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Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

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Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#171

Post by zo1 »

NumberCruncher wrote: post #63
sevenless wrote: post #6

You aren't wrong. Most of us are stuck in conformist, drab and conservative societies, where we're forced to participate in the market economy. This is soul-crushing, and bad for nearly everyone, but especially those in poor countries. I recommend: 1. Don't work hard. Try to reduce your productivity. 2. Don't work long hours. Reduce your working week to the minimum necessary. Most university graduates earn enough to…

Having an office job, eg. signing a work contract where you have to schow up every morning is not participating in the market economy but voluntary slavery. Don´t be a slave! I live in Europe where self employement is not common but the most happiest friends of mine are all somehow self employed.

Signing a voluntary contract is the antithesis of slavery. It may be boring and soul-sucking labour that you do not enjoy, but it is no more slavery than signing a contract with a customer is. Your time and effort are your own, and the reward is rightfully yours.

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#172

Post by Mendenhall »

Do whatever you want (that doesnt harm others). Want to do nothing for a year or two or five, then do it. Want to hang out and drink at 5am and party, then do it. Want to start a company, then do it. Taste what life has to offer and grow from it and evolve. Imo you are at the age where you are coming into yourself and finding out what you want to do. It can be confusing, scarey, challenging and everything else. I found by doing what I wanted against even social norms and sometimes at great loss, I learned what it was I really wanted out of life. Best wishes, there is no wrong answer. Be you!

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#173

Post by stevenkovar »

gohrt wrote: post #169
stevenkovar wrote: post #154

Happiness, money, and love are great as a byproduct of effort, but destructive as the main goal. Do you want to feel fulfilled or do you want to be happy? My money is on the former; for me this fulfillment comes from continually improving. Focus on the process. The process of learning, of working, of talking, of exercising, of being... everything you do, do it just 2% better than last time. Try and be more of yoursel…

> "how much do you make" what culture is this?!

Many sub-cultures in America (and I assume elsewhere) involving highly competitive industries.

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#174

Post by rekado »

eevilspock wrote: post #131
sevenless wrote: post #6

You aren't wrong. Most of us are stuck in conformist, drab and conservative societies, where we're forced to participate in the market economy. This is soul-crushing, and bad for nearly everyone, but especially those in poor countries. I recommend: 1. Don't work hard. Try to reduce your productivity. 2. Don't work long hours. Reduce your working week to the minimum necessary. Most university graduates earn enough to…

No. Work hard. On something that matters. The world needs a lot of help. If people with privilege use that privilege to slack off rather than give back, the world has no hope. You will find a lot of meaning and joy in giving, in focusing on the well-being of others. Your own well-being will follow. Yes to 3, 4 and 6! 5 Never hurts.

There is no point in burning out quickly. Burn sustainably.

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#175

Post by bahularora »

Life is a circle you feel lost then you find your way, only to find its not your way, then you feel lost again, and it goes on till you die. Know this that you will never find any deep meaning to life, its all there it is to life. Its simple give happiness to others, be honest and just enjoy your time here doing things you want to do and then leave in peace. Be happy or not its immaterial, you can't be in one state for long anyway. We are all but a pale blue dot in the vastness of the sky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#176

Post by Joof »

lostPixels wrote: post #97
omginternets wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This can't be upvoted enough. Drugs and alcohol are great, but they should be used to celebrate good times, not to overcome bad ones.

Anecdotal counterpoint: I was in a rut much like the OP, and took a half year off to explore psychedelic drugs, music festivals, and local art culture. A couple of good acid trips really reset my expectations on reality and gave me some much needed grounding. With my newfound perspective, I took some professional risks that were extremely advantageous in the long run. I likely would not have seen the options, or have…

Acid is a good bit different from drinking though. You won't get addicted.

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#177

Post by daveloyall »

cp9 wrote: post #128
NumberCruncher wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having an office job, eg. signing a work contract where you have to schow up every morning is not participating in the market economy but voluntary slavery. Don´t be a slave! I live in Europe where self employement is not common but the most happiest friends of mine are all somehow self employed.

... that is not what slavery is

Employment contracts aside... Let's just ask ourselves, is having a job optional?

Of course it is optional, because no one is holding a gun to your head, right?

But "everybody knows" that 1. if you don't work, you'll sooner or later (perhaps sooner!) be homeless and 2. homelessness can lead to sudden, violent death.

Just because the trigger and the barrel are far apart doesn't mean it isn't a gun.

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#178

Post by daveloyall »

gohrt wrote: post #169
stevenkovar wrote: post #154

Happiness, money, and love are great as a byproduct of effort, but destructive as the main goal. Do you want to feel fulfilled or do you want to be happy? My money is on the former; for me this fulfillment comes from continually improving. Focus on the process. The process of learning, of working, of talking, of exercising, of being... everything you do, do it just 2% better than last time. Try and be more of yoursel…

> "how much do you make" what culture is this?!

Sometimes people volunteer this information very early in the course of meeting. Maybe this is why...?

Re: Ask HN: When you feel stuck in life

#180

Post by dsubburam »

dominotw wrote: post #167

To seek fulfilment is to invite frustration. There is no fulfilment of the self, but only the strengthening of the self through possessing what it craves for. Possession, at whatever level, makes the self feel potent, rich, active, and this sensation is called fulfilment; but as with all sensations, it soon fades, to be replaced by yet another gratification. We are all familiar with this process of replacement or sub…

>So.. I guess start identifying yourself strongly with something. What that something is not very relevant, cast a dice and see what sticks.

Nope, that's not what Krishnamurti's pointing to. He's pointing to the problem with identifying with anything -- objects, ideas, personalities, character. That this identifying strengthens the sense of self, which leads to a fear (of death, death of the sense of self).

Just offering my words on the subject. Read him and make your own interpretation. Better yet, inquire upon your own experience and form your own understanding.

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