Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 69 posts

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#41

Post by S_Bear »

226_ebro_treaty wrote: post #37
S_Bear wrote: post #35

My wife and cats love me, I have fun and engaging hobbies, and we make enough each month to pay bills and have a little left over. After getting hammered in 09 during the recession, I gave up my ambitions and started living in the moment a bit more. Since then, I've been diagnosed with a degenerative joint disorder that limits my capabilities. Every now and then I see a job posting that piques my interest, but I'm la…

What happened to you in the 2009 recession?

Got let go a week after closing on a house. Learned the true value of hard work and loyalty, as my network shunned me and I stumbled around for a few years in a new career. Thankfully my wife's income let us run only a little in the red for a couple years until I could find my footing again.

Doing great now, but I'm never giving a job any more effort than I'm comfortable giving. I killed myself with crazy hours for 3 years and had nothing to show for it.

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#42

Post by temp20230425 »

I'm 30 and this is my situation:

- I have health issues that decrease my quality of life and leads to embarrassment. I can't work an in-person job anymore.

- I work freelance but have one client, and they're an miser - very tight with cash, so I barely meet my minimum needed income to cover expenses and save a little.

- Because of the above, I have been stuck in a very poor apartment for the last 8 months. Water leaks, air quality issues, noise, shit-water rings around the toilet base, dangerous electrical faults, etc

- Prior I was a late to graduate college student, then worked at a few corporate jobs, but it killed me to be a part of that corporate dysfunction I saw every day.

- I quit multiple jobs because they burned me out.

- I think I'm still burned out because my client is being a prick, not giving me the hours I need yet expects me to be available.

- I keep thinking about starting my own business, but no sustainable income = no business

- I have an addiction to THC edibles because it makes my situation feel less hopeless.

- I'm a complete idiot see above.

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#43

Post by xupybd »

thiago_fm wrote: post #17

I'm in my 30s, and despite being a gifted kid, moving to a first world country, speaking 3 languages and making great pay as a senior eng, I still feel like a failure for: - Not having my own business - Not managing people at the moment or doing many leadership activities - Not having 7 figures networth - Being a homeowner, but still paying mortgage for the next 10 years - Not being yet an excellent communicator, and…

Just to let you know, your written English reads like a native speaker.

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#44

Post by xupybd »

aizyuval wrote: post #39

Im 18 yo, trying to understand this world and myself. I started a venture last year, which I was crazy about as my first. A few months didn’t pass by until I got noticed that my so-called friend so-called “partner” has been cheating me and frauding me. The product sucked and I seemed to be (unintentionally) screwing my customers. I should have checked my partners more closely and also the product. Looking back, I don…

If you're 18 you are too young to have failed. It sounds like you're doing very well for someone of your age. Most haven't tried to launch a product at 18.

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#45

Post by xupybd »

giantg2 wrote: post #34
226_ebro_treaty wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love to fail into making $100k :-)

Well I might not be making it much longer with my bad ratings. Plus, it's not a lot for supporting a family (lower cost areas would be different).

One job that is a bad fit does not define you. You are probably not as bad as you think. This might not be the job that best suites you. Don't give up.

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#48

Post by _fvh3 »

kevviiinn wrote: post #15
toldyouso2022 wrote: post #13

I am 35, I live on welfare and I never had a real job, only worked as a freelancer (never earned much, just a few thousands). My portfolio used to be okay a few years ago, but I was never able to capitalize on it and my programming skills because I have an inferiority complex due to the fact I don't have a degree. Of course abusive family, etc didn't help and they brought financial problems. If you met me you wouldn'…

Abusive family can have a big impact on motivation and view on self worth. I hope you can see past the bullshit, you aren't worthless. Don't let them drag you down

Yep, especially because a lot of privilege and "luck" can come from family and connections

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#49

Post by toldyouso2022 »

kevviiinn wrote: post #15
toldyouso2022 wrote: post #13

I am 35, I live on welfare and I never had a real job, only worked as a freelancer (never earned much, just a few thousands). My portfolio used to be okay a few years ago, but I was never able to capitalize on it and my programming skills because I have an inferiority complex due to the fact I don't have a degree. Of course abusive family, etc didn't help and they brought financial problems. If you met me you wouldn'…

Abusive family can have a big impact on motivation and view on self worth. I hope you can see past the bullshit, you aren't worthless. Don't let them drag you down

Thanks you're very kind

Re: Ask HN: Are You a Failure?

#50

Post by giantg2 »

xupybd wrote: post #45
giantg2 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well I might not be making it much longer with my bad ratings. Plus, it's not a lot for supporting a family (lower cost areas would be different).

One job that is a bad fit does not define you. You are probably not as bad as you think. This might not be the job that best suites you. Don't give up.

Sure it does. I don't have any other options and it will define my life through the hours I spend there and the income I derive from it.
Post reply on HN