> But, then I would stay in the dream or possibility of what could happen if I did those things - but I wasn't actually doing enough to make them happen.

I know that one too well :) What do you have on your list? Just different things in areas of life or mainly productive-related stuff?

Mostly career related things. I made peace with the fact that I simply love making things, and there are four things I really want to make that I think could also be a business. Outside of professional stuff, I’m really fulfilled in life (i.e. that’s why I don’t have anything other than career aspirations on this particular list)

It is a goal of mine this year to practice gratitude. I started writing it down in a journal, and it feels powerful. A lot of emotions come out of it, good ones. I hope it will help me slow down a little.

Software engineer, both frontend and backend.

> This is what winning at life feels like. It doesn't feel like winning.

That's a good one, and I might steal it one day :) And you are right.

I should start working on my gratitude because I genuinely have everything you could ever wish for.

Paul's 2 cents:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

1 Timothy 1:6-8

I pretty much optimized my life around my young kids. That's why I got a remote job (before covid) and only work four days. I genuinely believe it will be the best investment in my lifetime, and I will look back and be proud I made that decision.

> I learned that I needed to create happiness where I was, not try to find it elsewhere

I fully agree, but it's really hard to do so even if you know that's the right way.

> I fully agree, but it's really hard to do so even if you know that's the right way.

Yes! I agree it isn't easy to do this and I struggle daily, but haven't found a better path.

Certainly alcohol, partying, entrepreneurship, clubs, sports, travel, and adventure (the main paths I've tried) haven't succeeded in providing immediate happiness without effort on my part. (They all had their good aspects, don't get me wrong, but nothing intrinsically made me happy all the time and I was always left wondering "what's over there".)

Software engineer, both frontend and backend.