I appreciate that they even care enough because most people are apathetic, but I guess what may be difficult to grasp is that I am not looking for meaning or purpose, neither is my goal in life to be “happy” or even fulfilled. These are things that everyone seems to seek, but I have found them to be imprisoning.

I found this viewpoint intriguing and kind of counterpoint to the intense pressure to have a "thing" and to do it for 50 years and that's all you are (which they mention in this post).

I always knew that if I was going to make it big, I had to have a deep faith in these stories, yet I could never muster that conviction. I still believe in the things that I build, but never for long. I consider that a blessing, because I feel freer from the illusions that so many tech people seem caught up in. But having my third eye open doesn’t help me achieve great things.

Nor do I feel at peace sitting still. I can’t seem to accept that I would spend this one precious life I have not shining as bright as I possibly can, not for the money or the status, but just to feel what Teddy Roosevelt called the “strenuous life,” to enjoy it juice, pulp, and pith.

I don’t know if there’s a career for me beyond tech’s golden handcuffs. It’s funny, no one ever went out of their way to compliment me on my engineering prowess, but I’ve had many people tell me that I have a gift for words and for teaching. I feel called to write, but the things that well up in my chest sometimes feel too controversial and vulnerable. I’m afraid of being hurt.

I think Millennials as a whole were told that if we want to succeed we have to go whole-hog into one thing and make it our identity. If you can't or won't do that, then you're not a success. (I think this is capitalism doing something. You can't market yourself to a boss or to an audience if you like 5 things and they're all different topics.) But I think a lot of people would actually prefer to just be mildly amused (especially at work) and spend time doing other things and not just ONE THING FOREVER.