Once you’ve conquered Maslow’s original hierarchy of needs, dig into his final need that he added later in life. Achieve not for yourself but for your community or your world. Transcend the self, and feel that higher order need. As another commenter mentioned, altruistic endeavors are a good choice. Even things like being a Boy Scout leader can be hugely fulfilling of that broader need.
Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
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Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#52Congratulations on your life this far, you have certainly checked off everything there is in this material world. Honestly, I mean it. Your work ethic is great, as is your abilities to get you this far. How is your faith life, do you believe in religion? As some others have alluded to, having gratitude and giving back I feel are your next steps you should consider taking. I think you are at a great time in your life…
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#53This is a symptom of someone that lived a 'square' life style all their lives... and never did something out of bounds or take risks You really need to spice up your life... Go to the dessert, do some 'safe' drugs, (aka, mushrooms)..., get a mistress.... get a motorcycle (and be safe about it), buy one of those trycycle open air cars and ride the coast, start playing some social sports seriously, (volleyball/soccer)…
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#54Now I also live in one of the world's most beautiful cities surrounded by good friends and family. I spend a lot of time helping strangers with their problems for little to no reward. I still have a mortgage, but I feel at peace with that, and I probably never would have made it to where I am without taking those detours and getting my head straight first.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#55When I was older than you, I left technology to try for medical school. After several years of studies, some of it absolutely brutal, I had to go back to technology; my brain is just not wired to memorize large amounts of information as required to pass med school exams. It was a fascinating detour and I was fortunate that I had the tech skills to get back into technology, though my dreams of becoming a doctor had co…
Did you do a post-bac program for this? I'm in the process of trying to leave software and become a PA, but I'm not sure what the best path would be, or how to budget/plan.
Total cost is 100-200k depending on the program, including living expenses. Most people borrow that.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#56Or, are you maybe humblebragging? To have all that at 33 years old is quite good. Are you seeking advice, or acknowledgement? For someone who has been so effective in their life, it seems odd to me that they feel the need to seek this advice.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#57Why Passivity Breeds Mediocrity and Mental Illness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUs6NDsMWVI
It sounds like you've slammed your new life full of ephemeral busywork to, well, keep yourself occupied. It also sounds like you don't have a professional network that relies on you and that you rely on (since you're financially independent and just poking around these days).
You may want to take a step back, enmesh yourself for a few weeks or months in all the possible paths you could focus yourself on (which will likely be chaotic and unenjoyable), and then just dedicate yourself to pursuing a given path. Try to build up a network, feel you are helping others in the network, and see where it all goes.
Whether this path ends up being financially fruitful or being conventionally successful along some other axis should be viewed as irrelevant given your current status. You'll likely find just having a thing to do, that other people are also working tangentially on or are interested in, will bring you all the success you need.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#58I've been in your situation before, and immersing myself in great works of art was probably the most useful thing I did.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#59[I missed the kid part, ignore the rest of this comment as it's wrong] I'm surprised no one asked about/suggested procreation? You've literally set yourself up for that, at this point of your life. If you and your spouse are unable to, you should look into adoption. The lost feeling could be from not having a real, good use of what you've built up. It's like building a kingdom but not having any people in it.
He already has a kid, he said.
Re: Ask HN: I implemented the life I designed: perfect but I feel lost. What now?
#60Congratulations on your life this far, you have certainly checked off everything there is in this material world. Honestly, I mean it. Your work ethic is great, as is your abilities to get you this far. How is your faith life, do you believe in religion? As some others have alluded to, having gratitude and giving back I feel are your next steps you should consider taking. I think you are at a great time in your life…
Where would you start?
As others have suggested, now's a good time to offer up your means to improve the world, and to be a blessing in others' lives. A living God can help you do that, and He'll help you to find Him.
If you want some more guidance in spiritual development, missionaries can help.
Edit: So, I'm a Christian; and while you should explore what feels right to you because you know you best, here's a site where you can start. This page describes some basic principles of becoming one's best self through spiritual progression, as well as having contacts to missionaries: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/become