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I've been thinking about making a radical change in my life. I'm thinking about quitting my job altogether and not necessarily retiring since I am way too young for that, but maybe find something new to do, something I enjoy.

I have very low overhead here (no mortgage or car payments), and enough money saved to be fine for about an year without even touching my other income (from my LA home rent) and after that I can easily live off the rent, so money is not a huge concern for me.

I'm just bored with my life in general and want to find something cool to do. Kimmi has been making a living exclusively with music (teaching) and I think it's super cool. I think I could do that, they do have a demand for guitar teacher at the school she works at. Or maybe do something else related to music and guitar, or maybe even a writing gig, I really enjoy writing and I am good at it. Idk.

On the other hand, my job is easy, pays really well, super stable and I can do it from home, so it's not a bad gig in any way but I am just getting bored and thinking it would be a waste of life to just do this job for the next few years or decades or whatever.. it just doesn't bring me any joy or feelings of accomplishment anymore. I'm just coasting for the stability but I really don't need it tbh.


Has anyone here done something like that? How did it work out? Any tips or suggestions?

Sell leather crafts on Etsy

I will sell your mom on etsy take my post seriously goddammit

I've been wanting to get a job closer to home but, this seems like a bad time for job hunting.... lots of people have been laid off and most businesses are not hiring.
That being said, this is a good time to begin lining things up for the economic recovery.
After a vaccine has been distributed to the majority of people, the economy will bounce back fairly quickly.

Teaching guitar at a nearby school sounds like a nice, low pressure gig! It could lead to running the band or orchestra.

GuitarBilly wrote:I will sell your mom on etsy take my post seriously goddammit

No.

I did this 20 years ago when I left retail management to go back to teaching. The 50% pay cut was rough but I was so much happier. Never looked back.

I do not subscribe to the idea that happiness is a goal in life (I don't live for happiness, per se). I've thus far adhered to the idea that productivity was more important. With this angle, if I'm miserable but still getting shit done, I'm okay. I tend to be happiest when I feel productive, and vice versa.

You seem to be in quite a luxurious position where you can do something you enjoy, and not mind getting paid peanuts for it, if anything at all.

What do you like writing? Prose, music, code, horses, etc?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQIuDEHVng[/youtube]

Or live life about the bankrolls, clothes and hoes!

Or simply don’t give a fuck, do whatever


...Cause life’s a bitch
And then ya die...
That’s why YOU get high
Cause ya never know when ya gotta go!

[youtube]https://Www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U9bQbRrsV0[/youtube]

Being bored in live is a bugger, it can really bring you down in the long term. I'd say go for it. From what you describe it sounds like you are already pretty much financially independent, as in you've got enough passive income already to cover life expenses. You've got a whole year's worth of buffer on top of that.

Find what your core values are. Find something to do that energises you and makes you happy. For me, right now, it's working from home on projects that definitely benefit people (medical sector greenfields high-tech stuff). I don't make a TON of money, but it's more than enough to build up ever greater buffers. However, it's not where I want to end up. The end goal is to have a three-bed holiday let in our barn that my wife can run all year, while I refocus on writing music, recording and production (possibly creating a studio in another 1/3 of our house), and working on high-tech IT projects in the field of sustainability and ecology.

Try to find out for yourself what it is that really makes you tick. Spend a year trying different things, don't be afraid to change up. At the end, even if you end up back where you started, you'll have learned a lot about yourself and might be happier and less bored doing what you do.

Best of Luck! I for one am feeling very positive about our future now that our country is inching back to a normal leadership. Thank Christ and Happy Thanksgiving

I mean.... if money isn't an issue... do what the fuck you want lol....


if the rent from LA is enough to support you can give you some savings etc... then that's great..... though, a single source of income like rent can be iffy IMO.....

How possible would it be to do the teaching gig and maintain your existing job? In the end it would suck to leave a stable job that's not fulfilling you to go to a new job that isn't doing it for you either....

Marc G wrote:......How possible would it be to do the teaching gig and maintain your existing job?....

That's what I was thinking - perhaps find a way to cut you work week down even further - to 3 longer days - or just even 3 8 hour days.
Keep it as stability - then use the other 4 days a week to pursue new interests.
Could make for a very entertaining year - and you'll know it when you hit gold.

