> I haven't yet found a job that pays me to sit around and read a lot [...]
Then I contend that you haven't found a place of employment that values you as an individual and just views you as a cog in a giant machine -- in which case: leave as soon as you can! If possible, start your own business.
(Btw, there are places that value individuals, but they are alas few and far between :(. )
I don't understand what you mean. A business has to produce output that others are willing to pay for. Sitting around reading and spending time with a girlfriend are not things most other people will pay you for. It's easy to value a person as an individual - it's quite another thing to take money out of your pocket and give to everyone you 'value' because they are individuals.
Oh, sorry. I'm from a tradition where "read a lot" means expanding your mind. (I'm assuming you're not reading pointless romance novels, and such.) My response was predicated on the idea that your employer was not valuing intellectual/cultural education.
(If that doesn't apply, then I'm doubly sorry.)
EDIT: I now realize this comment may sound ridiculously smug, but I'm not sure what to do about that. I do realize that I am privileged (by location of birth, etc.), FWIW.
I am presently reading the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. What employers can you think of who would pay me to read that? And when I finish, and I next want to re-read Nietzsche are they going to pay me for that too? What about when I need a break from serious reading and spend a few weeks reading sci-fi or fantasy? These things are simply not of value to any employer I know, and I don't see why they would want to or should pay me for it.
Then I contend that you haven't found a place of employment that values you as an individual and just views you as a cog in a giant machine -- in which case: leave as soon as you can! If possible, start your own business.
(Btw, there are places that value individuals, but they are alas few and far between :(. )