ValyrianJedi t1_ir69d9l wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:16 PM

There is honestly something to be said for both, and neither is right or wrong depending on what you really want and what your goals are...

I definitely haven't been of the "slow down and enjoy it" people. Most of my 20s when I wasn't in school I was working anywhere between 70 and 100 hour weeks, making every penny that I could, every connection that I could, and getting a side gig going on top of my time in the office. Definitely wouldn't say it was enjoyable, didn't get to see my wife nearly as much as I'd have liked, was perpetually sleep deprived and constantly had stress levels that were through the roof... I'm in my early 30s now though, and keeping up an insane pace in my 20s made it where now my 30s are significantly more enjoyable than they would have been otherwise. Have a nice house, lake house, get to take good vacations, have kids on the way and know we'll be able to take care if them, send them to good schools, etc. Plus my job situation in my 20s being brutal set it up to be great in my 30s onward, and all the driving myself crazy to get a side gig going then has it where now it's running super smoothly and I can make a good bit of money from it while just coasting...

So yeah, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking things slow and at your own speed, but some goals and things you want can require that you don't. And sacrificing in the present can definitely be worth the future that it allows.

TreatThompson OP t1_ir6agc9 wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:23 PM

Wow thanks for that perspective

Seems like that frantic pace and grinding it out during your 20s is paying off now.

Would you do it the same way if you got sent back 10 years? Or would you take it easier having gone through it now?

Wowwowwowwaaw t1_ir6c9qx wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:34 PM

To counterbalance the previous comment: I had my children when I was in my twenties. Now that I'm in my forties I'm very glad I didn't spend all those years chasing a career, rebuilding a house,... as so many of my peers were doing. I'm glad I saw my children growing up and could always make time for them. So it really depends on what is important for you. However if you have a Big Dream, now is definitly the time to start taking steps towards that goal.

TreatThompson OP t1_ir6db3y wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:41 PM

Yeah the definitely makes sense too and is extremely valid

Guess at the end of the day it comes down to each individuals circumstances

ValyrianJedi t1_ir6dre4 wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:44 PM

It's hard to say with hindsight being 20/20 and all and survivor bias coming in to play. Knowing what I know now, that it did work out and end up being worth it, yeah I'd do things the same. If it was a matter of doing that today though, when I have more responsibilities and have kids on the way that I want to spend time with instead of being a workaholic, I can't say that I would make the same decision today. So I'm glad that I did it between 20 and 30 and would do it again, but can't say that I'd do it between 30 and 40.

TreatThompson OP t1_ir6fb8t wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:54 PM

Okay yeah that makes complete sense

Again thanks for that comment 🙌 Super helpful food for thought

TencilCatButt t1_ir6cv1t wrote on October 5, 2022 at 5:38 PM

I am turning 28 soon and in a similar spot. 70 hour weeks for yearss. House almost paid off, homestead with some side income etc. finally looking to get a promotion as a “review” position vs the “preparer” positions ive always held. I hope i can relax a bit as I am experiencing burn out. I also splurged on some music/guitars etc recently and trying to remind myself to enjoy