UNI STUDENT FEELS “DESPAIR” THAT HE HAS TO WORK FOR THE NEXT 40+ YEARS AFTER GRADUATION

How do you deal with the idea of working forever?

I’m matriculating into university this year and I’ve been thinking about my future career options, but it seems crazy to me that after university I’ll essentially be working for the rest of my life?

I’ll spend the next 40+ years working, and working seems to drain the energy out of everyone.

I get that it’s probably because I haven’t truly experienced the working life and I’m fortunate that I don’t have to worry about money matters yet, but I can’t help but feel alot of despair thinking about this, that this is how I’ll spend the rest of my life.

Any advice on how to deal with this?

Netizens’ comments

1. Sometimes you do what you like for living, but that’s rare. Everyone else does what they hate for money, so they can use that money to do what they love.
2. I love 30% of my job, 50% meh and hate 20% of it. Averages out to meh. On days filled with that 20%, I get through by checking bank account and counting down days till next payday. Life is good… enough.”
3. It works differently for everyone. Just the two type of ppl I can think of rn are
   People that loves to climb the ladder. Each promotion or project finished is like climbing the ranks in dota or league. Get up high enough and rmb to cover your retirement with sufficient investments to lepak the rest of your life
   People that see work as just exchanging time for money. Bo bian, need to eat right? Do enough to justify your salary and nothing more. Find “CCAs” outside of school. It can be fun to join a group that does volunteering, choir singing, hiking… Anything la really. As long as it isn’t something you hate, it’s always nice to do a common activity with a group.
   These are the healthy kinds I can think of. There are of course those that hates work but got pressured into OT. Or those that money easy in and easy out then one day, jobless liao, everything crash and burn.
   I’m more of the I’m working just for the money~
4. I build in breaks every so often. Took a year to earn my masters, planning another sabbatical in a couple of years. It’s about managing cash flow and energy levels. It’s easier to take breaks when you don’t have financial commitments / dependents.
   Some people sell their skills at as high a price as they can get well saving and investing as much as possible to attain financial independence and explore their interests / enjoy life.
   Others just start off doing what they love despite the hit to their earnings.
   Do what’s right for you 🙂
   And if 40 years is overwhelming, break it down. Take it one day / month / year / goal at a time.
   Also I recommend finding something that brings joy and meaning to your life outside work. You might dance or grow plants or whatever. We don’t know how long we have, we shouldn’t put off our lives until it’s too late.