[oreally]

It seems like you've 'made it', so why aren't you taking a step back to gain some perspective and try out things you haven't been able to?

Also, make peace with the fact you won't be able to get a drive similar to your youth due to the amount of responsibilities you have now. I've accepted that, and you're likely financially better off than me.

[lost_founder]

I am trying to take that step back, actually. I’d never really traveled, so I made that largely my focus this year. That was great.

I guess I’m referring to it from a work perspective; without moving to a different state/country (which is a possibility but my family is all here) I can’t retire where I’m at now given what I have. Moreover, I’m not even sure what “retirement” means; I feel like I’ll have the same feeling I have now, without knowing what drives me.

I guess I’m missing my “drive” or “mission” I once had; is that a thing you lose from youth? I’m 35, so not exactly old, but I’m not 22 anymore either.

[oreally]

34 here, got the same issue you have with the drive I had from my earlier years of an unprofitable project.

One thing I'm trying to do is keep up the consistency with searching for whatever fancies my interest, and let it come naturally as I dive down the rabbit hole on whatever topic I am interested in. Eventually I reach a point where I can see a path to setup something that requires substantial effort and commitment (usually a job or a project). So it's like an interest transforming into a mission and therefore leads to drive. Maybe that's the flow you need.