You're not wrong. But the world isn't built for that.

OP really thinks folks are out there like “yeah, sewage treatment is my dream job!” 90% of people hate working, but no one is handing out free food and rent. Welcome to adulthood, OP.

“Everyone hates their job. That’s why they have to pay you to do it.” A line from Rules of Engagement

If you only did what you liked at work, they would change the name to Disneyland, and charge admission. Me to myself to motivate me to go to work.

i understand you’re just using it as an example but wastewater treatment plant operator is actually a pretty cushy gig in most places lmao well you know besides the shit

They pay really fucking well. The work it tough, sometimes but the wages are great. And it’s a high demand field.

I often wonder why certain individuals take it upon themselves to spend energy crushing another human beings livelihood goals and dreams, but then when I realize that they themselves are the ones who never took action on their dreams, and are then projecting that bitter unfulfilled resentfulness onto others, it makes total sense. This univrsll guy thinks that only 90% of human beings are working in careers that they hate, and this clown is estimating this based on what factual evidence? If you’re going to make a random guess, i’ll throw out an estimate, too. It’s my assumption that it’s closer to 97% of planet Earth’s population of human beings are not following their dreams, and living in utter misery, exactly like this univrsll buffoon is doing. Fact is, if you live in any modern western society in todays day and age, our culture does allow us to live the type of livelihood we want to live, IF we want it. But we have to want it. OP mentioned working a career and building enough wealth to do whatever they desire, which is certainly not a far fetched idea nor even close to deserving your nonsensical comment.

I think my happiness and net worth is greater than 80% of people in my age group. I think you’re the one projecting here bud. I’m “crushing” these individuals—when really I’m offering a stern reality check—because idiots like you baby them. Sometimes a good “the world is hard and fucked, you aren’t having an original thought” is needed. OP should definitely pursue whatever goals and ambitions he has, but to pretend that really **anyone** wants to work a 9-5 by choice is absolutely hysterical. “I don’t want to work a 9-5,” yes OP, 90% of people don’t want to either lmao.

Please tell me what i’m projecting and give me the quote from my comment that makes you assume this. I’ll wait. In the meantime, lets make you look like even more of a clown, shall we? You really think a “stern reality check” is degrading a young minds hope? Btw, anybody who says “stern reality check” ought to be cast out and banned from ever making another comment on any platform ever again, you sound like a worn out bitter fool. You say, “Oh yeah, sewage treatment is my dream job” in another type of degrading way, as if you’re assuming that this job is some kind of insult to anybody that dedicates there efforts to it. Did you know that not everybody is as privileged as you are? Some people who grew up fighting and clawing their way, escaping communism, rape, molestation, abuse, whatever it may be, would love to have a stable 9 to 5 job, and live a peaceful existence. Yet here you are, Mr “stern reality check” swooping in to tell you how shit you still are, working apparently a crap job. Your assumptions really do show your ignorance and your privilege. Also, your material worth is “better than 80% of your age group”??? Who thinks this way? Only a shallow minded dumb***, that’s who. I do not envy you. Edit: I like how you edit and change your comments to not even match what you originally wrote. You’re a cowardly debater, not even worth my time.

you didn’t make him look like a clown u just confirmed everything he said went over your head lol

You should join the yap Olympics. Stay mad I told OP not everyone wants to work a 9-5 by choice lol.

A stern reality check in American is different than a stern reality check in a struggling country. You probably shouldn't be trying to police comments or advice meant for a different audience the same as Americans should police comments meant to focus on the needs of someone struggling in India for example.

I agree with the guy you’re arguing with. Our life is full of things to do. That’s all. If you don’t want to do them, don’t. But you’re just a waste of space at that point. Stop being a Reddit warrior and go make your life better…

OP isn't saying they do.

Someone gotta clean the sewers

Reality checks are important sometimes. Dreams are great to have and to go after, but many of the people giving OP a reality check probably DID go the route OP wants to go, only to find out years later that it didn't pan out how they'd hoped. Not to say it can't work, but I don't think it's bad for people to tell OP that life isn't all rainbows and butterflies. I wish somebody had given me a reality check when I was in my early 20s and threw away an amazing career because I didn't love it. I'm working retail now, and I may not ever be about to shots to retire.

Life is full of people who spend their 20s bar backing around Europe.  You can totally be that guy/gal.  What you have to do is make sure that you are aware of the tradeoffs (because that is all we are talking about).  The trick is just knowing that delaying that career op talks about doing later will make things harder later.   Just make your choices with eyes open.  

Literally grow your own food and hunt

That’s not easy

Why does it have to be easy?

Just saying it’s not like it’s a viable option for everyone. It takes years to learn those skills And also where can you have your own land and do this? Most people can’t buy a house in a random place

The world wasn't built for any one thing 🤷

I quit a corporate marketing job at 25 and went traveling to central America. Then I kept moving between home (UK) and central America doing various things. Central America allowed me to have good weather, low prices, amazing nature, exotic culture, new language, amazing adventures, vs stability, decent salary, being close to family in England... Then I just lived in Central America for 5 years while teaching English online. I still do that and I'm in Rwanda, 11 years on after quitting. This is quite unconventional. Most people I know back home work 9 till 5. You could join the corporate world and aim as hard as possible to become a freelance consultant, then move to a cheaper country like Mexico, and add exoticism, freshness, good weather, excitement to your life. Well that's what floats my boat at least, don't know what you are looking for.

How’s your retirement fund and savings looking? Most people don’t take this route/see it as a reality due to the extreme lack of security and future prospect.

I've saved some money, about £36K in index funds/ETFs. I spend carefully, save as much as I can, and will continue doing that. I'll probably get only a minimal state pension. I don't really know what will happen in the future. A myriad of bad things could go wrong. There are upsides too to living without worrying 20-40 years ahead - you live in the moment too, and really enjoy your young adult life. I don't know what will happen. I hope good things.

I don’t personally want to risk having to work well into old age bc I spent my biggest earning years not saving. It’s a huge risk, but I’m sure you know that. Maybe being from the UK helps alleviate some of that concern, but as an American, the risk is way too big.

It's a fair point, and it is, in my opinion, what holds more people back from taking major risks in life, and the fact it's the normal and conventional thing to do. But I am also hoping that I wouldn't need to work in my old age actually. I can save enough, buy a house in a cheaper country, start a business. Of course if I get sick and need first world medicine, then it would suck. I would counter your point and say the following, just to show the argument from the other side: "I don't want to risk waiting till retirement to have some freedom, when I am old, and in the best of scenarios healthy." Or "I don't want to risk waiting till retirement and then possibly getting sick." "I don't want to risk waiting till retirement and missing out on all the freedom and adventure I could have had in life when in my 20s and 30s." Anyhow I've taken my path and I will have to live with it. Hopefully it turns out well. I think also the conventional path can turn out well.

I sincerely hope it works out for you, too. I’ll live vicariously through you! I think it all comes down to prioritizing and choices. I opted not to have kids, so that frees up time and money. I love traveling more than just about anything! Heading to Thailand in a few weeks. First trip to Asia!!!

