[canpan]

This is the way I plan to go!

I love coding and I have my own dream projects. My plan is to earn enough to be independent and follow my dreams.

Not retired yet, but collected some nest egg. Since then, I stress less, only work on what I find interesting and speak up when I want to. Funny part: I only got raises faster this way.

[pacija]

For me, "following the dream" is a failed concept. It means I know what I want, which might look true but it isn't. Currently I try not to dream. I try to be awake, and open to whatever comes my way. Some things that come to me I never dreamed of, and they are much better than anything I could imagine.

[JKCalhoun]

An interesting philosophy I have seen in others but find myself unable to embrace. I have friends I admire that are more like a leaf on a stream. I suppose by the same analogy I feel more inclined to be the salmon lest the stream take me to some stagnant pool.

[Aromasin]

If we're going on analogies, I'd be a crayfish. Happy to go as the river takes me, but I'll migrate if pickings become scarce. Avionics took me far until COVID. When the weather got stormy I was quite happy to jump ship.

[kinleyd]

It's a risk/reward thing. Some people go all in with their passion first, consequences be damned, and it pays off. Others, I think the larger portion, aren't so lucky. Conventional wisdom is to take the safe job first, and then go from there - the risk here is never getting out of that rut. It's a hard decision, but being really focused on defining and attaining what independence is for you, is the key to taking that safe job first. My 2c.

[dinosaurdynasty]

Being in a rut is better than being homeless.

[kinleyd]

Without a shadow of a doubt.

[6stringmerc]

Also I have been able to pawn or sell extra guitars acquired when works was better. Art tools can retain some value.

[kinleyd]

I hear you. In my case I was finally able to get to music late (past 50). I'm so grateful I was around long enough to do that. It does not pay any bills, but it gives me much happiness, even though the guitar playing is subpar.

[6stringmerc]

Don’t worry guitar is an awful instrument in design and worse than learning German. Enjoy the ride, the quirks, and all the fun songs along the way. Nothing like Tom Petty to make a whole room feel great!