quit my job to stay home with my kids. Even on my hardest days I give thanks that I’m not tethered to that laptop anymore.

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We are all getting pimped, that’s what consulting is about, someone will be there to sell your services and you go and deliver it, rinse and repeat. It is up to you which side you want to be in, sell or deliver, or also common, you do both.

Yes. Doing calculations on SEPP and realizing that my kids' soccer and future college costs too much to retire in my 40's.