The expectations set for most of us surrounding work and life were unrealistic at best. That’s only compounded by the constant barrage of online influencers and motivational speakers flooding TikTok, YT, IG, etc.

There could be a realignment as our generations and the next realize what we were sold doesn’t match what is, if we’re willing to give up on all being rich and famous.

That doesn’t mean that reality has to be less satisfying than the dream. Lots of successful people are unhappy and unsatisfied. Contentment can only come from within.

Absolutely. Jobs are a means to an end. I fully support people finding meaning in their work but for a lot of people it’s literally just so we don’t starve. I don’t need to make six figures+ (obviously dependent on region) to be happy. I just need to enough for food, a bed and then to not stress too much about it when I’m done. “I don’t dream of laboring.”

I don’t work anymore but my husband has had the same job for 25 years. He’s happy there. He has a union and a pension. No reason to move up the ladder when that would remove his union status and he’d be no longer leaving work at work. He has no plans to ever get promoted. Raises are appreciated and negotiated by the union. We’re glad he’s able to have that balance and plenty of time to hang out with me and the dog. The only time he’s overly busy is when he chooses to do overtime but he’ll never be mandated to do so due to his seniority.

He asks me all the time if it’s a problem for me that he’s not more ambitious career-wise but I don’t think it’s worth it to trade in your leisure time for money if you can afford to get by without it. We keep our expenses pretty low so there’s no need. If he does overtime to take the load off his coworkers a bit we use that money for savings or paying down debt.