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Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

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Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#21

Post by _hv99 »

forgottenpass wrote: post #10

Oh, you hate your job? There's a support group for that. It's called everybody and they meet at the bar. Most work is unfulfilling. You're in a unique position just to have the possibility that it might not be. You can find jobs that are rewarding, but as a rule of thumb the worst place to look for them is in places that advertise themselves as important and rewarding (and be conned for a second that this doesn't inc…

Yeah, but lately it has been easier for me to find remote work without degree at all and non-us (way less chances) earning a f lot, than to develop a life worth living. That's why I think I am trying to just find a meaningful work. Because thought work hasn't been easy, I am in a very good position can't complain, but my life sucks. It's just plain boring.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#22

Post by imd23 »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #16

Maybe you're burned out. Maybe you're just bored. Maybe it's time to step up to something bigger than what you're doing. You may need to switch jobs for that, but maybe a first step is to go to your boss/manager/supervisor and say that you feel like you could be doing more than you are, and ask if they've got anything harder for you to work on.

I just did this today. Thanks

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#23

Post by AnimalMuppet »

imd23 wrote: post #7
yasp wrote: post #4

> It is about the meaning of work at all. The point of it. Why it exists at all. Because someone finds value in the work you do.

but I don't find it valuable for myself. At all. I feel completely empty.

To kind of expand on what yast said:

You don't find value, meaning, or identity from work. You find it in other people valuing you - specific people, people you know face-to-face. Having faceless "users" valuing your website doesn't cut it. Even your boss isn't (usually) enough, because you don't have the right kind of relationship with your boss.

That said, you also need work that you find meaningful. If you try to find your meaning in work, you're doomed, because work can't fill that need in you, but work you find meaningless is soul-destroying. So you also need work that you find more interesting/fulfilling. Just don't hang your whole identity on it.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#24

Post by jalpino »

imd23 wrote: post #20
vis52 wrote: post #12

Other than work, are you happy with your life? From personal experience and that of close friends if work was fine before usually there is something bigger going on.

Of course not. I wish I was. It my personal life that it is lacking meaning. No real friendships, I work remotely, I barely talk with people in months. That being said, I strongly believe a meaningful work supplant this somehow. Yeah, maybe I am too pretentious or just trying to cover the sun with two fingers.

Have you thought about starting a side project outside of work?

Something that might satisfy your itch for meaningful work or something that might "force your hand" in building relationships or interacting with others?

I've always found that when I'm working on something that I'm really interested in, that the positivity of it transferred into my life outside of that work.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#25

Post by ajeet_dhaliwal »

Try getting into Tesla then. I doubt you’ll be happier. It can all feel meaningless unless you’re the top dawg making the decisions on strategy and direction. Try creating something on your own, it won’t make any money but if you enjoy that then you know it’s not because you needed to something that was changing the world but something you had more skin in the game for. The control and risk and reward is exhilarating. If you don’t enjoy doing your own thing then try your best to get in somewhere you think is doing something you consider worthwhile. If you don’t enjoy that you may just need a break. Call up mom and dad if they’re alive and ask for a life break. Depending on your parents that may not be worth it, I’d get angry stares personally if I sat around.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#28

Post by andrei_says_ »

imd23 wrote: post #20
vis52 wrote: post #12

Other than work, are you happy with your life? From personal experience and that of close friends if work was fine before usually there is something bigger going on.

Of course not. I wish I was. It my personal life that it is lacking meaning. No real friendships, I work remotely, I barely talk with people in months. That being said, I strongly believe a meaningful work supplant this somehow. Yeah, maybe I am too pretentious or just trying to cover the sun with two fingers.

This may sound ridiculous but I challenge you to commit to 4 salsa or tango classes.

Salsa is just a lot of fun and tango is a straight out hug overdose.

Embodiment and socializing are incredibly underrated by capitalism.

Let me know if you choose to follow up. If you are in Berlin or Oregon or the Bay Area or LOS Angeles I can recommend tango teachers.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#29

Post by ak39 »

Change your focus from getting excited about HOW to make things to getting more excited about WHAT to make. Come from the outside in.

So for example, if you are doing React stuff and Redux stuff for a financial application that helps users in "Dealings" to position trades effectively, find out more about those aspects of the equation.

If this doesn't improve your fulfillment, maybe it's time for another set of toys besides programming.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#30

Post by lastofus »

imd23 wrote: post #20
vis52 wrote: post #12

Other than work, are you happy with your life? From personal experience and that of close friends if work was fine before usually there is something bigger going on.

Of course not. I wish I was. It my personal life that it is lacking meaning. No real friendships, I work remotely, I barely talk with people in months. That being said, I strongly believe a meaningful work supplant this somehow. Yeah, maybe I am too pretentious or just trying to cover the sun with two fingers.

I think you found the root cause of your issue. We are social creatures. Without deep meaningful connections with our fellow humans, mental health will take a turn for the worse.

90% or more of the work out there to do is pretty damn hollow if you really stop and think about it. The chances of you supplanting such a deep rooted need w/ some "change the world" type work is slim to none.

Focus inward!

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