121–130 of 178 posts
Adventures come to those who seek them. One can find big expensive adventures for six months out in the mountains, or small free/low cost adventures like volunteer fire fighting, painting, rock climbing, cooking, dancing, acting, making music, deep friendships. Our lives are filled with exactly the richness we seek. Travel is just a catalyst to get us up off our sofas and make new friends. Having moved many times, I…
Thanks!
> As a young person, though, I think the best thing you can do is to ignore all of that and simply observe the older people working there. > They are the future you. Do not think that you will be substantially different. Look carefully at how they spend their time at work and outside of work, because this is also almost certainly how your life will look. It sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how often young people imag…
I recognize this is a matter of perspective, because to me the examples you mention are fundamentally not very different.
A middle manager working in a programming language might be a way to put it that sounds the same as the old job. Which exact programming language, etc. can be seen as details, depending on the context. When seen through this lens the perspective of seeing the old worker still applies I believe.
> As a young person, though, I think the best thing you can do is to ignore all of that and simply observe the older people working there. > They are the future you. Do not think that you will be substantially different. Look carefully at how they spend their time at work and outside of work, because this is also almost certainly how your life will look. It sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how often young people imag…
> Ten years ago it was PHP and Jira. Ten years before that ... I recognize this is a matter of perspective, because to me the examples you mention are fundamentally not very different. A middle manager working in a programming language might be a way to put it that sounds the same as the old job. Which exact programming language, etc. can be seen as details, depending on the context. When seen through this lens the p…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also, be aware that most people don't have a dream or a thing they love. The message about having a dream and "doing what you love" is so prevalent in the US culture, that the large number of people whom it does not pertain think that there's something wrong with them, and start essentially force themselves to have a passion (which is, obviously, not how it works).
Your dreams can be any passion or hobby, if it's a relatively fleeting one that's fine too. I restored a motorcycle last year, it was a great outlet, but I wasn't actually very into riding it in the end and dropped it. Onto the next one. You like fine dining and look forward to a new restaurant every week? That's the equivalent of a dream to some people. I think you're right in the sense that this U.S. notion of "exc…
Well, then my "dream" is to play MtG and lay in bed reading random stuff on the Internet. Seems like too broad of a definition :)
> “if I were you, I’d hitchhike to Alaska this summer instead.” I agree 100%, best advice there is. After a couple of years working as a Software Engineer, I sold all my stuff and drove my little Jeep up to Alaska to a whole summer of camping, hiking and exploring. I hiked into the Magic Bus (of Into the Wild Fame), paddled with icebergs, and saw more bears, moose, bald eagles, salmon and mountains than I can count.…
That sounds fantastic! What are you up to now?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wouldn’t necessarily expect that you gained some discrete skills that will help you in software. Probably what you gained is something more valuable: perspective, and peace. Now when you are 45 or 50, rather than a crushing feeling of having wasted your life behind a desk you will hopefully feel happy that you spent your good years living life.
45? Wha... these are still our good years!
Adventures come to those who seek them. One can find big expensive adventures for six months out in the mountains, or small free/low cost adventures like volunteer fire fighting, painting, rock climbing, cooking, dancing, acting, making music, deep friendships. Our lives are filled with exactly the richness we seek. Travel is just a catalyst to get us up off our sofas and make new friends. Having moved many times, I…
Love your style and the comprehension ease