I hit that marker a decade ago, moved to the Caribbean and nearly ended up dead via suicide because of deep clinical depression. My answer? Move back to the US and go back to work! I’ll likely never retire. If you have a project you’re passionate about and need help let me know. I’m always looking for meaningful pursuits.
Discussion
People don’t realize how important a pursuit and purpose is for one’s psyche. So many also use the structure of work to build a routine for themselves and structure their social interactions. I’m currently just focused on recovering from surgery and physical therapy. Getting back to being a fully functional or at least mostly functional human again. All my other goals and ambitions are simmering on the back burner for now.
So true. I hope you make a full recovery, it’s always sobering to have a health related setback. For me, it always leads to re-evaluation of how I’m spending my time.
I found the tornado coming straight for me earlier this year to cause much more sobering reflection. I’m not feeling particularly chill at this moment to be in another storm with the power off again.
I’ve never been through a tornado. I hope you have a storm shelter?
No. Best option is a bathroom under the stairs. We’re fine on my end of the street. The other end is a disaster zone. I’ve been around tornados. This is the first one that ever got close to my house.
Pretty scary. Forces of nature, floods, volcanos, hurricanes, tornados. Terrifying. I hope it works out for you and you stay safe.
Looks like it’s just a regular thunderstorm tonight. The tornado was back on March 31st and it uprooted a lot of our utility poles and infrastructure in the neighborhood. So I think the power just went out a little easier because of that.
I’m curious about your experience of moving to the Caribbean, depression, moving back to the states to work. Does your current work give you purpose?
Sure. I’m a blue collar guy, bought into Bitcoin early and overnight I had no debt and became a multi-millionaire. The dream had always been to retire from work so we suddenly had the means and moved to a tropical paradise. I thought it would be ok, even enjoyable but having no purpose was difficult for me. Alcohol was cheap and it’s my preferred medication so why not? My wife saved my life, got us out of there and I realized that being adrift at sea in a boat with no bearing is not fulfilling. Returning to the US I used financial leverage to work in an industry I prefer and have the privilege of crafting my pursuits. It’s interesting, I think I’d really enjoy assisting people with challenging situations, but finding those people who are genuinely trying to help themselves, and who will continue to elevate their lives on opportunity are difficult to find.
Do you mind if I ask what industry you’re in now?
I think a charitable heart takes a bit of faith. Also what are your parameters for continues to elevate their lives on opportunity?
Construction, heavy equipment, and transportation. We’re in the process of pivoting to small scale farming and homesteading. It’s been an adventure, ultimately I’d like to have a line of value added products made largely from farm produced resources. Like anything else, it’s effortful working through regulatory briar patches while still staying true to the grass root ideals.
Regarding assisting people, what I look for are people at 100% effort who just can’t quite get on the sustainable side of the resource curve. Sometimes it’s a car that keeps breaking that they can’t afford to replace. It’s finding those few things that will allow them to move forward. It takes time, and a lot of knowledge about the circumstance and honesty. So many interactions between people these days are curated. It’s difficult to know real people well enough to really be helpful.
Coincidentally I just found out a friend is in escrow on her new goat farm. Same herd she’s just having to move to a different state for her husband’s job.
Finding people like that to help is difficult because they’re likely proud with an independent streak. I know I struggle to ask for help from my family and closest friends. Then apologize profusely while receiving help. Even though I know how wonderful it can feel to be helpful.
I agree with you, I’m fiercely independent myself. It’s a dance really. Often people are unable to identify the pivotal items in their own life, but trying to help without asking and having acceptance is in my experience often more harmful than helpful. I’m sure outsider perspective would make some priorities clear in my life, but close knit community is so difficult to build these days, and trustworthy people seem to be becoming more rare. I think scarcity is driving this.
Community building is definitely a learned skill. I feel like I’ve met too many people that think a community just magically springs up around you. Not realizing all relationships take an amount of work to thrive. It’s a bit like expecting a garden to thrive without doing any planting, weeding, or watering.
Ahh interesting!! “but trying to help without asking and having acceptance is in my experience often more harmful than helpful” Could u expand on this. I dont quite fully understand this. can u break it down for me and explain so i can have a better and deeper understanding. Thanks! 🤞🏻🙏🏻
The way I think about this is that the circumstances people are in usually stem from a legacy of decision making that has led them to their current conclusions. It’s nearly impossible to alter people’s decision making protocol in my experience. I could give an indigent person a million and within ten years most would be flat broke again. I’m looking for the person making solid decisions, but who has just either not gotten the momentum to beat the income to expense curve or had had an unfortunate event or two that are critical to their success. Second, sometimes a person I might see as living a suboptimal lifestyle is perfectly at home with the way they are living. I’m sure some billionaires would perceive my lifestyle as nothing but bad decisions and trash, and perhaps offer help, for my part I’d reject their criticism and their help. I’m happy with my path, and so are many people I may see as needing help so it’s always good to ask and get acceptance when you see an opportunity to help.
Love that!!!! Yeah ultimately everyone does have their own unique journey in this world and alot of times really successful people like George Holtz says “the best advice is to not take any” especially if its from people u DONT want to end up like. It is always good to hear all perspectives tho so you can learn and apply new aspects to your life. u seem like a interesting person nostr:npub14eng8plhflea40cu3lafnw6nwkxsp5te2v7hzy74lz6a9mjhpaks0wm4rw ! id love to chat more brother!
nostr:npub17x7htjej3hgcqwqj86u9yvpcunhw6nz4zclzph2zfnlwe4v0yp8qrxvgap U cool af too! 🖤🖤
nostr:npub1885tphy6fnjxwevlvx4lgkum0pusp4k5u5khthgq844fx8u6f4js3rx4nv you got this whole thread rolling in the first place. All the 💜💜💜
Yall are the best! Appreciate the insight! i just turned 24 and am doing the whole figuring out life thing so its very reassuring to head people with experience on Nostr talk about whats actually important in this reality. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🫡🫡🖤🖤