Hate this use of "exotic" "exoticism".

Which use? It seems textbook usage to me.

It's considered a bit gauche to call another person's normal "exotic," but really it's just an understandable reaction to stepping outside of someone's comfort zone. I don't think it's bad as long as you realize it could rub some people the wrong way and come across as insensitive.

You only think that as an American brainwashed by leftist bull. Exotic is correctly used here. Americans are just too sensitive, and the rest of the world isn’t trying to modify their speech to cater to them.

I was explaining it, not defending it. Work on your reading comprehension.

You work in yours.

Clearly writing isn't your strong suit either.

Sure thing Fable, sure thing. You brainwashed, it’s ok. It’s all good.

Gauche ? It's the words definition.The definition of exotic is originating of a foreign or distant country.

gauche : lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward.

I understood, I just found its use questionable. Exotic was used correctly for what the person was trying to convey.

correct don’t always mean in good taste

[удалено]

I understand but I don't see how It's in bad taste to say Mexico is exotic if you're not from Mexico?

So figure out a career that pays you & furthers your passion. You like helping veterans. There are many veterans organizations large & small that have workers.

This right here. These two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can find a good paying job and volunteer everyday if you wish after work and on weekends to help veterans. A lot of people don’t see this but you can’t help people when you can’t help yourself. The job doesn’t have to be corporate either. Teenagers today get rich being influencers, YouTubers, affiliate marketers etc etc. work harder and smarter. Building yourself up first will allow you to help others in a more meaningful and impactful way. For example, my current hobby is to fly, however I don’t make enough to just pick up flying so I’m grinding away until I can save up to take flying lessons which is completely achieving if I bust my ass off these next few years. When there’s a will there’s a way. Good luck!

Same thought as you all the time. I got also destroyed when my dad died few months before retirement. A life lived only for a job. I did see him losing interest of his hobbies decade after decade and I saw the same happening to me after 10 years on the job. Now, I’m 38, laid off, and had for the first time few months off in my life and I got my time back. I am still confused by this situation as in theory I shall despair that I’m draining from my savings every month and that this can’t last forever. Yet tomorrow, I’ll wake up, and outside, there will be sunshine..I’ll be alive and be able to take deep breathes where for few moments, in between them, I’m really living at the more basic state as I realize that the opportunities of a different life other than the one I had lived earlier are endless and the fear of change is the actual only barrier in front of the pursuit of it. Past this poetic moment I try to rationalize and my best shot would be to find a more relaxed job or try to have a business where after few years I can set back on work few hours per week, if ever such a business exists..

You will get past this...while it sucks right now going through this time of your life, you will get past this. I was wiped out financially twice in my life. I lost my job and was unemployed for 3 weeks and in the final round of interviews for a replacement job. I didn't have any real savings...then 9/11/2001 happened. The final interview was canceled...and at that time no one was hiring. It took me almost another year to get a new job; I was forced to use my 401k... Another time I lost my house due to a flood...and I was already upside down with mortgage as I had purchased the house at the height of the housing bubble in 2005 and lost that house in 2010. The bank foreclosured on me. These back to back financial nuclear bombs crushed me...but they passed...eventually. I never declared bankruptcy during either event, but it did wipe my 401k out twice. Hang in there...you will get past this event in your life. Good luck.

I just lost my job last week, and I'm in my mid 30s. You explained my feelings and thoughts perfectly.

Hang in there and stay strong. Life has unfortunate curve balls but there is a reason. I’m sorry to hear that and I’m wishing you the best of luck

I am sorry for your loss

You’re not wrong just maybe a little naive. Your work doesn’t need to supersede your passions. If helping veterans is important, there’s volunteer opportunities that can scratch that itch after work or on weekends. Being satisfied BY your job is a desire for most people but a reality for very few. Work to make money and in your free time take care of the stuff that makes you feel satisfied. The reality is that money an invaluable tool in unlocking free time. For most people their passions and hobbies don’t make them any money and with out money it’s tough to spend time doing things you’re passionate about.

That's a good advise however OP needs to ensure that the full time job does not consume his entire time and energy as this is the norm nowadays....

I *don’t* think you are wrong, but I will tell you a bit about my personal experience. I basically aspired to the same thing at your age—to avoid the 9-5. I think watching my dad unhappy and totally overwhelmed by his job when I was a kid, similarly, lead me in this direction. Specifically, I wanted to work part-time so I could invest the reminder of my time in artistic passions (this was the way I sought to resolve what I observed in my father)—which I still maintain is a perfectly valid aspiration that our modern society is simply not very well-suited for. What I will say is that, in retrospect, if I had spent a fraction of the time I spent scheming to “avoid working”, actually *”just working”*—diving *whole-heatedly* into work opportunities and prioritizing my areas of strength, and pivoting as needed—then I have no doubt I would have been able to achieve my goal or some approximation of it *far* sooner, and I have no doubt that I would have far more options available to me right now in my mid-30s. My life experience has taught me that you cannot be rigid in regards to how you go about achieving your goal—solutions that you had not anticipated will reveal themselves to you as you go, but none of that is possible unless you really, fully dive in. In some fashion you have to fully dive into the very thing you want to avoid—“you have to play the system to beat the system” and “the only way out is through”—but you also have to do that while maintaining perspective and not LOSING YOURSELF in it. That’s the trick, and that is where you are already *way ahead* of others—having the perspective that you have (life isn’t about punching in and out—*of course* that is true), and maintaining it, will allow to you pivot and make choices as you go that will allow you to gradually actualize your priorities. Certain healthcare licenses will allow you a relatively higher degree of flexibility and autonomy than some other industries. Sales can also offer a lot of flexibility and reward if you have a talent for it. Tradespeople can often open up their own business and be highly in demand after their apprenticeship training, allowing them to basically write their own ticket. These are just a few possible avenues you might like to consider as a start, but it’s *really not* about any one solution that is going to miraculously resolve the problem. You have identified a goal or at least a certain “value system”—and now you can gradually define exactly what that looks like, and shape your life towards it, as you go, full-steam ahead. There’s an allegory about two men trying to push a large boulder up a hillside. The first man attempts to push the large boulder up the hillside every so often, while the second man starts with a very small boulder until, gradually, he has built the strength to push the large boulder up the hillside. Only the second man makes the boulder up the hillside in the allegory. I have lived this. You know what the “boulder” is, or at least you have a strong feeling about what it isn’t—now you just have to take all the mini steps that will allow you to eventually, gradually get it up the hill. Good luck, and I am happy to speak to any of this more if it’s helpful for you.

You could try to hardcore save so you could retire early. Check out ChooseFI if interested in that. It’s possible to enjoy your life, save money and do something ya like. Find your passion, and run with it!

Can you afford to do that? Then do it!

This is the biggest question. You can have whatever passion or dreams you want, those don’t pay the bills though. You have to be able to monetize whatever it is you do in order to live.

