This seems like sound advice, yet it’s sometimes hard to know if I’m following it.
I’ve heard it said that you shouldn’t aim for FIRE to get away from something. You should be running TO something.
I’m with you, but sometimes knowing what I DON’T want is instrumental in figuring out what I do want.
Burnout is catching up with me. It has been for the last month or two. My job has been better from me in the respect that I prefer working from home. I get paid a great salary with great benefits.
But holy moly, it’s time for a break. When I think about doing this for another decade until I hit FIRE, it seems overwhelming.
I’ve been holding off on taking time off because our team is down one pretty crucial person. And if you didn’t know, THE GOVERNMENT TAKES FOREVER TO DO ANYTHING… including hiring new employees.
So I’ve been waiting on taking leave in hopes that I won’t have to dump all of my work on someone else. When the new teammate finally (going on 6 months now) gets hired, I won’t feel so bad. But I’m reaching my limit.
My plan is to be work optional by the end of the decade. I’m open to Barista FIRE too. In fact, that’s probably what I’ll end up doing, just in a field that’s more fun. In the meantime, though, I feel really stuck. Again, total first world problems here, but I can’t get paid this salary if I leave this industry. I don’t have my bachelors degree, and my talents outside of work aren’t what I would call profitable.
I’m keeping my eye on the prize, and we are about a year into pursuing FIRE now. Progress is so motivating, but I’m just scared to think about the next ten or so years in this same industry.
To be honest, a lot of motivation comes from me thinking, “I cannot wait to not do this anymore.” And that kind of sucks. So I may need to adjust plans to either reach FIRE earlier or make arrangements for a career change (and likely a major pay cut). Hubby is still pursuing a new career field, so in a few years, maybe that will be a realistic option for me too once he’s established.
FIRE motivation works completely inversely with career ambition for me. The idea of managing my days as I see fit is really seductive… and yet I feel so little motivation to progress in this career. At this point, I’d rather just stick it out in the position I’m in to reach my goals outside of work. Climbing the ladder and seeking new challenges in this field just sounds stressful (yet boring at the same time).
There’s no answer here for me yet. I definitely need to take time to get away from it for a bit, reevaluate things. Maybe it’s just a slump.
Do you find motivation in getting away from a situation? Do you think it’s healthy?
-K