Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#1

Post by g4zj » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:41 PM UTC

Everyone seems so busy building or learning the next big thing, but is anyone else working on absolutely nothing lately? If not, why not?

Optional reading:

I've always been a curious person, interested in learning new skills and finding fun and useful ways to apply them. I don't know much, but what I do know are things I've set out to learn purely out of interest. Any success in my career has been mostly luck, and being somewhat articulate in a few key areas of IT.

But not only has my professional life become monotonous and unchallenging, my drive for novelty and improvement in my personal life has also diminished greatly. In other words, I seem to have lost that curiosity. That drive to learn and apply new things.

I'm not sure why this is, but my initial suspicion is that the lack of fulfillment I've experienced in the last ~5 years or so has left me feeling like continuing down the same path is a bit of a waste of time at this point. It all just feels as though it amounts to virtually nothing.

To be completely honest, I am working on something, but that something is myself. Working through personal issues has all but completely taken priority over any external endeavors and consumed what little energy I have, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but a healthier balance would probably be ideal.

Anyone else from HN in a similar place?

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#2

Post by MilnerRoute » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:48 PM UTC

Sometimes I worry that I'm not doing things because I've finally officially become "burned out."

But I also read an article this week that said "unstructured time" is part of a healthy and relaxing weekend routine.

Either way, I think it's a good idea to make sure you're exercising, getting lots of sleep, and eating healthy, energizing foods.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#3

Post by zemvpferreira » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:55 PM UTC

I'm working on things. Just, things I subconsciously devalue because they're not new/hard/valuable enough. So when people ask me what I work on I often answer 'nothing much' back even though those same people would find what I'm actually doing to be as hard as most jobs - which is not that much but enough. Enough is what I should answer, and maybe you too.

Everything will work itself out, these years will turn out to have a hidden purpose, or you'll eventually die and it won't matter either way. If we avoid any major moral failures till the end then we're ahead of the curve, friend. We did our part.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#4

Post by ploum » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:57 PM UTC

I’m working on a lot of things which, when I think about it, are all related to the "smolnet/smallweb". (offpunk, mainly, but also other email/gemini/blog related stuff).

It is funny because it seems that I’m now always looking for "the next small thing" instead of the "the next big thing" ;-)

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#5

Post by rendx » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:57 PM UTC

Same! I took a break from my job. A couple of years ago. My new full-time engagement is myself, and it's one of the most challenging and exhausting and fulfilling jobs I've ever had. Sometimes I catch myself "wanting" to go back to the "less complex" version of myself, but there's no turning back now, and it only takes a few minutes to realize I wouldn't want to go back anyway. ;)

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#6

Post by reactordev » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:58 PM UTC

If you find yourself thinking “this is all for nothing”, you’d be correct. You can’t take any of this crap with you when you pass. You do what makes you happy. What makes you happy? Searching for external validation of a pat on the back for a job well done is not what makes one happy. Take a moment, pause, just be, focus on your happiness and what that means to you. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop trying to find fulfillment through praise or purpose and instead search inwards and ask yourself “What do I like, dislike, enjoy, and am I doing those things?”. If you are just going through the motions but haven’t searched within then I suggest you take a time out and get to know you again. Remember you. Rediscover you. Or start a new path. Life isn’t a straight line.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#7

Post by azangru » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 6:59 PM UTC

Hmm, my reading of the title was, is anyone working on something that they have a good reason to suspect will turn out to be nothing. I.e. does anyone think they are doing a bullshit job.

I am not sure how one can work on absolutely nothing unless one is happily retired/unemployed.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#8

Post by 127 » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 7:01 PM UTC

I'm building things that I find fun and interesting, not necessarily for profit. Of course, I have a revenue generator that I'm also keeping up. But mostly just fun these days. Currently that fun thing is building software synths from scratch, just starting from audio callback.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#9

Post by sjfjsjdjwvwvc » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 7:02 PM UTC

Working on yourself / mental health is not working on nothing - it’s probably the most important, hardest and rewarding work you can do apart from recreational work. Recreational work is all the work that is required for everything to function but that doesn’t produce anything- think of cooking, cleaning, childcare, elderly care etc. - you know all the work that traditionally is/was “women’s work”

I have come to value “productive work” much less than recreational. We have enough stuff already to last a dozen lifetimes.

Just think that the brightest minds of our generation are working on making people click more ads. And then be thankful that you are not in the same boat and OK with not being productive at all.

Re: Ask HN: Who else is working on nothing?

#10

Post by bitzun » Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 7:02 PM UTC

I like working on (relatively) nothing. I quit working a few months ago and now I don't want to go back. I've spent these months reading books about everything, working out, playing with hobbies and relaxing. The experience has reinforced for me that I don't want kids, I don't need any "lasting" legacy or any greater career success, and I want to work only enough that I can avoid it as much as I can. I want to learn everything, but I don't want to be compelled to employ that knowledge for "success".