I know one ridiculous job you could have done this for.
There were three people whose full-time job was data entry. Except this wasn’t from paper or anything hard. Their job was literally to take data from one digital source and input it (manually) into a different digital system.
My friend depended on the reliability of this data to do her job and she was constantly getting errors and blowback from data inaccuracies from the mistakes they were making. I’d previously given her some light training on databases (like, Microsoft Access basics, not even SQL). So she built a simple database to act as middleware between the two systems, making all three jobs redundant.
I think about that a lot.
I would have loved to have one of those jobs before my friend destroyed them. I’d hide away in the corner and have an AutoHotkey script (slowly) do all the work in a background window while I do whatever the hell I want all day. I could get a remote job and work two jobs at once. Go back to school. Write a novel. And still have 4 hours/day to dick around on the internet.
And my managers would love me because my data would be errorless.
Hmmm if you could create that script to do the background work at the press of a button, you’d have a billion dollar commodity. Yes it might mean some people get laid off, but I’m sure that it would also increase the accuracy just as you describe. If I knew anything about coding or IT stuff, I’d give it a whirl.
I have a cousin who on a dare used his rudimentary coding skills to create a new program for tracking shipments. FedEx bought the concept, and he now is a multi-millionaire with a data company of his own.
Well I don’t really work right now, I came into a family trust when my last surviving parent passed away. Right now I spend my leisure time as I like, mainly writing and doing a lot of walking (we’re on a private reserve) and also I’m re-learning to play the piano and just started to dabble in acrylic painting. I feel like I’m always busy though - but not bored, which is a nice place to be in.
Even when I was working (in healthcare) I took time to read and do the things I enjoy. Usually on weekends or when I had a free slice of time. I know the grind of having to pay bills and how it consumes your energy, and that is a hard reality.
I hope you find time to indulge in what you love most anyway - however you can. Believe me just having tons of leisure time isn’t as great as you’d think. It’s how you fill the time that really matters.
I can’t find time and honestly I don’t think I enjoy most things anymore. my rest time is spent thinking about how I should be doing something to change my situation. instead do nothing/watch TV series and then feel bad about it 😅
you mentioned piano. I had a lot of fun with it for a few months until I started to feel “wanted time”.
a few years ago I bought one, learned the basics and started to feel that feeling of wasting time. at first, I actually had fun with it. it was so interesting learning/practicing. I just couldn’t justify time spent anymore. it’s stored away now.
can’t even play video games anymore which I loved because… can’t enjoy them with this constant feeling of having to do something productive that actually helps/improve my life. tired of this feeling. I’ve been feeling it for the last 20 years. it’s gotten bad lately.
my life desperately needs to improve financially. that’s my hard reality.
I’ve been there. I used to hate having to work 8 to 5 (here in Utah there is no such thing as a 9 to 5 job) every day just to pay bills. I was always creatively inclined and having to do boring work for someone else just didn’t cut it at all. And made me very depressed.
For me, being older now, I don’t really feel any need to “be productive and improve my life.” I just do what feels good and if it’s just sitting watching TV, I’m fine with it.
And yes I do play video games also. I have been playing since the 80s and it’s truly just a part of my lifestyle. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m at least doing something interactive instead of just passively watching a TV screen.
Anyway all I can say is, things have improved for me since getting older. I hope they will for you also and that you find a way to make your days enjoyable without feeling pressured by those “inner voices” to do something productive.
Well don’t take that one way trip to nowhere. For one thing, it only hands all the power over to the people who dislike you to begin with. For another, your one life is too valuable to lose. If you don’t believe me ask those kids in hospitals dying of cancer if they’d trade you places in an instant.
The truth is if you are that depressed you should do yourself the biggest possible kindness and get some counseling to help you out, just as you would get help with any other illness. Also - you can make the life you want, even if it isn’t everything you dreamed of. When things are that terrible, the only healthy option is change.
I know one ridiculous job you could have done this for.
There were three people whose full-time job was data entry. Except this wasn’t from paper or anything hard. Their job was literally to take data from one digital source and input it (manually) into a different digital system.
