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Comment by lux | Hacker News Reader

Been a while since I've posted anything on here, but this one was really personal to write and I wanted to share it with the HN community where I largely lurk but still count myself among.

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It resonates with me pretty significantly as well, especially since I think the point you were at when you were 25 is about the same point I'm at now. I guess it's the prototypical "quarter-life crisis" which a lot of people go through. The difference with me is that though I'm working full-time, I don't own my own business, and I don't really feel in control of my life as much as you presumably did. (Which, if I'm reading you right, is saying something.) But that fear and uncertainty is really difficult to deal with, and it definitely can be difficult for those people around you.

I don't know if I'm going to come to the same conclusions as you though. I feel like I need to make a change, and I can't let myself get complacent with my current situation. It's all too easy to let myself stagnate.

Great spot of writing, love it! Finally put to words something I've been trying to phrase myself: "we are not job functions, we are human beings". Plus that whole 'it's OK to not know exactly what you want to do because you're leaving your options open' bit is great as well.

I agree. I always say 'work to live, don't live to work', which is my way of saying the same thing.

I liked this as well: 'I had been dreaming all my life, but I felt like I was finally free to dream'. This is where I am at in life right now, and it is beautiful.

Your story reminds me of myself before I read "So Good They Can't Ignore You" - https://sivers.org/book/SoGood

The book completely changed the way I look at work/career/etc, and I wish I could have read it 20 years ago. It finally freed me from the catastrophe of "follow your passion".

Agreed. That's a book I would recommend for every high school student. It continues to help me focus my own efforts.

I'm recommending it (and buying copies for) friends/family of mine who are parents. I am convinced that if I can instil in my 4 year old the theory put forth in the book, he will be light-years ahead of almost everyone else who are susceptible to being tricked by the passion-hypothosis.

I got shivers by reading "I found my voice, and I found my heart."

I don't know why this resonates that much in me, I just feel so deeply touched by this phrase. And feel honestly happy for you.

Thank you, beautiful read. And 'Welcome' :)

Thanks for the kind words, and I'm really moved that this resonates with others on here! I left this up last night and went to bed assuming it was already buried, so this is an awesome surprise :)

This was a nice read. And I think this was the first comment I made on HN since years or so? lol.

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