I hate engaging in surrogate activities which are only abstractly related to the things I need to survive. Even though I understand it's necessary due to the sophistication of manufacturing and the economies of scale of it all, it's mentally destructive.

The worst part of software development for me is knowing that all of my work will eventually be thrown away or useless soon.

I stopped caring about my work completely. I force myself to continue because only because it pays well for the amount of time I spend on it. I make much less than SV types on here. But it's much more efficient than any alternatives I have identified so far, even though I accomplish nearly nothing essential. My current job only exists because a bureaucrat decided their government needs to invasively monitor my company's financial activity. How useful!

I only care about my family, especially my children, and the time I spend together with them chilling, cooking, playing, and learning.