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Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

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Re: Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

#52
post #4

If I were you and in the United States, I would go hike the Appalachian Trail or something.

Another option is a round-the-world backpacking trip, or something like that.

But these are much easier if they're already hobbies or interests.

Re: Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

#57
post #42

Same thing happened to me. My ARR went from 0 to $2m with a profit margin of about 60%. You need a spiritual angle. Don’t do drugs. Don’t do a “religion”. Find a way to help humanity through technology, and make that your mission. Ever since you were a kid making money was the goal, but that is small drop compared to the actual work that needs to be done in your life. As you serve others, you will discover your life’…

Religion is actually highly underrated in this circumstance.

Re: Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

#58
post #53

> How did you get out of this? What can I do? Get married. Your wife will know what to do with the money. Have kids. You won't need to worry about this sort of stuff again. I have 3. I get motivated at 7 AM, every morning.

He wants to keep his money, not pay a 21 year annuity. As a wealthy guy the worst thing you can do is get married.

Re: Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

#59
Let me tell you about the two start up ideas I have, I will happily relieve you if some of this burden.

Seriously though, find ways to use that money to change the world in the ways you want, invest in start ups, donate to charities, set up a charity, find something that connects with you on a deeper level than simply earning money to live.

Re: Ask HN: 27, accidentally became wealthy, lost drive. What should I do?

#60
Consider getting involved in some IT area for which you have passion in a nice project (probably open source) and set a fixed amount of time you at least and at most spend on it per-week or bi-weekly and try to keep it.

It also has the benefit that if you somehow lose you money you still have qualifications to show to get a new job even years after you finished you degree.

Assuming software engineering is you passion or hobby.

Alternatively get a hobby which is more like "just consuming time", but will continuously provide challenges and keep you on edge. Preferably one which puts you (from time to time) into contact with people, has conventions (post covid) or similar.

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