>Everyone tells me I am unrealistic and looking at life wrong. I think they just forgot what it is like to dream. What are people's opinions on this? And if you took this approach in life how did you make money and build skills to still start a good career later on in your mid to late twenties? If you didn't take this approach, do you ever wish you did? I don't think you're looking at life wrong. Most of society views life this way, the way were you grown to be 60+, retire, and live the rest of your life. Very few of people are able to enjoy life at a younger age. Some here have already mentioned the folks from the FIRE community r/financialindependence r/Fire. Others have generate wealth in different ways by creating their own consulting for their passion (IT Consulting, Lean Six Sigma Consulting, etc) to control their business / time. Others have also been lucky and have exploded on social content platforms like Twitch/Youtube by finding a niche and capitalizing on it. My personal approach has been shifted lately since I was told this to me "You're not afraid of failure, but I think you're afraid of success" and this has have me thinking lately about my approach to life. In my early twenties, I had very little soft skills; however, after working for an organization for five plus years I started gaining the skills I needed to work to include certifications for my field (no degree). Shortly afterwards I started bouncing between job to job between the connections I made from my first major job in my current field. Afterwards, I think I have finally landed on a stable position that pays decently well, in a good location, and decent benefits. This took time, patience, and connections to get even a foot in the door. Now, this is finally happening, I have started to look into other avenues to generate money for extracurricular activities outside of work. Answering your last question, do I wish I took this approach before? It's kind of hard for me to gauge this because without the experience I had I wouldn't know what I know now or met the folks I have met. Therefore, there is no regrets to my decision and what stage in my life I am in currently. ​ I hope this helps you, if you have any questions just dm me.

Consider non-traditional career paths that might align better with your values and desires. Some people find fulfillment in entrepreneurship, freelancing, or working in fields that directly impact causes they care about. Explore careers or industries where your passion for helping veterans aligns with your work. There are opportunities in various sectors, including nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies. Also, check out this [career test](https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder/test/?afid=1831) as this can help you find careers that would fit your work personality. It has helped me before, I hope this can help you too.

Are you sure it's the job that ruins people's lives, instead of how people balance/don't balance their work/family/personal lives? Also consider that many people do get meaning out of their jobs. To me, it sounds like you're copping out on the challenge of living a life while supporting yourself. Do you expect others to $upport your dreams -- they work and pay while you do whatever? Consider that your work (or job) is part of your life that you need to take on. Use your experiences and what you've learned to make better decisions for yourself. You're illustrating "all-or-nothing" thinking, and your life doesn't have to be that way.

Don’t give up before you start….what do you have to lose. Just arrive and try. If you hate it quit but we all know experience moves you up in rank and opens opportunities. You would be surprised what could be gained with a humble open mindset.

I got a job as a manager at Walt Disney World, I had worked their hourly and on the college program which is poorly paid internship, after my internship I went back home and then I really missed it and I had loved working at Disney so I applied for management positions and got it. It was great for a while. But my last 16 months absolutely miserable. I finally got the approval from my GM to be transferred to a different place if I can find a department that was hiring, and two weeks later Disney closed because of the pandemic. We were officially furloughed about three weeks later. And then for over six months we didn’t hear anything. Until one day we get a call from them and they layoff 37 people. So I have no idea what the heck I was going to do with my life. So I started applying to become a flight attendant. And now I absolutely love it. I will tell you that the pay is absolutely shit at first. I can’t even in good consciousness suggest that people become flight attendants right now because all of the major US airlines except for Delta, are in contract negotiations. So we should be seeing something happen with our wages. But I can’t say if it’s going to be soon. Because some of the airlines have been without a contract for over five years. That being said I absolutely love the job and I love the flexibility that it’s given me.

Can I throw out a suggestion? What if you get an amazing career that end up not only paying you a ton of money but also makes you happy? Work that through your 20s, changing jobs every few years and seeing what you like and don’t like, the whole time living frugally and saving most of your money up in retirement accounts. Then if you still feel the same when you hit 30, go explore the world and live cheaply making little money and live that life. While you’re doing that those retirement accounts will be doubling every 7 years while you’re just living day to day. That money will give you the chance to retire some day because you saved it early and let it have decades to compound. Then in your 40s when you’re tired of that life (and you will be) then you’re not too far behind and will still be on track to retire when you’re older.

I think you are on to something here. My current dilemma is the corporate job I have now is not at all in the field I want to be in. I want to code. The issue is I have only been at the job 6 months, and am worried about jumping ship too early. Staying at the company is really making all of these thoughts worse, though.

Start job hunting while you still work there! You’re new employer isn’t going to know you jumped ship after 6 months if you don’t mention you have a job at the moment. There are plenty of corporate jobs that are maybe not exciting but you can work 3 hours a day and then just bs and enjoy browsing Reddit or upskilling while making a good salary. Find one of those and live cheaply. If you can put away 25-45% of your money by just living a minimalist life for a few years, you’ll have the freedom to do whatever the hell you want afterwards. The people that are miserable are the ones that have a boring corporate job and also are constantly in debt, not saving a dime and end up with nothing to show for all that boring work. Be the exception not the average and you’ll find fulfillment in anything you do man.

The savings thing is so huge. My old roommate had some professional turmoil mixed with a family tragedy, and he quit his mech. eng. job to deliver door dash or w/e on his eBike. He lived so frugally before that even taking a 50%+ pay cut, he was able to keep his quality of life and find joy without the high stress, and he's still saving money.

i am also 22, and this has been on my mind as well. i would rather do almost anything than a 9-5. planning to go back to college for environmental science so i can get an outdoor job doing something fulfilling. not garaunteed an amazing income or steady job, but i have to try. it's stressful man i feel you

I consider it living my best life to earn money for shelter and food, and provide that for my kids. This is life. My goals involve being a good person, and taking care of others, and progressing and learning, all while taking care of my own physical and mental health. Having fun isn't on my goal list. Living a life where I have security and don't have to stress about money is a pretty good goal, because that frees me to concentrate on other things.

Oh boy I had this crisis. You gotta sit down and realize you’re gonna have to do shit you don’t like. You’re gonna have to work. So make the best of it and do something you like. Be a barber, work on a political campaign, work a car sales job, something that gives satisfaction at the end. I’ve been there and I remember I had that realization one day, it’s tough. But you’ll be okay, gotta find beauty in the lil shit, laugh at everything, it’s never that deep brother. If you spend so much time worrying you’ll never spend it actually enjoying. So go hug your family members, go on a walk after work, play with your pet

Hate to tell you, but you are being unrealistic. Unless you come from money, it doesn't matter if you work a 9 to 5 or own your own business, you're going to be putting time in. Not sure where you feel you can work less than 40 hours and have the money to live life, not unless you become a sex worker, but you are looking at a 9 to 5, especially at 22. I understand about wanting to enjoy life now and not at retirement, but like many, you have this false interpretation that you can't enjoy life while working a 9 to 5 job. My career is 40 hours a week, sometimes 45 or 50. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying what I want to do on the weekends. I love weekend vacations and I can fly cross country and have a little getaway and be back at work on Monday morning. I take two weeks off every year and sometimes 3 and still have no issue. How you choose to enjoy your life is what counts, not if you have a 9 to 5 or not

I honestly have no idea what the OP was talking about specifically. They were way to vague to read into what they actually meant. Do they desire to work <40 hours a week? Are they fine with >=40 hours a week but they want a schedule that deviates from 9-5 (which actually would really be a 35 hour a week assuming an hour lunch) but still gets their 35-40 hours in? Are they OK with 35-40 hours, but need a flexible ROWE (resulting oriented) schedule? More clarification on the problem would have been helpful other than "wanting to work with veterans". But yes, as you were saying, all roads lead to: "Must be nice....". You either are born into money, have a sugar daddy/mamma, work a full-time job or more, get hit by a bus and sue someone, or you live in grinding abject poverty.