My friend depended on the reliability of this data to do her job and she was constantly getting errors and blowback from data inaccuracies from the mistakes they were making. I’d previously given her some light training on databases (like, Microsoft Access basics, not even SQL). So she built a simple database to act as middleware between the two systems, making all three jobs redundant.
I think about that a lot.
I would have loved to have one of those jobs before my friend destroyed them. I’d hide away in the corner and have an AutoHotkey script (slowly) do all the work in a background window while I do whatever the hell I want all day. I could get a remote job and work two jobs at once. Go back to school. Write a novel. And still have 4 hours/day to dick around on the internet.
And my managers would love me because my data would be errorless.
Hmmm if you could create that script to do the background work at the press of a button, you’d have a billion dollar commodity. Yes it might mean some people get laid off, but I’m sure that it would also increase the accuracy just as you describe. If I knew anything about coding or IT stuff, I’d give it a whirl.
I have a cousin who on a dare used his rudimentary coding skills to create a new program for tracking shipments. FedEx bought the concept, and he now is a multi-millionaire with a data company of his own.
free time to actually do stuff without feeling guilty? the dream.
what do you do now? is it bearable?
Yeah, I really like my job. I work from home with a lot of flexibility, a decent salary and benefits, and I’m doing meaningful work.
It’s probably better for my mental health to not have a “Dilbert job”, tbh.
Well I don’t really work right now, I came into a family trust when my last surviving parent passed away. Right now I spend my leisure time as I like, mainly writing and doing a lot of walking (we’re on a private reserve) and also I’m re-learning to play the piano and just started to dabble in acrylic painting. I feel like I’m always busy though - but not bored, which is a nice place to be in.
damn. that’s nice. wish I could do that 🤣 focus on my hobbies, actually rest, be able to read and enjoy a book.
i have daydreamt about that my entire life 😅
unfortunately I have to find something that pays the bills AND that is bearable. that’s the hard part.
Even when I was working (in healthcare) I took time to read and do the things I enjoy. Usually on weekends or when I had a free slice of time. I know the grind of having to pay bills and how it consumes your energy, and that is a hard reality.
I hope you find time to indulge in what you love most anyway - however you can. Believe me just having tons of leisure time isn’t as great as you’d think. It’s how you fill the time that really matters.
I can’t find time and honestly I don’t think I enjoy most things anymore. my rest time is spent thinking about how I should be doing something to change my situation. instead do nothing/watch TV series and then feel bad about it 😅
you mentioned piano. I had a lot of fun with it for a few months until I started to feel “wanted time”.
a few years ago I bought one, learned the basics and started to feel that feeling of wasting time. at first, I actually had fun with it. it was so interesting learning/practicing. I just couldn’t justify time spent anymore. it’s stored away now.
can’t even play video games anymore which I loved because… can’t enjoy them with this constant feeling of having to do something productive that actually helps/improve my life. tired of this feeling. I’ve been feeling it for the last 20 years. it’s gotten bad lately.
my life desperately needs to improve financially. that’s my hard reality.
I’ve been there. I used to hate having to work 8 to 5 (here in Utah there is no such thing as a 9 to 5 job) every day just to pay bills. I was always creatively inclined and having to do boring work for someone else just didn’t cut it at all. And made me very depressed.
For me, being older now, I don’t really feel any need to “be productive and improve my life.” I just do what feels good and if it’s just sitting watching TV, I’m fine with it.
And yes I do play video games also. I have been playing since the 80s and it’s truly just a part of my lifestyle. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m at least doing something interactive instead of just passively watching a TV screen.
Anyway all I can say is, things have improved for me since getting older. I hope they will for you also and that you find a way to make your days enjoyable without feeling pressured by those “inner voices” to do something productive.
if I don’t find a job that is bearable I don’t think I’ll reach being much older. ive even been looking into one way tickets as a “one last thing” 😅
Well don’t take that one way trip to nowhere. For one thing, it only hands all the power over to the people who dislike you to begin with. For another, your one life is too valuable to lose. If you don’t believe me ask those kids in hospitals dying of cancer if they’d trade you places in an instant.
The truth is if you are that depressed you should do yourself the biggest possible kindness and get some counseling to help you out, just as you would get help with any other illness. Also - you can make the life you want, even if it isn’t everything you dreamed of. When things are that terrible, the only healthy option is change.