Calling All Dreamers - How Did You Break Out Of The 9-5 Rat Race?

I think I'm having in early onset mid-life crisis at age 30...

I'm certain I'm not alone when I say that I'm not finding my career path satisfying. I have moved around within my field a few times over the last few years but still dread Monday mornings... I constantly find myself scheming with my own business plan, or ideas to pursue a hobby or passion to attempt to turn something I enjoy into a career path. The cubicle life is killing me, but I feel locked in. My wife and I have the typical bills - and the security and insurance a Mon-Fri 40 + hr a week job provide are nice, but I feel I'm not making the most of my existence... I barely have the time to peruse my hobbies of hiking, fly fishing, camping, kayaking, biking and just generally being outdoors as it is now. I would love to devote myself now, while I'm healthy, and pursue my passions rather than waiting to retire at age 65 (if I'm lucky) and then chase my dreams...

I would like to ask those of you that are making ends meet and are keeping the lights on by turning your passions (whatever they may be) into a career, how did you do it? At what age did you make it happen? Did you do it alone or with some like-minded friends? What sacrifices did you make to make it happen? Any advice?

I'm talking small steps, I'm studying to become a Registered Maine Guide and I'm hoping that may open some doors. I have also been making some connections in a few networks, but it's a slow process.

I would appreciate any advice you successful folks have!

Cheers!

 

I started my own business. I work 6 and 1/2 days a week but worth it.

 

I also started my own business. Screw working for the man.

 

If you can't beat him, become him.

 

Lol, never. I work alone anyway.
You do have a good point though.

 

I don't mind the 9-5, though I'm working 7-5. Hour lunches, paid sick and vacation with sick day buy backs. Half day fridays with all the OT needed when wanted. Good pay and good benefits. I'm happy in this rat race.

 

Right there with you man, age 30 as well and have had the same thoughts. I've been in the Mechanical Engineering field since 2006, at 3 different companies from then until now. Each one is exciting for about 4 years, then it turns in to a repetitive job and I get bored and leave for the next place. Everyday is like Groundhog Day, with Bill Murray. I run a sheet metal and weld shop now and do less Engineering but still, can't shake the feeling of going nowhere. My wife and I have the normal bills as well and a kid on the way and don't live above our means at all. I work 50+ hours a week and add 18 hours to that for my commute from home to work and back to pay for things that society thinks measures success. Never have time to go enjoy my life or the money I make. A good friend of mine is in the same boat as me so we decided to open Mobtown Offroad. We are both outdoors people with passions to improve on just about anything. Both have/had Tacomas and figured we both like fabricating. We're hoping within 3-4 years from now that it'll be able to support us and we can leave our day jobs to go on to things we like doing, not things we have to do. Hang in there, it'll get better. You just have to make your personal life more of a priority. Let the grass grow one weekend, let dishes pile up and go enjoy a weekend. They'll be there when you get home from work Monday. It sucks, it really does, but just be thankful for what you have and where you are in life. Things could always be much worse.

 

I have the same feelings as the OP. I'm tired of the daily grind at work. I'm bored with everything at work. New jobs only seem to be interesting for 3 years. I never have time to do any of my hobbies. If I'm not working, I'm taking care of the baby, cleaning/maintaining the house. Rarely have time to spend with the wife.

I've seriously considered becoming part of the tiny house movement. It would significantly reduce my bills to the point that I might be able to pursue a job that I enjoy doing instead of keeping a job because of financial reasons. Seems like a far-fetched idea right now.

I'm just tired of working at jobs I don't like to pay a bunch of bills I really don't need. Most of my money goes to paying for our house. A house I don't even like that much. My pre-mid life crisis has me wondering why I'm wasting my life working for shit I don't want. I'd much rather have a small portable house, work odd & end jobs, and have the time to spend with my family doing things I enjoy doing. Maybe roam the country a little while we are at it. That life seems way more satisfying.

Mean while #arsenj and I keep dig away at getting Mobtown Offroad growing so maybe one day we can quit the rat race and become our own bosses.

 

I have a job most people would love to have, but damn I want a challenge sometimes. Every day I get here I think of what career change I could make and think it's a pipe dream.

 

I might be in the minority here but anyways. I've been at my current job for 24 yrs. Is it my dream job, NO. But it has allowed me to live a comfortable living with retirement, 401k and stock options which nowadays employers don't seem to offer much. But my life goal has always been to retire at 55 and enjoy the rest of my life with not having to worry about money, or continue to work so I can eat. Nowadays youngsters don't seem to think past 5 yrs of there life. I never wanted to have to continue to work into my 80's. That's always been my goal. Don't live beyond your means and try to keep up with the Joneses. When your older you will appreciate what you did and can enjoy the rest of your life more. Just my .02 worth.

 

What do you do?

 

I get where you're coming from and trust me, if I could find a job that offered everything you get I'd stay there. But they're few and fair between anymore. I've worked for large corporations to small companies and the benefits sucked at both. It is an insanely expensive thing for employers to offer any more and they just don't. They'd rather make their company look better on paper. With Obamacare, it has gotten vastly worse.

 

I am an instrument planner. I work 4 days a week, I make 6 figures a year .. on average .. I actually 'work' 5 hours a week .. sometimes less. Mostly spend my time on TW & reddit through out the day

 

Well shit. Haha

 

Yes I agree with you. Corporations are out for them selves because they can. And yes Obama Care has ruined our ins as well.

 

Yep I would love your job. I could come up with plenty of challenges with that sort of freetime/pay.





Hiring??

 

I started my business when I was 26 with nothing to lose, and no money. Thanks to a loan from a investor and the fear of going back to the corporate world I have had some success. The truth is there is no perfect time to start. You will have to make sacrifices to make it work, and big changes, not small. I work 60 hours a week, and the longest hour working for yourself is better than most hours working for someone else.

 

linked in / indeed.com

Tons of jobs, just need the experience

 

It was ruined well before Obama Care. Companies don't offer pensions or even decent retirement plans and healthcare anymore. There's no longer a benefit to having loyalty to a company longterm. I'm educated and I have a good job by all standards. I make average money for what I do. But I have no hope of retiring, ever. I get the standard 2 weeks vacation and my company get bent outta shape if I use it. They make you feel guilty if you only work 9-5 and don't put in extra hours. But then they only offer the bare minimal for benefits. Maybe I'm spoiled, crazy or stipid (possibly all three), but I just don't want to look back in 20 years and only have a house to show for my life.

Sure I could get a cheaper house to save money. But in most cases that means sending my kid to a crappy school or me having to drive 1-1/2 hour to work each way. In some cases, it means both of those things.

I recently read a quote that has been my inspiration for a change, "all that is earned will be spent, and nothing can ever really be saved but memories." I want to have more time to make memories. I want to experience the world, not just work away my time at a desk to pay for a house. That's just me though.

 

I went too my boss and told them my wife is pregnant and i could either work at home so my work does not get backed up or take paid family leave and they never asked me to come back so now i work from home and have a 2nd job. I work 7 days a week 60-70 hrs a week and 2 kids no time for anything but it is what it is.