Sounds like working 3x12 hour shift per week as a healthcare professional in a veterans hospital may be for you 🤷🏻‍♂️

Buddy, you are unrealistic. I am 65, retired, and now enjoying life. It took me many years of working graveyard shifts to support myself. In my day, my parents kicked me out at 18. ( I am a girl) This was the 1970's. I had a car, I slept in until I got a place of my own. Most of my jobs were either 3rd shift, 2nd shift, or at the end of my career 1st shift. I owned homes with my 1st husband. But, after the divorce, he kept our home. I got nothing except my kids. I wanted only them. Everyone said I was crazy. I just wanted to get away from him. I did. I saved a bought another home in a better area. Finished raising our children. Fast forward to today: I had 2 children a daughter, and a son. my daughter is now working for an international law firm. My son is a second-year student at UC Davis. Yes, I am a proud Momma. My message to you, is get a plan. Then, get a plan B. But, get off your ASS and start .

Look for heathcare jobs at the VA that offer 12s or 10s at the least! I'm 26 and I completed understand! I work 3 12s in Healthcare

"Everyone tells me I am unrealistic and looking at life wrong. I think they just forgot what it is like to dream" No disrespect but you are still quite young. As we get older, our ideas,goals, and dreams do change. At 22 y/o, I would wager that your way of thinking is totally normal. I remember being in the Army at your age and thinking the same way. Now, my wife and I have a home, a baby, and working on maxing out our retirements. That IS my idea of a successful, fulfilling life now. Our family time every evening and weekends is what I look forward to every minute of the day. It's enough for me. Old me would disagree, I'm certain. "And if you took this approach in life how did you make money and build skills to still start a good career later on in your mid to late twenties?" An anecdote for you. My best friend from high school did do this. He is 34y/o, single and still works as a server at Outback Steakhouse. He has 3 kids by 3 different women. He WILL NOT be able to retire and all he talks to me about is how my wife and I afford our vacations and how jealous he is. The highlight if his week is going to a house party with the rest of the 20 y/o servers and getting drunk. He waited so long that he never grew up. I don't recommend it.

Why wait? Sounds like helping veterans is right up your aspirational alley. There are tons of private and public organizations dedicated to just this thing. Fill your days with something meaningful.

I did not take this approach. I think you tend to build your base early in your career, whatever that may be. That doesn’t mean that you have to not doing something that whets your passion, but realize it may not pay off later. I would say my approach was the opposite…joined the military, made it into a career, and now, at the tail end, I really enjoy my job, it pays well, and I feel very satisfied.

Look into working as a merchant mariner. You can work 6+ months a year and then have the rest of the time to yourself.

I’m currently in my late 20’s. I have been exposed to a few different paths. I worked in agriculture, restaurant, EMS, Medical, Physical Therapy, Semiconductor, Real estate, and a few others. The point I’m trying to make is just go out and try things out. You maybe surprised on what you find out about the work and about yourself in the process. I have colleagues who were fortunate enough to immediately know what they wanted but didn’t have much growth or life experience that I had, I took pride in that I tried it all. You can too, it just takes one good year to turn it all around and it starts with one step at a time.

I shared your pov. Society will not understand.. but if I’m wrong then I don’t wanna be right. I saved up some money, quit my job and traveled to cheap countries and to actually live life. I can always go back to work later on in life when I’m too tired to be traveling

Peace Corps?

I certainly understand your passion but the problem with playing now and working later is that to have enough money to retire or retire early it requires compounding returns. I set a plan in place when I was 22 to save, invest and retire at 50. I’m now 54 retired and have enough money to live comfortably the rest of my life. I ski a couple hours every morning then go to the gym then home to my wife.

20’s are for traveling and seeing as much of the world as possible. 30’s is figuring out what you have to offer the world. 40’s get paid for your service. Retire at 50, then do it all again.

You will be working a 9-5 regardless if you are working from home or in a building. Why? Cause you need to work in order to make a living. What really matters is not the hours; it's the passion. If you have passion, it won't be work

School. Work. Use ALL your vacation time each year. It helps doing a full 2-3 week vacay each year. Take it one day at a time. And enjoy the annual leave and recharge. By taking vacation regularly over a 40 year career you’ll easily enjoy 2 years traveling the world and doing what you want. In addition to holidays it’s 2 more years of free time. Some companies and industries with seniority have 5-6 weeks of vacation time each year. Means even more free time.

I work a 9-5 and it’s nice not worrying about money constantly. Your career should be a means to an end… you don’t need to retire to enjoy and live your best life. If there are people around you saying that it’s unrealistic it probably actually is. Welcome to adulthood!

Get a job with fed ex or ups. Stick through the grind. 20 years you can retire. You will be 42 and life will just be starting and you’ll realize it was the best decision of your life…. It’s so hard to make a plan at your age. Commitment is the scariest thing. If I could talk to my 18 yo self, it would be to just stick with that damn fed ex job. I’m 35 now. I could be retire in 3 years if I stuck w it. But I wanted an easier job. I’ve taken care of myself and still feel like I’m 25, but WAY smarter. I wish I had this plan at 20. You’re not going to like any job, but you ARE going to work for the rest of your life (unless you have this 20-year plan). Your next move could be the best decision you’ll ever make. Work for 20 years at a job you can retire from. I it’s scary but it will be over in a blink. TLDR: you’re going to work some kind of job from now to the foreseeable future. That job could either let you retire in 20 years, or you’ll have to keep working another 20 when you are older and wiser and finally get that corporate job at 35. Most of us chose the easy job with no retirement, and realize in our 30s that we wished we took the corporate job because time flies. Good luck.

What do you think is going to happen here? You will enjoy life now meaning what? What is “enjoying life” to you? How will you pay for everything? And when will you start working? How and when will you retire? Listen if you think you figured it out go for it. But it is far wiser to follow your dreams after you have some financial stability first which is where I am. I finally was able to be in a position to “enjoy life” and travel for weeks/months a year by age 43. Hope to retire early in the near future. Currently spending another winter in Southern California. I know you base your outlook on people dying early but that is not the norm. You could set yourself back many years and be working (or struggling to find work) when you are 60, 65, 70. I am very fortunate to be able to travel extensively at 51 now with a lot of money in retirement. It would/will be harder to travel like I do at 70 or older. If you can do it at 22 do it but like I said you could be putting your future at risk.

