this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2024
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me_irl
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When I was a teenager, I felt like 40+ was so old that your life was pretty much over and not worth living, but I've done so much self-actualization since my mid-30s that I'm still unlocking many of the things I hadn't previously thought I could do, like find a job I actually love, create stuff I'm proud of and have gotten positive feedback on, getting recognized for my skills and interests, etc. It's unfortunate that it can take a while to get around to doing some worthwhile stuff, but it's better now than later, regardless of what age you are. Thinking there wasn't much more after 40 was just a limitation of perspective on my part.
I'm ancient. When I started working, the company had a pension that would have allowed me to retire at 55 with 85% of my final salary. Many years ago, they got rid of the pension program (I'll still get something, but far, far less).
When I turned 55, I was initially pissed off about that. Then I realized that I likely still had 30 years or more to live. That's a really long time, and it hadn't really occurred to me before.
988 suicide hotline... You're probably just joking, but just in case
I don't not want it... When's your 35th birthday?
Feel free to DM me... Or do call 988... Whatever is troubling you, there's help available. Don't take yourself out before you get to do the the fun side quests!
If you've only got a year left, do some wild stuff different from your current life, experience all the things you won't be able to experience after. Do all the things that you'd say no to like traveling cheaply/hitchhiking/walking, falling in love carelessly, speaking freely, and even starving, and disappointing people.
There are no experiences once you opt out, so, yolo it unironically.
Potentially at some point you think it's still worthwhile living, but, if not, at least you experienced as much as you could.
The sky's the limit, most people don't do things because of their long term effects and chance for death and harm - if you don't have that limit - use it to your advantage
Well, alright... I hope you're not suffering... Best of luck to you