Comment by sceptical | Hacker News Reader

Comment by sceptical | Hacker News Reader

I retired four years ago just before hitting 50 years of age. There is no real purpose and never was. I got my degree, worked in a field I loved. I was good at it, learned and was successful. But there never was any real purpose except personal growth and being challenged in my field of expertise. I've seen CEOs come and go, engineers much smarter than me leave and poor replacements being hired. Nothing ever really changed. In the work setting nobody is truly important.

I don't know what Loom is and I don't really care. It was not spectacular. It doesn't matter. You succeeded. Now you can start on a new part of life. One where you do not have to prove your ability, you already did. So enjoy, you've earned it.

I am sitting in the cold, snowy Scandinavia. In a few days time I will be travelling to Spain. I cannot wait. When I leave the airport and walk into the sun and the heat, I will be grinning like a madman. After a week of hiking / running, exploring and drinking cold beers in sun I will return home and once I leave the airport I will sigh with relief, home sweet home. After a few days of chores at home I will start looking forward to the trip that is already booked for the next week.

Life is great.

> There is no real purpose and never was.

Some people find this utterly depressing and nihilistic, but personally, I find it freeing.

The universe does not expect anything from you. That means you should do the most to simply enjoy life. Have fun and experience wonder. If you have the money to do whatever the hell you want, then do whatever the hell you want.

I already know what I'd do. I'd spend an entire summer on a massive road trip around the USA, visiting every major theme park. When winter hits, I'd go somewhere tropical and sip Mai Tais on the beach. Or travel to the north and drink a beer under the Northern Lights every night.

When free time becomes unlimited, I'd no longer feel like I need to min/max the usage of it.

Shit, just being able to go without an alarm clock for nearly every day of the year would bring immense happiness.

I’m with you

Sounds like you have had purpose for your entire adult life? What am I missing when you say "there is no real purpose"? Does the word "purpose" have some great significance that you feel a life lived well does not deliver?

What is a life lived well? It is very personal isn't it. There is no intended result or end goal. No greater meaning. I like my life but others may find it meaningless.

The poster asks "Why do I feel the need to only be on a journey if it’s grand?". Makes no sense to me. It is only grand in his head.

Yeah... you nailed it.

In the same situation, same age, I just didn't retire (but I can), because I still like my job.

I am mostly at home, working and doing hobbies, and most people would say that my life is lame and that I should travel more or something (and they do). But 2 me, it's the best life now ever and every day I say "everything is awesome", especially when I feel down a bit (hormones & friends, nothing else, waiting to pass).

You don't need anything except enough money so you don't have to micromanage your life expenditures (the only other thing money can't buy is love, and I was lucky there too (was it luck, really?))

I do have delusions of grand projects. But I don't mind that, even knowing the probability. Consistency needs to be practised anyway...

It's not that warm in Spain right now though. Maybe canary islands?

This is living the dream. Congrats.

Hell yeah dude. Have fun!

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