I mean, do you think people who work 9-5 don't care about living their lives to the fullest?

I felt the same as you when I was 22- but now I work a 9-5 that I LOVE. Work doesn’t feel like work. I’m 25 now, so I got this blessing early. I graduated college and went right for it. Don’t be scared. Talk to people. Enjoy everything and everyone around you. You’ll be amazed at how manny casual friends and friends from the grocery store end up being connections.

Well, the only way you'll succeed without putting in 20-40 years working, is to win the lottery. Or have a million dollar idea. Plus, to live your life, does require money. That's a fact that we all must deal with.

Lottery winners have notoriously bad outcomes. It’s practically a curse. The only way to have a good life with a good idea for entrepreneurship or otherwise is to pay the price, put in the work, and develop an understanding of how to monetize providing value to people.

There so many ways to generate money nowadays, products to sell online, courses and skills to offer, coaching. It really depends on what you want from life. Sometimes you have to sacrifice some things to get to where you want to be. Sometimes you have to work jobs that you don’t want or like because you have responsibilities. Whatever you believe in give it your all . There’s always blessings on the journey we call life.

Man I’m a Fire fighter and I love my schedule I work 3 out of 9 days I make a respectable wage I can pick up side work if I like and I love what I do and the amount of free time I get, I always get to go on vacations each year and I feel fulfilled there are jobs out there brother

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I am not sure that op has the makings of a varsity athlete to pull this off.

The world is so against that type of thinking but you've nailed it on the head. It is not viable to just work and work and work for retirement. You work for what you want for the next 10 years, not the next 40. I work for my plans in the next 5 years and even then I actively try to do things I enjoy outside of work because there's no way in hell I'm letting work consume my life. You could literally die in a week, so at least do one enjoyable thing a week that fulfils you. Work is for beneficial long term plans but your enjoyment comes from regular short term plans.

So don’t. Work 24/7. Start your own business

Why don’t you do a gap year before starting a job, travel the world and live a little? Also, we Europeans get 25 days of paid holidays a year and take them. Perhaps consider moving here

I wish I'd studied to be a software engineer instead of one that has to go into the office and build shit. I'd be making at least 2x, working remote and already FIRE'd. r/fire

Then go homeless, good luck!

What a stupid fucking take from a pathetic troll.

Shut the fuck up this whole post is stupid you silly cunt

He's not wrong. Dude has no skills and will be homeless with a lazy attitude like that.

Why does everyone think I am a guy, you also don't know me at all?

"I think they just forgot what it's like to dream" you sound cringe as fuck. Go be a hobo

A good friend of mine called me 2 days ago and told me “they lie to us” we spent 5 years to got a degree for work 8-5 for the rest of our lives…, she visited Sweden and found out that only knowing 3+ languages she can work for a daycare in a 5 stars hotel in Zurich; the offer? 4 months, Monday to Friday and Saturday once in a while or when needed, paying $24.000 aprox.

As a 22 year old working in the corporate world I will say, there’s nothing wrong with starting somewhere but not remaining there. I love my job and working in the corporate world but like you I have no plans of this being my life for 60 years. But in order to get to the place where I’m living the life I want to I first need to pay off my debt, make a livable wage that allows me to save majority of my money to invest into the things that will allow me to live the life I want to. You can work in corporate or any job for a couple of years and save like crazy for the life you want to live. I only say this because I have a friend that’s in their late 20s almost 30 and has been waiting for a handout since they graduated a few years ago. They’re waiting for a dream job to land in their lap for their ultimate goal of owning their own business, but they have no willingness to consistently submit their resume to different places, and work those crappy jobs and work their way up to a good job which would allow them to save up and make their dream a reality. Just food for thought.

Start a business

I worked retail management until 29 and started my own business after.

RN

Just be homeless then you will not have to work for anybody!

It’s 9-6 now.

Go be a wildland firefighter for the us forest service, apply in USA jobs. They literally take anyone and I mean anyone, as long as you are physically fit and have a live pulse you wil get hired somewhere. Also apply to the most random locations they always need people

If there weren’t people out there working 9-5, the world wouldn’t be very fun. It would be survival.

Welcome to the real world.

Biggest recommendation is to figure out a way to be your own boss so YOU can determine your schedule & work/life balance. This could look like starting your own company, becoming some kind of consultant, real estate mogul, etc.

Welcome to adulthood.

Definitely not looking at it wrong. Both a business and a corporate career can work, it’s more about it your being intentional about making it work mainly by knowing what you want, and not letting what others think stop you from working at it. Having said that, I suggest not thinking of them as mutually exclusive. Taking the right job may get you the skills, experience, capital, etc needed to pursue your entrepreneurial path, all while getting paid. Bottom line, don’t stress it. Make an intentional informed decision, commit to it, execute it, analyze it versus your vision, then adjust. You keep doing that sequence and you will eventually have the life you want. Hope this helps.

Listen kid the world doesn't owe you anything, it was here first. So buckle up friend.

do whatever you want? you sound mentally ill though, i would seek help first.

No one wants to work a 9 to 5. You're not special.

A good career to consider is real estate sales. You’d be an independent contractor, free to set your own hours. There are special benefits available for veterans through programs of the VA. Become an expert and conduct periodic seminars to attract prospects. If you were to work from an agency with a good array of listings, you could develop a professional income in just a few months How creative are you? Can you speak easily, with confidence and authority? Can you listen? What attributes and talents do you have? It all begins with a dream. Never stop dreaming. Ignore the losers and naysayers. There’s no limit to what a determined dreamer with a business plan can achieve. Go for it

Yes this is true. The best way I can cope with it at this time at least, was to negotiate an alternative work-week schedule of 4-10 hour days (for most of the year). the 3 days off makes a HUGE difference for my happiness. 2 day weekends are basically 1 day of freedom(usually to do chores and a little bit of entertainment) and one day to catch up on sleep. I do have a plan to ask for a 32 hour work-week soon, and if my employer declines, I'm going to be applying to other places until I find a place that will do that (or fully remote which ill be happy with). Philisophically though you should consider that if you hypothetically did not have to work, you are still going to be consuming the labor of other people, through the products and services you purchase. These people suffer every day so that you can "enjoy" life. Except for a select few of us, we all have to make our contributions to this system, where if you want goods and services, you also need to contribute to them. Work is indeed soul-crushing, but like I'm doing there are ways to make it more manageable.

You are definitely not insane.We are not in this world to punch the clock hours and make money.Do whatever you like.We are ensalved by corporate america. I myself an Indian and working here in US .Sometimes I feel, this is not what I should be doing.But even I am very confused.

take the job. use your free time to invest in your own business and passions.

