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Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?

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Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?

#1
Thanks to a mix of luck, hard work, high energy, study, drive, and self-discipline, I achieved most of the things I wanted out of life so far. I got to a point in my life where I'm free from debt, free from mortgage, free from bosses, free from clients, and financially independent. I'm healthy, I live in one of the world most beautiful cities, loved by my family, surrounded by good friends, happily married with a kid and a dog. I travel, take pictures, hike, meditate, read. I got the full pack. Yet I feel lost.

I'm 33 and I feel I am now wasting productive years, setting slightly more challenging goals week after week, chasing a moving target, and never actually getting it. I feel I have way too much freedom, too many choices, and feel paralyzed.

What should I do? I am not the kind of person who can keep living like this forever... I feel like I realized (most of) my dreams, but not fulfilled a real hardcore purpose/mission.

How do I find meaning? What should I spend most of my time on?

This time I'd like to start really pouring my soul into something that can provide meaning to my life, without rushing into the next app/side project/hustle/startup to temporarily calm my curiosity.

help?

Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?

#4
Are you sure you actually implemented the life you wanted or what was expected from you? Sounds like you had a checklist/recipe for life and you went with it.

The good thing is you have so many doors open now. Do whatever. You're young enough to pick up any hobby or career. Don't think about whether it's financially worth doing or if you're on some "mission" or "purpose". Don't think about whether it's safe or unpopular.

Sometimes the most fulfilling things are inherently worthless. Learn an instrument, buy a motorcycle, make a painting, become a scuba instructor, run a marathon, try drugs, move to another country, sit at a park/cafe and talk with people - you get the picture. You'll find something that clicks, just get out of your checklist view of life.

Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?

#6
post #3

Some research says that helping others brings much more meaning to life. Consider https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ .

True, finding purpose by helping others will help you figuer out where you fit in this world. It's seems like you are one of the few that can plan,execute and accomplish. I would look at ways you can work toward accomplishing goals bigger than yourself. It will help you immensely.

Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?

#9
post #3

Some research says that helping others brings much more meaning to life. Consider https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ .

+1 We're social animals after all. If nothing else, just spend a month learning about human psychology and motivation.
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