Re:Tell HN: I have the perfect job, why is it not enough?
by kens on Monday July 11, 2022 @04:31PM
(#32061403)
Interestingly, bronze medalists are measurably happier than silver medalists. The theory is that the silver medalist is disappointed at not winning gold (as you say), but the bronze medalist is happy to have obtained any medal.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-animal/why-b...
Re:Tell HN: I have the perfect job, why is it not enough?
by freedom2099 on Monday July 11, 2022 @05:23PM
(#32062078)
What a sad life if you spend it not satisfied with what you have! Personally I am personally very satisfied with my life (I am 37yo) and I absolutely want no more… I have a nice job (pays well enough and is not boring most of the time and allow me enough free time), I have a wonderful marriage (happily together for 20 years), I have good friends and I live in a nice place (southern France on the riviera). I don’t need more money (my Toyota brings me around as well as a Porsche), I don’t need more responsibility nor challenges in my job (it would eat away my free time for family friends and hobbies)… furthermore my self worth is not tied to my job. My advice is to be content with what you have because because wanting more will only lead to unhappiness… ask why do you want more? What is the need you are trying to fulfill? Find out and work on that!
Re:Tell HN: I have the perfect job, why is it not enough?
by perfectjob on Monday July 11, 2022 @03:31PM
(#32060655)
> This is what winning at life feels like. It doesn't feel like winning.
That's a good one, and I might steal it one day :) And you are right.
I should start working on my gratitude because I genuinely have everything you could ever wish for.
Re:Tell HN: I have the perfect job, why is it not enough?
by elwell on Monday July 11, 2022 @04:37PM
(#32061479)
Paul's 2 cents:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
1 Timothy 1:6-8
Re:Tell HN: I have the perfect job, why is it not enough?
by borroka on Monday July 11, 2022 @03:57PM
(#32060974)
No one is ever satisfied, largely true, but there is dissatisfaction that leads to action (I see myself out of shape --> I exercise), and dissatisfaction that leads to sadness, depression, feelings of unworthiness (I see myself out of shape --> I cry hugging a macaroni and cheese).
If a romantic interest rejects you, how do you react? Do you cry and cry and feel the biggest loser on earth or you look around and tell yourself: there are other 10,000 potential romantic interests in this place?
Dedicating oneself to something you want to accomplish, be better at, have fun with is always the answer. The answer, on the contrary, very rarely (never?) comes from deep introspection that inevitably ends with meaning-of-life question.
The passionate college runner dreams of making the Olympic team -- just to be on the team would be enough. The first-time Olympian dreams of standing on the podium -- bronze would be enough. The bronze medalist is upset he lost to silver by .1 sec. The silver medalist rages that he came so close -- so close! to having it all. The gold medalist wonders if he'll ever win gold again.
No one is ever satisfied. (fine, there are some exceptions -- I tip my hat to them).
All the advice below of quitting to do your own thing is (most likely) baloney. Down that path is just loss of wages and all the associated stress and opportunity costs. Again, there are exceptions, and congrats to them.
Here's my advice: You're doing great -- stop whining! I mean that in the friendliest way possible. This is what winning at life feels like. It doesn't feel like winning.