There has to be a better system than this.

  • Perhapsjustsniffit@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    28
    ·
    11 months ago

    Here’s a hot take. Do what you want when you are young. Find a way. I spent my 20’s moving around, having shitty but fun jobs. I travelled. Saw all kinds of places and met all sorts of people. It wasn’t easy and sometimes it wasn’t fun. I found myself homeless even several times. I still wouldn’t change any of it. I found a wonderful partner and we moved together for a while before settling and having kids.

    In my early 40s I was diagnosed with a really rare cancer that paralyzed me from the chest down for a year prior to surgery and left lasting disabilities following. Now in my 50’s with declining health I am so glad I lived. It means I don’t have a lot of things others have but I’ve never cared much for the Jones’ anyway. If Cancer taught me anything it’s fuck society and their expectations. Do you. Find a way. Be happy.

    • ____@infosec.pub
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      11 months ago

      Would love to talk further with you. Mid 40s, narcolepsy, and some doubt that I’ll make it to retirement age in a way that makes SSA pay meaningfully.

      Struggling thru the next twenty or so years seems like hell. Love my job, but doesn’t make up for the mess that is life for me.

      On top of that, I made promises to my wife of fifteeen years, back when, and I’m bent on keeping them.

      My disease is hardly akin to cancer, but I think you have some collected wisdom that would make a meaningful differentlce in our lives.