A different life?

[Ganbare!]

With the new year resolutions being over and their eternal resumption, I was wondering if you have ever thought of leading a different life and if you were really doing things about it? I'm not refering to nearly impossible social status attainment, relationships or improbable events.

Because of a passion for design and buildings, I've long dreamt of becoming an architect but since the economic landscape conditions individuals to specialisation and productivity, I was pressed into making a choice, so I did, it's maybe optimal profesionally but not at a personal level.

I wonder what other directions I could have taken my existence to. New country, culture, language, mentality, alternate lifestyle, job, hobbies ?

Maybe I am asking myself too many questions..

[naix]

Well in a way I have. I have been wondering what would have happened over the last few months had I prepped myself with science subjects to be a doctor, rather than heading down the Accounting career path.

[penguinopolipitese]

it's not a resolution, but I was thinking I might take different direction with my life. Just cause things aren't going well the way I have been going, I figure to maybe go somewhere else and just let go of everything that's behind me.

[Ganbare!]

Good to hear, experimenting can only make you grow as an individual, I'm thinking of diversifying my hobbies, moving elsewhere (I could definetely see myelf in New York, auite an attractive and multicultural city despite the immigration process even for skilled workers being a bit complicated..)

I'm surprised to see just how few people actually do something to change the status quo whether they are happy with it or not just because of fear or doubt.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Clarence Darrow

[Ganbare!]

Kudos to you for funding your relatives higher education.

I have been thinking the same thing for some time as well, materialism breeds unsatisfaction. We are fooled through the means of advertising into thinking that happiness lies in consumerism, this belief fuels merchant economy/capitalism, its existence being prescribed by it. However, if you change your way of perceiving things, you soon realize this principle is wrong, that other things makes us truly happy such as friendship, love, nature, leisure etc.

You need to find what you really love in this life, my conception of it is not working 55 hours/week a job I hate to buy things I don't need. Do not believe I'm a communist or an utopist either, I still need to work and to consume to some extent in the current socioeconomic landscape.

Anyone reconsidering their outlook ?

[rob]

Jan 18, 2010 15:25:10 GMT -5 rudiger said:

Over the last few months, I have seriously contemplated retiring at 26 i.e. after I finish helping my dad pay for my two younger brothers' tertiary studies. This job I'm doing pushed me to the point where I said to myself: Man you can't go on like this; trapped in an office 8 hours 5 days a week (which btw I know isn't that much compared to the 70 hours some people clock in), nearly killing yourself to make rich people even richer. I SAY FVCK THAT. THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS.
I don't know precisely where I want to go but I know deep down that I don't have to follow the path I'm currently on. It all boils down to the same thing in the end. Money. Material things can only fill you up for a while, no matter how much you have you always end up buying more. That's how the system functions and I have a strong conviction that it's all meaningless. Work, consume, borrow, work, spend, work more. This quote from Fight Club (1999) sums it up well - "The things you own end up owning you."
I don't want to conform to this kind of society. I don't want to be part of the insane sheeple pattern.
Whether I'll be going on a spiritual retreat in some secret monastery or simply living like a bohemian... either way sounds more appealing than being an average citizen in the western world and dying one day knowing that my life has been utterly ordinary and devoid of meaning.

i hear ya bro. had serious debts to pay when i finished college and only recently broke free.

i'm still in cash grab mode and work ridiculous hours/multiple jobs, it's painful as f*ck but my view is that i can either take a 9-5 job, work until i'm 65 and squeeze a few hobbies in on the side (half-ass) or l go all-in...... really devote myself to something, put my personal capital/credibility at risk and hope i can accelerate that by 25 years and finally chase my dreams/follow-my-passion.

what exactly do you want out of life?

sorry to hear you got strapped paying your siblings education, but trust me that you'll become a better person for it (and so will they). gotta kiss the ground before you can touch the sky.

[admin]

Jan 18, 2010 15:25:10 GMT -5 rudiger said:

Over the last few months, I have seriously contemplated retiring at 26 i.e. after I finish helping my dad pay for my two younger brothers' tertiary studies. This job I'm doing pushed me to the point where I said to myself: Man you can't go on like this; trapped in an office 8 hours 5 days a week (which btw I know isn't that much compared to the 70 hours some people clock in), nearly killing yourself to make rich people even richer. I SAY FVCK THAT. THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS.
I don't know precisely where I want to go but I know deep down that I don't have to follow the path I'm currently on. It all boils down to the same thing in the end. Money. Material things can only fill you up for a while, no matter how much you have you always end up buying more. That's how the system functions and I have a strong conviction that it's all meaningless. Work, consume, borrow, work, spend, work more. This quote from Fight Club (1999) sums it up well - "The things you own end up owning you."
I don't want to conform to this kind of society. I don't want to be part of the insane sheeple pattern.
Whether I'll be going on a spiritual retreat in some secret monastery or simply living like a bohemian... either way sounds more appealing than being an average citizen in the western world and dying one day knowing that my life has been utterly ordinary and devoid of meaning.

Here's the thing...you may find out that retiring at 26 and going on some Kwang Chai Caine peregrination is just as unsatisfying as being a cubicled wage-slave. You may find a happy medium between Kung-Fu and Office Space. I think taking some time off is a good idea, but past that, you might consider running your own business. You may end up working MORE hours, but being your own boss has its benefits, for sure.