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I'm in an extremely advantageous position compared to most, but I still feel that meaningful progress is becoming increasingly difficult.
Progress towards what, you might ask? I'm not sure I know myself. FU money perhaps. Feeling safe enough to take a lower-paying job at some point.
How much of this is a cage I've built on my own. OP discusses the difference in men's and women's ability to lead a simple lifestyle. I've actually lived on my own as a bachelor for probably only 2 weeks of my life. It was fucking amazing how simple it all could be. Even with a job and a dog as complications. The only "gear" I needed was the apartment's gym nobody ever used and my gaming PC. Plenty of social time. Losing weight and getting stronger. Entire living space immaculately cleaned.
Children make things more complicated. I spent two precious hours of "kids asleep" time last night trying to repair electrical issues in toys, only to realize I was missing necessary parts replacements that would be 2 days later on Amazon. $30 here and there, but every week, another system, another shipment of plastic wrapped in cardboard. It's hard not to occasionally take a hard look at all of it and feel a deep sense of ennui.
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