I have always been for the idea of early retirement. Work can suck, so why not gain enough money to be rich and not care? I have accumulated a decent chunk of money so that it doesn't really matter much if I get fired and can't work for a long time. Not enough to be comfortable retiring, though. But what I have found in accumulating this money is an increased sense of apathy. I go to some meeting, get assigned some work... Doesn't matter that much if I try hard since I have a financial security net. Then I question the meaning of my work in the first place. I have been thinking about this attitude for a few months, now, and I have come to an epiphany: finding a challenge in my daily life gives me motivation and purpose. Life has been so easy lately since I can just collect a paycheck. Because of that, I am apathetic and depressed. Aiming for FIRE sounds cool, but then the challenge goes away. I think it's fine if you find a challenge to replace your work (maybe learn a new language or a martial art or something). But the challenge has to be there. Otherwise, the meaning is gone and you are just coasting your way to death. That's my take, anyway. TC: Around 300k
Is this a request for comment or just sharing thoughts? I think you made a good comment on there needing purpose/challenge in life for fulfillment. IMO, FIRE is just security so that you have an option to choose what that purpose is.
I am just writing to feel better. Comment or no comment is ok.
That's absolutely right. I'm pretty new to the industry, I always loved the idea of FIRE and wanted to achieve it, so that i didn't had to work, initially I got a job in a horrible company and a sole sucking job, and since I never wanted to work a lot so i switched to MS thinking that I'll have to work less. Initially my happiness had no boundaries and i was soo soo happy. Soon after joining MS, I started to travel and do stuff which I wanted to. But as time passes by, I feel incomplete and lack of challenges in life. Since I've soo much energy as I'm very young, and nothing to channelize it, so i feel when you don't have challenges on daily basis life feel monotonous and the hope that there is something big out there to archives dies, now I know that you need challenges on a daily basis to feel accomplished. Although I thought for a while that does that challenges needs to be work related, learning new hobbies can be challenges too, it'll make sense initially, but as time passes by and you make your hobby a challenge (or going to gym can also be one), and then the same feeling will come (of not having enough challenges), In short that challenge can be anything, but it has to be rewarding, in case of a job we know itll get us money/promo/praises, that's why we keep on going, in case of hobby there is no reward just fun. So choose something which has some reward associated to it and that reward should keep on increasing so that you continue doing that thing for long duration.
I kinda agree with this I must say - my job was quite relaxed, and I was feeling lethargic with it - but my last week has been very busy, and I feel oddly full of energy I think the ideal is maybe a busy month followed by a quiet two weeks, or something like that?
Lol typical fire tragedy. it’s cause you’re boring as hell and invested no time or money in relationships, experiences and hobbies so think meaning can only come from working. You should see a therapist
^ this is the correct answer.
This is it. They made work the main purpose of their life. @OP either you can reframe your life to not be centered around work, or work will lay you off / screw you / etc and you'll learn it the hard way
Interesting perspective, I had the reverse experience. My goal was FIRE and once achieved, I took on greater challenge, took on more risk, because I was fearless wrt job security. I was no longer so focused on advancement and visibility and growth. But what I got was career advancement, increased visibility and growth. I found it was a case study f “what would you do if you weren’t afraid to fail?” And then I retired because the package was too good to pass up and I’m not sure I make the same decision because I miss the professional challenge and purpose although making accelerated progress on personal goals. Just offering a different perspective.
What are some of your personal goals if you don't mind sharing?
You have watched too many YouTube videos. If you are an IT engineer, You are less valuable than speck of dirt in the grand scheme of things. It is perfectly ok to go swim and catch fish for dinner. You don’t need any purpose in life - leave that for the rats out there. It is perfectly ok for people to be motivated about curing cancer, taking civilisation to Mars, solving world hunger. But if you are in IT or Wall Street, it is perfectly ok to FIRE and go catch fish. You are part of the problem if you think you should be motivated about next promotions and salary raise. That’s worse than not having any motivation.
Spoken like a true PM or salesperson with zero skills to build solutions to any of the above problems with or without financial security. Go catch fish and play golf, your kids will be proud.
They really are happy .
I think there are two tracks. Personally, FIRE would give me time to take riskier bets. It all depends what your goals are. FIRE for me means I wouldn’t have to worry as hard about providing for my family, while being able to be deeply focused on a start up idea or new venture. I also wouldn’t have to be stressing about money crunches and can think more logically for decision making. Chasing the closet dollar comes with a burn out tax
Have you ever heard of people dying early after retirement because they didn't find anything interesting to do after working for so long? This concept has been around so look at articles about retirement on this subject. You'll find tons Can't think of a word to describe it.
You need to find something that brings you fulfillment. For some people, that’s work. It doesn’t sound like it is for you. Use some of your savings to find something you like.
Ok give me your money so you are challenged to go earn it again
FIRE has nothing wrong, if you don’t have hobbies that is your problem
Challenge doesn't have to come from work, but it needs to be there. While trying to attain FIRE, you need this challenge.
People who say this always have the most braindead hobbies like video games or hiking. Fulfillment and purpose in life comes from overcoming adversity to become the best at what you do and influencing other people through leadership or inspiration. It’s one thing if you FIRE to become a founder who employs people or athlete who competes on the world stage. But most people who FIRE become another nobody with mental health issues seeking validation from likeminded losers on /r/fatFIRE for being useless to society with their $5 million NW being the peak accomplishment of their life.