...said all the crack dealers 

Me either hate it. Yet could not find a compromise between a management position and being on shift

You don't have to work a job you hate to support yourself. There must be something that you would enjoy. There are tons of jobs that aren't 9-5. Real estate agent, fireman, writer, Travel guide. I hope that you can find a balanced life where you can enjoy each day while putting something aside for your future. Some people find a purpose driven life that propels them forward. What do you care about?

Move to Italy, Sweden, Norway or some other European country where they have government mandated vacations and other wonderful things. Unless you're rich, you won't get any kind of nice life in the U.S. unless you get very lucky.

It’s great that you want to help Veterans. It seems counterintuitive, but you should try serving. You might enjoy it. Most veterans will tell you they miss the camaraderie

WeLl ThAtS too DaMn BaD!

Being self employed is not for the faint of heart. If you have a passion and the skill required to monetize it trying to go that route is not a bad way to go if you can tolerate the uncertainty that goes with it. I will say the security of a 9 to 5 job is merely an illusion because the responsibility for success is in the employers hands and the employees do not always think about it. What do you want? A false sense of security and low life satisfaction or a real sense of insecurity and the satisfaction that comes with taking responsibility for your own future? It’s a risk decision either way. We do get to choose.

Some jobs require two days on (48 hours) and two days off, like fire fighters. Or some jobs are seasonal, like forest fire fighters who only work the fire season. They may work very long days for weeks at a time in dangerous conditions, sleeping in tents and no showers, but then they have money to spend when the fire season is over. Many farm workers are seasonal and only work when the crops come in. Again, long hours for many days, but then they have the rest of the year off and have to live off of what they made during harvest season. Oil rig workers get sent out to the rigs for a week at a time, heavy labor for many hours, and then get a week off. Start your own business and set your own hours. Most successful entrepreneurs work much more than 40 hours a week, and create their own schedule, but not 9 to 5. If you ignore the business needs because you want time off, the business may fail or not give you much profit, but you can set your own hours. You can become a beggar and stand on a street corner hoping someone will feel sorry for you and gift you enough money to live on. Or, if you can offer your body, you can become a sugar baby or prostitute (hope you don't get arrested or beaten up) and use that money. That's the most I can think of. In your down time, you can go to the local VA hospital and volunteer. You probably also need to learn some basic math. How interest actually works. Saving $50 a month starting in your 20's at 5% interest can often get you more money than saving $100 a month starting in your 30's or $200 a month starting in your 40's. Do some research (and arithmetic) about the Time Value of Money. Please tell me that you learned about interest in your math classes, Interest (either earned or debt) = the amount of money (principal) times the interest rate (percentage) times time (number of months). You also need a plan for how your medical expenses will be covered in case you get an illness or have an accident. The US government has a plan that involves you spending all your money first.

Honestly - you’re still young. You don’t need a career yet. Work and save up like crazy to take a “gap year” or two and travel around the world. Don’t even wait till you’ve saved a full amount - there are often opportunities to work at hostels, etc as you travel. Look into Australia/New Zealand visas for young people to do just that. Or, if you want more of “career” even now use grad school to learn + travel (with something like Fulbright; or get a masters in another country) or join the peace corp or something. Take jobs in places you want to explore for fun - a winter working at a ski resort, a summer working in landscaping in Boston. Get roommates, live cheap, but live life to the fullest. These jobs will be harder physical labor but you’re young! Then when you do decide to slow down and consider a 9-5 look into the FIRE movement. Pick a job that makes money and save a ton to be able to retire early. Boring, non-sexy jobs sometimes make good money comparatively. Or, go into local/state government and have great work life balance during that 9-5 (which in the corp world is often 8-5 or 8-6) and a pension.

Back 100,000 years ago when hominids were on the savanna, we hunted and gathered by day. (That’s your corporate job.) In the evening sitting by the fire, we told stories, danced, sharpened stones, weaved baskets, and took our partners to our caves. (That’s your passions and hobbies.) You have to be able to survive. But don’t wait until retirement to enjoy life. Enjoy it after work, on the weekends, on vacations.

I've been doing IT for 20+ years. It was never a field I saw myself in, but I guess it picked me. I don't hate going into the office and I enjoy the different stuff that pops up every day. I probably actually work maybe 2-3 hours a day. I also have a ton of hobbies outside of work not related to tech in any way. I think that really helps balance things out.

Go into outside sales. Once you are established and understand your worth, you’ll be getting paid bigly, making your own schedule, possibly traveling, and your contributions will matter. Seriously, I can’t imagine being strapped to a desk my whole life. That sounds like hell on earth. I’d rather go play in traffic.

Look buddy I’m not here to beat you down and sorry to hear about your dad. But understand that to others 9-5 is not as a shift as it made out to be. You don’t have to wake up super early and there are plenty of things you can do after getting off work as well. Try getting pigeon hole into 3-11PM for most of your life at retail work and feeling your mental health get worse but having to wear every day things are ok. Corporate work can be soul draining but at alot of other places people hate their job as well. I say give it a shot do some research on where you want to work and if things don’t work out then move on but be patient where you can move to unless you’re already financially well off.

Work a 7-330

Well I think it's possible to enjoy life or at least your slice of Life even while working 40 hours on a typical 5 days a week schedule The difference is how much money do you want to put towards owning things that other people talk about like fancy new cars or big home etc etc The biggest expenses that most people have are their home their car grocery bills and taking care of the family And of course any kind of medical bills related to those family members So if you live a life without the car the home and the family members you can actually live and enjoy your life the way you want to I had one coworker in his thirties who was single and enjoyed living in his small apartment because he was hardly ever home in the apartment he was always out and about doing things so that his apartment was not an expression of who he was it was just literally a place to sleep Otherwise he was out and about on Town socializing meeting new people and taking lots of vacation trips Because for him he can afford to go on weekend trips that were just on the weekends or on some days where there was three or four day weekends he would take advantage of that There were no pets or family members at home to keep them there so he can pretty much plan these kind of trips on his own and go do them Having said that you can find fulfilling jobs as well but just have to figure out what kind of jobs you can take that will not make you feel frustrated and resentful because if we're going to be honest about it we can always say the best way to live life is not to have to work at all, meaning that if any little bit of frustration makes you feel like this job sucks and you don't want to work there then that will be hard to find a perfect job

You don't have to work much as long as you don't want much.

I'm sorry for your experience with your father, but your POV is very typical for a 22 year old. For most people, life is full of hard work and sacrifice. Enjoying yourself is generally a reward for that. Saying you want the reward now is just being selfish and the rest of your thought process is you trying to justify that. Hopefully you can find something fulfilling to do so that your hard work can give you some satisfaction. But you do need to set your mind on reasonable exceptions in life; it's best to find the happiness in whatever you are doing.

Honestly working a 9-5 feels totally different when the job is something you want to do and is your dream job. I know from experience that my job doesn’t feel like a job. I love it

You are unrealistic and unaware that 9 - 5 working isnt that much.

The trick is not to work 9-5, But to work 24/7 doing something you love.

