Comment on I had some that looked exactly like this
UNWILLING_PARTICIPANT@sh.itjust.works 11 months agoYeah a kind of positive nihilism. I’ve used that too. I’ve since learned that this kind of “big picture-ing” (just keep zooming perspective out until problem goes away) is a coping mechanism sometimes referred to as “intellectualising.”
That doesn’t mean it’s bad, but it is a way cope by putting some emotional distance between you and a problem, which can sometimes–what am doing… this is the shit posting community right? My apologies lol
Zink@programming.dev 11 months ago
I have actually used the term “positive nihilism” before, lol.
It is very freeing to consider that meaning, value, happiness, and what you “should” do with your life - the right answers come only from within. Finding those answers is easier said than done, and you have to un-learn the expectations you think live has for you. (Insert Yoda quote)
Super easy personal example: I’m an engineer with a bunch of degrees. Covid caused some job changes and pain, but right now I am just over a year into the best job I’ve ever had. But even though work is great, I realized that my career does not matter for shit when it comes to my happiness. Having an infinite growth mindset in one’s career might make your money numbers go up faster, but for MY brain the overall experience of life would be diminished.
UNWILLING_PARTICIPANT@sh.itjust.works 11 months ago
I totally agree right down to your example (I’m a software dev). The pandemic was very good to us. I never thought I would have this kind of financial stability. It’s kind of led me to an anti-hustle mindset.
Now I’m taking jobs that let me work less, even though I know I could earn a lot more if I really put my back into it. It’s just not worth it, though.
I’ve only got N years to smell the roses, may as make em good ones.
Zink@programming.dev 11 months ago
Funny enough, that current best job of mine is as a software engineer, replacing the amalgam of electronics, software, automation, quality, etc that came before. Intentional choice of course.
Fortunately there are many entertaining and enriching things you can do with adequate time and just a little extra money. Leaving yourself with more money but little time is going to make it tough to improve on what you already had.
Plus even if working less, the working hours are a significant part of your life. Is it really worth 1/3 of your life being more stressful/boring/unfulfilling just so that you get to drive a Mercedes to that shitty place?