I have similar feelings all of the time. You and I are about the same age and I wonder what how much that(our age) has to do with it. I think the best advice I can give you, based on my own experience, is to maintain as much stability as you can right now. Things in America are uneven at the moment. Having a job with benefits that you can take anywhere in the world is huge. Even if it is uninspiring. So, I know this isn't the sexiest advice, but maybe start taking on students while you are still employed. If it snowballs to the point where it is challenging your full time job, then re-assess at that time. You will be trying out a potential new path while hopefully making more money.

Think about it, you work from home now. If you start doing Skype/Zoom lessons, you'll increase your income and still won't even have to put on your pants.

On a more philosophical level, I would also maybe give these vaccines and a chance. If we can get out of the woods here in the next six or eight months and start socializing again, I think these kinds of thoughts and feelings may diminish. We are all missing a big part of our happiness right now and it is taking a huge toll. Even for a solitary man like me.

I dunno man...

you don't need the money but it couldn't hurt to have more,
you have a stable job now,
you don't have something else in mind that you must be doing,
you aren't completely miserable or ready to kill your coworkers yet.

I'd say work a few more years and sock that money away. Then do the early retirement / semi-retirement when you can't stand it any longer - like a permanent vacation. You already have the nest egg with the house in LA, so keep your head down and pad that retirement account for the time being.

TurboPablo wrote:.....If you start doing Skype/Zoom lessons, you'll increase your income and still won't even have to put on your pants.......

IDK - he has to show the guitar in his lap - no pants could get him in trouble.............

itchyfingers wrote:.........I'd say work a few more years and sock that money away. Then do the early retirement / semi-retirement when you can't stand it any longer - like a permanent vacation. You already have the nest egg with the house in LA, so keep your head down and pad that retirement account for the time being.

this sounds like very sage advice

EndTime wrote:[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQIuDEHVng[/youtube]

hahaha I am sure that's part of it.

madkeithv wrote:
Try to find out for yourself what it is that really makes you tick. Spend a year trying different things, don't be afraid to change up. At the end, even if you end up back where you started, you'll have learned a lot about yourself and might be happier and less bored doing what you do.

yeah that's what I am thinking, maybe take one year off and see what happens. I can always find another job. I actually have open offers that I could take up on anytime. At least in theory

Marc G wrote:I mean.... if money isn't an issue... do what the fuck you want lol....


if the rent from LA is enough to support you can give you some savings etc... then that's great..... though, a single source of income like rent can be iffy IMO.....

How possible would it be to do the teaching gig and maintain your existing job? In the end it would suck to leave a stable job that's not fulfilling you to go to a new job that isn't doing it for you either....

yeah I guess I could start teaching on weekends... although I am not even sure that is what I want to do but yeah it would be a good exploratory move.

TurboPablo wrote:I have similar feelings all of the time. You and I are about the same age and I wonder what how much that(our age) has to do with it. I think the best advice I can give you, based on my own experience, is to maintain as much stability as you can right now. Things in America are uneven at the moment. Having a job with benefits that you can take anywhere in the world is huge. Even if it is uninspiring. So, I know this isn't the sexiest advice, but maybe start taking on students while you are still employed. If it snowballs to the point where it is challenging your full time job, then re-assess at that time. You will be trying out a potential new path while hopefully making more money.

Think about it, you work from home now. If you start doing Skype/Zoom lessons, you'll increase your income and still won't even have to put on your pants.

On a more philosophical level, I would also maybe give these vaccines and a chance. If we can get out of the woods here in the next six or eight months and start socializing again, I think these kinds of thoughts and feelings may diminish. We are all missing a big part of our happiness right now and it is taking a huge toll. Even for a solitary man like me.

itchyfingers wrote:I dunno man...

you don't need the money but it couldn't hurt to have more,
you have a stable job now,
you don't have something else in mind that you must be doing,
you aren't completely miserable or ready to kill your coworkers yet.

I'd say work a few more years and sock that money away. Then do the early retirement / semi-retirement when you can't stand it - like a permanent vacation. You already have the nest egg with the house in LA, so keep your head down and pad that retirement account for the time being.

yeah I can't disagree with that either, which is why I am hesitating... I don't want to make a crass decision and regret later. But also don't want to regret NOT making a decision and taking the safe road just because.
But at the very least I will give this some more time. Pablo does make a good point to at least ride out this pandemic first.

another POV could be..... it's called work for a reason..... if your job gives you a special fulfillment that's great.... but you know.... sometimes it's just a job..... unless it's absolutely soul sucking, which some jobs can be.... I'm sure you can find fulfillment with something else man....

