I'm not saying what I'm doing is futile or pointless, I'm simply acknowledging the reality of how jobs work. I enrich the employer with the value I add in exchange for a wage. None of this should be romanticized or made into something it's not. It's just a job. What I do outside my job is far more rewarding and fulfilling because it's no longer primarily about making a wage to pay bills.

> Work already occupies your most productive working hours

Unfortunately

> why wouldn't you try to make it the most interesting and fulfilling activity in your life?

I can’t. I’d do it if I could, but everything the appears fulfilling seems to end up being a scam or not obtainable or not worth obtaining for the pittance it would pay.

What kind of work you could consider meaningful, but can't obtain? (honest question)

Just to be pendantic, I used the word fulfilling as opposed to meaningful as I believe they are different.

To the question though, with “can’t” being used loosely:

- Anything that I lack the correct aptitude/intelligence to work on. There are a number of options in this category. Things that while I could probably do in theory, I’d be unable to keep up with the competition in a professional market.

- Anything with limited options for employment. Sure I’d love to be a ~~Haskell~~ ~~Adga~~ Idris developer or researcher in some crazy field with absolutely zero immediate monetization strategy, but there just aren’t many jobs to apply to. Even if I did anything right I’d still be likely to fail.

work is the thing i have the least control over.

the most interesting job gets grinded down by process, by toxic co-workers, bully bosses, unrealistic expecatations and pressures, dealing with shitty "customers" (be them internal employees or external to the company).

my wife, my kid, hiking, camping, hitting the beach, listening to music, going to a concert, watching a movie, reading a book, gardening, yard/house projects, having my cat sit on my lap ..are all infinitely more rewarding than any piece of shit job could ever be.

Not everyone has the privilege to land a job that is interesting or fulfilling. Some people just work until their back gives out.

I can't believe you are being downvoted on this website of all places. Meaningless jobs are crap, and shouldn't be celebrated at all. I'm sorry but deciding that all work is pointless, just because that's what your work is like, is plain and simple coping.