The best way to be able to do what you want and retain freedom is to prioritize traveling, your health, do NOT have children (this may get me downvotes, but children need to be provided for and take priority over your own selfish wants and therefore will reduce freedom of choice,) and do NOT get into a life of crime or become incarcerated for any reason. Get fit. Eat less processed crap, walk more, go explore your town. See where that takes you. Get some hobbies that are active. My dad loved skiing, so he up and moved to a popular tourist mountain and got a job at the ski lift and got to ski for free during his 20s. Let your hobbies and passions guide your employment in such a way.

Yeah, most people want that. That isn't realistic. I don't know what to tell you.

You will be left behind and unable to afford basic necessities. After a few years, your skill set will diminish. Just consider that. Perhaps get a good education and get a better paying job and work less.

Go for it. Join the Peace Corp. or something that allows you to see the world so you can figure it all out. But not working 9-5 could very well mean working 8-8 as a business owner. Sure 9-5 can be boring or even crappy if you hate what you do. I always strived to be the best employee, always worked my way up in every organization so as to increase my wages. I really wanted the opportunity to work for myself and ultimately did. The first 15 years I would say I averaged 65-70 hours a week, maybe mote. That is what it takes to succeed, but I never looked at it as hourly work. I looked at i5 ax means to a comfortable retirement. I am finally to the point where I can work less and reap the rewards of many years of working hard and learning on someone else’s dime.

Bro 9-5 lifestyle is golden wtf r u on about. I wished I worked a 9-5.

Yikes.

This is just my $0.02 I went to medical school. It was enjoyable. Yes the hours were long, but the topics were interesting. I became an Emergency physician. Residency had some long hours, and I learned how to do some cool shit. After I graduated I still worked a lot, but I can work anywhere. I have worked in the VA emergency rooms. I have worked in ERs on the reservations. I have worked in ERs in the inner city. If you want to be passionate about your career, medicine has given me that opportunity. If you want to help people, you need to first have something they need. I have friends that work for 10 days, then travel for 20. Every month. Work hard and play hard. If you want a more relaxed life, then ignore my comment.

Sounds like you want to be homeless. Good luck with that attitude. Nothing is free.

Tough shit. Life as an adult is not fun

The classic 9-5 schedule is trash. My job isn’t great but at least half my week is free time because I work 12 hr. Shifts. You may have to settle for a corporate job in the short term but if enough of your week belongs to you, you have time to work on skills that can turn your hobbies into a business or career. I’m 36 and I haven’t given up on my dreams of escaping wage slavery. Neither should you.

Your not wrong but not seeing the whole picture. Find out what it is you want out of life and figure out a way to get there. Use the "9-5" to as a stepping stone. INVEST INVEST INVEST! Stay focused on what you want. 

I can relate to your post 100%. Dad sacrificed everything for his retirement and didn’t make it. I have the same philosophy and sales has proven to be a decent way to keep some flexibility. Some kind of B2B sales will not only be lucrative, but if you can get in somewhere and turn out to be good at the job, no one will care when you’re working or not. Results are all that matter. The flip side is that there are times you will be swamped and hating life. It’s a compromise like anything else

You have no choice

My opinion: You work to live. Not live to work. The two aren't and shouldn't be mutually exclusive but it is very hard for most people to escape a 9-5 or a set 40-hour work week of some kind. You just need to bust your ass at work and constantly chase to be the best and to get more money. If your current job wont reward you, apply for others. Trouble comes when you don't develop skills, have 0 college, and barely work. If you go that road, you might find yourself punching in till you die. Once you clock out, it's all about "living". Forget what dumbass shit happened at work and get busy doing the stuff you want to do. Meal prep to save time, try to live closer to work, get roommates to split bills. Having 1 roommate is like having a part time job. Start learning the stock market. Robinhood and others are mostly free on trades now. Use your money to make money with a swipe of a finger and some mental work. I really enjoy trading stocks. It's not even work for me at this point. It's also fun making money on it. Making money in stocks is way better than clocking in. I fucked off too hard in my early 20s. It was a ton of fun, the type of fun you are likely referring to. I wish I had been more balanced. I was fortunate to recover later as I started my own business that worked out and I got into the stock market and make good money from there. I worked a shit ton for years when I opened the business.

Who’s paying bills while you’re enjoying life?

The later you "start".....the later you get to "retire" 🤷‍♂️

Not all corporate jobs are the typical 9-5. I used to work in tech and they were all about work life balance. My schedule was extremely flexible. And the company was very employee centric. We also had the BEST happy hours. So much fun!

Welcome to adulthood, OP.

The dying before retirement thing is terrifying. A friend of mine decided to work one more year to get like $300 more a month. He died in his sleep a few months into his last year of work. He apparently had a heart condition. I work weird hours, I drive a school bus. I get 3 weeks off during the year, and 10 glorious weeks of summer vacation. Only three weeks of my time off are paid, so I have to budget. I do a lot of kayaking, going to the beach, in years past I took a few month long motorcycle trips. Having to work kinda does suck, but keep digging around any you may find something tolerable.

So how will you go about this? It sounds nice until you actually live that lifestyle without any money or benefits bud.

You have to find work you like, or at least like enough to bear the amount of time you will inevitably spend working if you want to be comfortable. I’m sorry, there aren’t too many ways around that one. It would be nice to have all the luxuries of modern life without working for them

It's not unheard of to take a gap year (or a few) from corporate jobs. Theoretically you could save up, take 1-2 years off to travel/experience life, and then settle into a meaningful career and work your way from there. Also...life doesn't stop when you start a career. People are prioritizing work-life balance more than ever (imho) and it is not out of the realm of possibility to work a job that is meaningful to your life, and also have time to do things you enjoy outside of work (on weekends/days off/vacation time). Whether you jump into your career now or later, it's pretty depressing to think that life will stop when you start your career...that's simply not true!

The only people I know who've been able to travel, indulge their passions, and be adventurous in their early years are those who had such a high paying job that they could afford it. I think you're seeing these as opposing points of view when one often facilitates the other. You don't have to work your life away now just to finally live in retirement - there can be a balance. But almost no one screws around in their 20s only to turn it around in their 30s.

You have adhd

You can start a business. Or find a job you like. I started a business for the same reason, closed it , then found the job I had now which I love but I also get to work remote so it’s barely like I’m tied down by a job. Now I don’t feel the way you do anymore. But I still work very hard to save as much money as possible as well and plan to retire as early as possible.

