Take a year off at age 23. Good idea?
TL;DR, 2 years into my job and I'm no longer motivated. Want to take a year off to find that motivation again. Is this a good idea? Context: Been working around 2 years now. Male. Graduated early. This is my first job out of college. At work, I'm doing quite well, promoted relatively fast, and getting to lead more and more projects. I feel like everything is lined up for me, but just have no motivation to keep going down this path. I see the people ahead of me in my career, and their lives just seem so miserable, so bitter and lacking in energy. I really don't want that future for myself. Not sure if I'm even burnt out either. I work <40 hours a week. Weekends are chill, small hobbies, grabbing food with friends, video games. Nothing really aspirational. But which in and of itself is super depressing to me. Struggling very hard in the dating scene here. Wouldn't say I'm awkward. Not ugly either. But I'm finding no luck in this dimension whats so ever. I'm sure this contributes to the overall dissatisfaction to things, but not sure if it's the root cause. I was lucky to have no student debt. But no trust fund either. I have 80k cash saved up. Thinking of taking a year off to somewhere cheap and just learn more stuff, work on side projects, hoping to find something that is more fulfilling, more aspirational. Maybe move out of this industry altogether since I'm still young, and still can. Am I overreacting here? Solving the wrong problem? I think the symptoms I exhibit is like a typical quarter-life crisis. But everything I read about it felt very idealistic. Also, I'm in a very privileged position to have some cash saved up, affording me more optionality. So the situation is a bit different. Love to hear thoughts. TC: 250k
Sorry to hear young man. Really questing your motive to be an engineer. If it was just for the money and that isn't motivating you anymore then yeah, go find something that you would enjoy doing more. If it's because you lost purpose in yourself then try to give back to the community or people that helped you. If none of the above, cocaine and strippers
Yolo. My career didn’t start until I was 29
How's that career doing now?
Great! I’m wealthy as f*ck! I have a beautiful girlfriend, I’m happy, I’m healthy, my job is easy, I live in a two bedroom townhome in a beautiful neighbourhood in SF, I have an amazing group of friends and a wonderful family. I have time to cook homemade meals far better than an $$$ restaurant. All of which makes me very wealthy. And for the brainless TC zombies, TC 250k. Three years ago I was living off ~15k/year and was even happier
Stupid
You are young, so take risks. Even it turns out bad, you would not have any regrets.
Give back a little . Do some charity work.
This is as first world as it gets lmao
So he should shut the fuck up and wear his monkey suit and go to work? And thank the overlords for food and protection? As someone who grew up third world poor, I can say that finding your life’s purpose is not a first world problem. Hearing someone say “first world problems” triggers me.
Oh wait. I was wrong. Your reply is more first world. If you get triggered by randos on the internet, you must be from the most privileged part of your third world country. Stop pretending. OP Go do charity and help out the poor instead of trying to “find yourself” or some shit and wasting your money. You will realize how lucky you are and also feel better about your life. No amount of money can make you feel as good as doing charity.
Yeah, take a year off and travel the world. Go off the beaten path. Meet people who live in mud huts and live off the earth. Seriously, will add so much value to your life and career.
Do it, dude. I’m in my mid 20s and am going through the same thing, except I don’t even have 10k in the bank, so I’m just miserable.
I'm at about 30k, been thinking about it some time. Can't commit bc current gig is just good enough and want to keep a safety net for recession in case can't get rehired fast afterwards
If you have any proper, mindful plan, why not? Don't waste it away with randomness if you want people, even hypocritical ones, to appreciate this when you're back.
You should totally take some time off to rejuvenate and reflect before making any plans for future. Opportunities will come if you are good. Many people take time off to explore and travel and you are not over reacting. I wish someone told me this and I had the chance to do it in life and not be anxious about my student loans, car payments and family responsibilities. Live it up! You are so young! :)