Item — HN Reader

I could have written your post. It actually sounded like me talking.

I'm considering finding another day job that isn't quite so soul-sucking, but I've been trying to do that for the past 4 or so years without much luck.

Also, I don't watch TV, but I do play games (I go through phases of this), but I feel I do this to give me something to decompress. Maybe it's an escape, I don't know.

By the way, this thread has been very therapeutic. Thanks everyone.

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I actually just went through a lot of this. Despite loving my day job as a software engineer, it was so creatively exhausting and draining that by the end of the day, all I wanted was to relax. I couldn't find even the desire to work on the things I'm passionate about. I think that was the most upsetting part to me.

I'm very risk-averse but finally worked up the courage to quit and spend my time doing what I love: writing music. I'm slowly bleeding through my savings, but it's worth it. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I never gave composing a fair shot. In the end, the biggest risk is actually to your ego. There's always another job out there, particularly if you're a software person.

I'm still nervous about the whole thing and worried about my prospects. I still procrastinate. But damn, I'm just much happier these days!

Finally made an account after years of lurking just to say this. Believe in yourself and take a leap. Sometimes it's just what you need to rediscover yourself.

Thanks for joining to share that!

Do you have a family to support? That's a big factor in how much risk I can really take. If I was single, I don't think I would have any issues taking a break to work on this project.

I actually have a pretty good nest egg established from another project I launched about 10 years ago, but I don't think it's enough to responsibly depend on exclusively to support my family while I work on this.

I have a girlfriend of eight years but no children to speak of yet. She's finishing up grad school but eventually should have a decent salary. That said, I definitely sympathize and it's a worry waiting on the horizon. We had long discussions about the future of this path and how I needed to be willing to take a step back and provide more if things weren't working out.

When I first brought up my career change, she wasn't on board because I didn't have a plan. But now that I am (more) sure of myself and know what I want to do and how, she is happy to support me and I'm exceedingly grateful for that. As long as you're communicating and your family is supporting you, I'd bet you can find a way to make it work.

I was reading about director Ang Lee a few months ago and found some inspiration in his career. After finishing grad school, he spent the next six years unemployed, writing a couple scripts at home and taking care of his two small children while his wife (a molecular biologist) worked. If he had given up then or if his family hadn't believed in him and supported him, he probably wouldn't be where he is now. Everyone's situation is different but I found hope and comfort in his backstory.