I was raised conservatively and have followed that path my entire life. My grandfather was my best man--my choice, definitely not a family expectation. Because of this background, I think of work historically--farmers, migrant workers, day laborers, soldiers, teachers, mill workers, fishermen, small business owners, milk men, taxi/bus drivers...and the list goes on and on and gets more diverse as the decades pass. But the positives that I notice--(1) access to college has increased steadily, even if requiring modest student loans, (2) access to white-collar jobs that exceed union pay has increased, (3) job flexibility/efficiency has increased--employee-selected PTO/vacation days, health benefits, maternity/paternity/funeral leave, telecommuting, flex/compressed schedules, direct deposit paychecks, electronic W-4/W-2/tax filing, laptop computers, Internet, color printers, email, etc. and (4) the work environment has improved--5-day work weeks for most folks on this forum, air conditioning in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Phoenix, and other hot, summer climates. Understandably this might not be or seem true to everyone, but I can list a string of generation-over-generation net positives for almost every job I have ever heard of any of my friends working--blue collar or white collar.
Instead of focusing on the overall successes that have been achieved for us and by us--successes that our silver-haired grandparents applauded but might never have enjoyed--we focus on the negatives. I don't like my cube, I don't like my boss, I don't like my job description/expectations/tasks, I don't like my 401(k) option, I don't like my recent health plan change, I don't like ______________ . The worst vacation/PTO offering I have had in my life (two career paths) beats what my grandfather had for more than 20 years in one of his jobs--1 week during July 4th week, no option. Every 401(k) plan that I've seen beats my grandfather's pension. My grandfather can't operate a computer, so he couldn't telecommute. He only knew two people in his high school graduating class that went to college. His office (textile mill supervisor) was never cooler than the low 80's in July/August, and he felt somewhat privileged because he understood the working conditions of a department full of mostly women who worked his floor---dirty, hot, standing all day, physical labor. And he is the most pleasant and cheerful man I have ever met. He always has a smile, gives his last $ in his wallet to his great-grandchildren when we're not looking (I've bought him a week's groceries once because he wouldn't privately take the money back--a great and fun experience).
I hurt my shoulder last month and have had to do a hybrid bike/bus commute instead of a full bike commute for the last several weeks. When I'm riding in the early morning, my salary probably exceeds the combined salary of the 5-6 people on the express bus. I pass similar people in the transit station. This gives perspective. I worked hard to get here. I will not ruin my opportunity by playing the condescending jerk, by wasting the excess of resources that I have at my disposal, or by wishing for/pursuing greener pastures that are highly likely to be a new verse to the same career song. I have no desire to completely jump to a new career path again. If I did, it would be researched to the nth degree, vetted by several people whose opinion I hold in high regard, and hedged against the possibility of a mistake. I did that one time already. It worked out well, and that's the last for me. Anyone should be able to reevaluate and retool. But how many times in a never-ending search?
I live a full life with more activities at hand than I choose or want to do. I do not live for my job and will not be bored a minute when it's gone. But until I hit FI, it's time to get busy earning, saving, AND living. I just wish more of the FIRE crowd enjoyed the working years of their lives as much as they expect to enjoy the retired years. They're all years, and at last account, we have precious few of them. Please hang the complainy pants back on the rack and keep your money in your own pocket. I promise you they don't fit well, and they make your butt look big.
