[BigBubba]

26 this year. For the last two months I've been working 70 hours a week + weekend (10 hours per day, every day). Half of my work is making money, the other half is learning new craft. If I want to get paid for the other part I have to stay on the frontline for few more months. Then it may or may not pay off.

I've developed passion for sleep. Having any kind of relationship right now seems impossible. I'm way too tired. I sleep for 8 hours to stay healthy which leaves me 6 hours per day to live outside of work. At least 2 of them I spent resting, tired. And then I have to get food, cook something, maybe workout. No friends, no girlfriends, no hobbys.

I'm aware that many of you here are much older than me. Am I doing the right thing? I know that if I stay strong, I'm gonna turn learning new craft into a new, pretty awesome job. The price is high though. I've had two major breakdowns so far. My T put me back on my feet.

[Britedark]

Yes I am way older than you, and I've learned many lessons along the way. The most important lesson is that my body and mind are everything to me. As long as I have my health and sanity, everything else will fall into place. You are getting adequate rest and I assume you eat healthy, but you've had two major breakdowns already. Please don't ignore your mental wellbeing. Yes, money is important but not at the cost of your mental health. Eventually the high levels of cortisol and other stress factors will seep into your physical health as well. We are social beings. We need rest and recreation, and we need social interaction. Your body is giving you some powerful messages right now. Listen to them. Pace things keeping the long term in mind, because you plan on living on this planet for a long time. Body and mind are priceless things. Nothing can replace them ever. Even Steve Jobs realised it when he got sick.

[MickeyCheeky]

It seems like you're working hard to build your future and that is good, but please be careful about overdoing it. i agree with the wise and wonderful Britedark that the nervous breakdowns should serve as an indication that perhaps you need some rest. Try to find a way to reduce your work hours if possible. Your mental health is important. Stay Safe. Sending many Safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @BigBubba, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[Open Eyes]

It’s not a waste to pursue learning how to do something you really want to learn how to do. Twenty six is still young and many actually engage in further education to attain a career they want to work in.

[lizardlady]

This might sound like a cop out answer, but we can't decide for you if you are wasting your time. What is important is whether you feel you are wasting it. Is there something you would rather be doing? Is there something you feel you are missing out on? I would encourage you to look at the situation from the perspective of what you want from life, not what others tell you you should want or some societal expectation. Then go for what your heart says.

You say you are spending half the time learning a new craft. What if you were in graduate school earning an advanced degree? Would that be wasting your time?

[Bill3]

[mssweatypalms]

I used to do the same thing. I still have two jobs, but I used to work at least 16 hours a day on weekdays and around 12 hours on weekends. Accepting projects for my second job was very tough for me, but I did it because of the pressure I received from other professionals, friends and relatives. It didn't last long. I was constantly burned out and was not happy anymore. I was in that situation until I was 29 and questioned what I'm doing with my life. I had a similar question "Am I wasting my precious time on earth?" Because of that, I started dating, attending meetup events, and trying out new hobbies. COVID came and I still haven't figured out what to do with my dating and social life. It really depends on how you feel about your situation. It might be the best timing to try something new.

[BigBubba]

Originally Posted by mssweatypalms

I used to do the same thing. I still have two jobs, but I used to work at least 16 hours a day on weekdays and around 12 hours on weekends. Accepting projects for my second job was very tough for me, but I did it because of the pressure I received from other professionals, friends and relatives. It didn't last long. I was constantly burned out and was not happy anymore. I was in that situation until I was 29 and questioned what I'm doing with my life. I had a similar question "Am I wasting my precious time on earth?" Because of that, I started dating, attending meetup events, and trying out new hobbies. COVID came and I still haven't figured out what to do with my dating and social life. It really depends on how you feel about your situation. It might be the best timing to try something new.

16 per week and 12 per weekend is a total quitting on life IMO. I mean I can still manage to get few free evenings while doing 10 per day every day.

[mssweatypalms]

Originally Posted by BigBubba

16 per week and 12 per weekend is a total quitting on life IMO. I mean I can still manage to get few free evenings while doing 10 per day every day.

Now, I can just do 9 hours a day since I lack energy. I even took a break this weekend. I have to catch up on my second job, though. I need to finish everything to meet my deadlines.

[Scarbearer]

I dont know as much as these others but I can be honest and perhaps that will be of use.

I am unbelievably good at just about everything I try and I work very hard at anything I do but it is a compensation for the complete absence of balance in my life. I have almost no family. No friends, and no social life. I am able to Excell at whatever I do because it becomes my only focus. I do not think you should be like me. Find balance in life and whatever it is that makes you feel achievement, and do that.

Do not seek to be happy. Seek responsibility and purpose, happiness will follow without effort....I may be full of Bleep but that's my 2 cents.

[BigBubba]

Originally Posted by Scarbearer

I do not think you should be like me.

lol I think I am like you. The difference is I'm not good at whatever I do. I'm good at one thing and I want to push it so I become great at it.

[poshgirl]

BigBubba, I admire your enthusiasm to be great at what you do.

However, you are becoming aware of the cost to your body and mind. It's good that you are so driven, but it's not good to feel burned out at your age. There is so much ahead of you and your health is an important part of that future.

Is it worth continuing, only you can answer. Many older people have regretted not putting in the extra to achieve their goals. If you can't take a couple of days off, maybe a few hours doing something totally different could help your focus.

[Have Hope]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

This might sound like a cop out answer, but we can't decide for you if you are wasting your time. What is important is whether you feel you are wasting it. Is there something you would rather be doing? Is there something you feel you are missing out on? I would encourage you to look at the situation from the perspective of what you want from life, not what others tell you you should want or some societal expectation. Then go for what your heart says.

You say you are spending half the time learning a new craft. What if you were in graduate school earning an advanced degree? Would that be wasting your time?

[RDMercer]

To kind of echo what Have Hope has said....

For years, I actually thought I was happy. I would tell people, "I'm the happiest guy I know." I thought being busy and progressing equalled happy.

Then I did a little self assessment quiz for depression on this site. And I went, "Wow.... I am not emotionally vulnerable to anyone. I don't have outside interests and downtime that I look forward too. I don't have people I pursue enrichment activities with."

If you are a goal-motivated person, keep something in mind; emotional intelligence is emerging as one of the strongest predictors of long term success.

RDMercer

[eskielover]

You have to do what is right for the goals you set for your life & it won't be a waste.

I am in a totally different place in my life now than I was back at the age I was getting my degree. I don't regret or feel like I wasted anything because my goal was set & no one or nothing was getting in my way. I am actually glad that I was a strong enough person to handle my life that way.

It was the groundwork for me to be strong enough for me to handle the totally different life I have now.

[BigBubba]

I took some days off and I feel terrible. I have to go back. Honestly, my life is all about that career-related thing I'm working on. If it fails, despite this full dedication, I would be embrassed to even stay alive.

I think I've made some poor choices when it comes to priorities in life back in a day and, well... I don't think I have anything besides my goal, so I have to go back and get it.