Marc G wrote:another POV could be..... it's called work for a reason..... if your job gives you a special fulfillment that's great.... but you know.... sometimes it's just a job..... unless it's absolutely soul sucking, which some jobs can be.... I'm sure you can find fulfillment with something else man....

This is 100% true and pretty much how I've been living my life. And it served me very well. But I am also wondering if I could try different things since I've built quite a bit of a security. I mean, I know I am not going to end up homeless in the streets. So what is the worst that could happen?

GuitarBilly wrote:Pablo does make a good point to at least ride out this pandemic first.

There are days I absolutely hate my job. It can be quite soul sucking and a few months ago I was in the middle of a heavy lawsuit and it was making me worried about my health with the level of stress, having really high levels of anxiety causing chest pain and tingly face. Weed was actually making it worse

But the fact that I have a solid gig that pays the most I've earned in the middle of a pandemic when others are losing jobs and struggling is a blessing. Chest pain and tingly face and all.

It's not the time to make a move IMO... unless you're just selling leather crafts on Etsy on the side.

yeah I am not doing anything right away. I will be on vacation from December 11th to the new year anyway. So I have some (paid) free time coming my way in 2.5 weeks. Who the hell quits a job right before vacation Then next year I will give it a few months to see where we stand and how the economy, pandemic etc is doing. IF I end up making a move, which I am not even sure I will, I think mid 2021 would be the earliest target date. I like to take my time and plan things out anyway.

Ostinato Rubato wrote:

GuitarBilly wrote:Pablo does make a good point to at least ride out this pandemic first.

There are days I absolutely hate my job. It can be quite soul sucking and a few months ago I was in the middle of a heavy lawsuit and it was making me worried about my health with the level of stress, having really high levels of anxiety causing chest pain and tingly face. Weed was actually making it worse

But the fact that I have a solid gig that pays the most I've earned in the middle of a pandemic when others are losing jobs and struggling is a blessing. Chest pain and tingly face and all.

It's not the time to make a move IMO... unless you're just selling leather crafts on Etsy on the side.

That's where I am at. I have personal reasons that preclude me from making any professional changes at this point in time. The pandemic just makes me more grateful for how secure I am in the face of it all and that I even have a choice like that available.

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GuitarBilly wrote:

Marc G wrote:another POV could be..... it's called work for a reason..... if your job gives you a special fulfillment that's great.... but you know.... sometimes it's just a job..... unless it's absolutely soul sucking, which some jobs can be.... I'm sure you can find fulfillment with something else man....

This is 100% true and pretty much how I've been living my life. And it served me very well. But I am also wondering if I could try different things since I've built quite a bit of a security. I mean, I know I am not going to end up homeless in the streets. So what is the worst that could happen?

Not just security but I'm assuming you've built yourself a niche in your career. Lets say you did make the leap if you leave amicably and don't burn bridges on the way out you could always head back to whatever industry you left if you so chose.

A short story about a time I bought a bike. I found an ad on Craigslist for a used bike that had been fixed up. Went to the guys house to buy it and he had a garage FULL of bikes. All types, sizes, years, and various levels of quality and completeness. I got to talking to the guy and apparently he used to be a big deal of some kind at the Chicago stock exchange. Sounded like your typical finance guy living to work and working to live while making stacks and stacks. His house in Chicago was probably 800k - 1mil and was totally paid off. He had no debt and a big nut in the bank. One day his son ded in a tragic accident and it really rocked the guys world. Realized he had spent the majority of his life working on something that didn't make him happy to get money that also didn't necessarily make him happy. Generally when I saw happy in the context I also mean fulfilled. He felt pretty crushed as to how he had spent his time and felt he hadn't spent enough time with his son and clearly had A LOT of regret tied to that.
Ultimately the guy quit his job, reshuffled his priorities, and just started buying old bikes and fixing them up in his garage because he always liked bikes and working on them. All he did all day was meet new people, talk to them, sell them great bikes at a great price, and enjoy the sunshine and working with his hands. Like I said you could tell the regret he had for how he had spent his time but seemed like he was really in a better place relatively. He also now had more time to spend with other people he cared about that were still around (I think he had another kid) and he seemed really happy for that.

I know your story is very different but meeting this guy and hearing his story has always stuck in the back of my mind. I'm in nowhere near the level of security that you are but if I were I'd strongly consider doing something like that even if it were just to find out if its for me. Lately I've started building furniture in my garage and I'd probably try doing that for awhile if I could. Theres something for being said for doing something that is fulfilling in and of itself.