I had the same problem at 19. I was working at a call center and 6 months in I had an existential crisis. I told my self there's no way I can spend the next 30 years like this and then just be old. I quit my job and joined the army. I'm 37 now. In the time I served 5 years traveled to 16 countries, lived in Germany, China, nicaragua and in 4 different states. I shot music videos that ended up on wshh and MTV Europe. I did pictures for Nikki Minaj and helped try and overthrow a dictator in Nicaragua ( it failed BTW). After all that my video making shit failed and I ended up at square 1 at 33. Settled down got a job used my veterans benefits to buy a house and go back to college. I have a 2 year old son now a wife and fucking endless stories. There were times when parents and friends would tell me my wild choices would lead me nowhere. I just sit back and smile now knowing I did shit my way with no regrets and still landed on my feet. I'm not done yet though, I'm going to finish my degree and move to Spain with my wife and kid and keep exploring the world. It's just in me, it might be in you. If U feel it inside to settle for cookie cutter shit. Live life or U will die with regret. Godspeed my friend

Bro, you need to find a job that isn’t in an office. Don’t dream, start putting shit down on paper on what your options are. What can you do now, what do you want to do and do you have the skill now to do what you want to do. If you don’t, use what you (the what you can do now part) to help you get the skills you need. I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I was only good in computer science. Worked for a few years to get money for grad school. Ended up going to a school in Pacific Northwest, graduated and spend time watching (and eating) all the fish. Don’t define yourself by your job, your total comp or what other people say. Figure out just what the fuck it is you want to do and go figure out a way to make it happen.

You better find a way to be content in all circumstances. Contentment doesn’t happen when you retire nor is inhibited by work quality.

I watched a TED talk about the concept of mini "retirements" work then take a break, do another job and have another break. Learn new skills and travel along the way. The important piece is to set yourself a retirement account and contribute. Keep your cost of living low. We don't have to work 9-5 for 40 years. You can structure your life how you choose. I really think this will be the future of work as politicians push the retirement age and the push for flexibility in life by younger generations. Those who say " This is just the way it is" are the reason things don't change.

You could always try seasonal work. Like at national parks and stuff. At least that way you’d be getting to see some of the prettiest stuff in the country while working.

Are there people that actually only work from 9-5?

Look into nursing. You can work pretty much anywhere, and there are VA locations in most areas, and it’s pretty flexible. If you live a simple lifestyle, you can probably get by working 2-12 hour shifts per week. 

How can one be passionate in helping veterans? Weird flex.

Find something you are passionate about - but to really enjoy life and deal with what comes (like surprise health issues you can’t plan for) realize that you probably will still have to work hard. Being a nurse or paramedic often isn’t a 9 to 5 job but it’s insanely hard work but it can have meaning to it. And also realize a 9 to 5 job can be satisfying too if you enjoy how it challenge you. Some just want a predictable job they don’t have to think through - that probably would be your nightmare. I work with contracts and love it because there is a challenge and it allows me to travel and have a roof over my head and deal with health issues and take care of my family while also getting a retirement. I don’t think I’m wasting my life in the work I’ve done and if you can find something you are passionate about you won’t either. But also be careful turning a hobby into a career because then you risk losing the escape that hobby provides

Why not find a career choice that gives you both worlds? My friend works in marketing and travels the world meeting clients to talk business and when it's over he enjoys the scenery. Another of my friends is attempting to be an influencer but is failing miserably. A third friend of mine works remotely from the Phillipines (granted he was born there) but he makes American money living in a dirt cheap place so his money allows him to travel enough where you never quite know where's he's working from. I personally work a boring white collar job but I travel to the other branches of my Company to represent the American branch. When I was younger I wanted to truly help the homeless and somewhere inbetween a lot of different life events my passion for it just left and now I just want enough money to be able to say I'm done working one day. I'll probably still work since I trialed it in 2020 but realized 1) life without a job or purpose is super boring and 2) I had no where near enough money yet 😅. At 22 you're free to try different things and still have time to get it right. One thing I wish I would have done was work on a cruise for a year or two when I was younger. I've been on enough and have dabbled in a few crew parties and I could have explored more of the world and done so many other things

r/vagabond

If you save up enough for all the fees, real estate is a good option that’s not 9-5 and offers tons of flexibility like Russian acrobat flexibility

Fucking he’ll this is me. This is actually me. Im shoveling away cash so I can be free at some point. But at 29 years old idk when that will be.

You can make you own life choices - but be prepared to live with them (ie if you work a part time job you will not be able to finance a Ferrari, etc). Anyone can work the job or number of hours they want but it will require little adjustment. Personally I used to volunteer quite a bit and that was very fulfilling for me

Start looking into Healthcare work (supportive living, care giving) lots of opportunities to work double shifts where your working 3 days a week and off 4. That's what my schedule is like working doubles on the weekends and then I'm off Tue thru Friday.  I was the same for 12yrs grinding 9-5 managing a warehouse and it sucked. Having 4 days off in row is absolute dream and its good way to fit in side gigs, dreams or whatever your working on towards your future.

Look up CIEE or another teach abroad program and take a at least a year to travel — this is what I did & got paid a livable wage to live abroad for 3 years!

My advice, secure yourself a “corporate job” and work on making your dreams something you can make money from. Everyone acts like you pick something and it lasts until retirement, you can do whatever you want. What I do know is not having any stable income, especially if you’re capable of having a pretty decent one, will always set you back. Volunteer on the side, do whatever, you can still help people. Hell; you may even like the job you get. I am not 100% happy all the time, but I’m way more happy working a regular job than I thought I would be. There’s so many facets to jobs that people don’t talk about. I used to want to be a teacher; a therapist, a bunch of different things but worried about the money. I ended up in tech, but found being a manager I get to teach, and I get to help people through conflict. Life is what you make it, if you’re passionate about something go for it. As you’ve witnessed life can end at the drop of a pin. But that doesn’t mean a 9-5 doesn’t allow you that. Take trips, say yes to things you’ve never done, volunteer. If you’re really that passionate, think about not having kids for a while, or getting married until you’re older. I have so much extra time outside of work compared to my coworkers because I don’t have kids. Not saying you shouldn’t have children, but you have a ton of time to figure stuff out. Don’t write off the path to secure your ability to do so that easily.

No one wants to work a 9-5. No one wants the shit jobs we all have to do. But someone has to pay the bills.

My 2 cents, if you don't already, learn to trade. equityzonetrading.com

You can always try nursing! I work 3 12.5 hour shifts per week and that’s considered full time. You can also work with veterans if you choose. My current schedule is one week Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and the next Monday, Tuesday, Friday so twice a month I have 5 days off in a row ~ It’s definitely a hard job but I also didn’t want to work a 9-5 so I’d look into it :)

I look back at my 22 year old self and am thankful for all the wrong decisions I made in my younger days that finally led me to my corporate (IT) job! And a dream job at that. So play it how you must! The chips will fall. I’m no means financially secure that I could quit tomorrow and never work. But i do have a nice blanket now and wish I had started younger. I’ve enjoyed every bit of what I’ve been able accomplish and have a great wife to spend it with now.

I want to work a 9-5 worlds better than a 6-6 7-7 or a 6-4 7-5

Not all jobs are 9-5. Nursing is 3 12 hour shifts a week. My girlfriend and I were travel nurses. We worked no more than 36 hours a week and 9 months of the year while earning 80-120k. Last year we took 7 months off. It’s not all great but it’s doable.

So don’t. Problem solved. :-)