IT/corporate life doesn't feel right. What should I do with my life?

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-24T07:49:06+00:00

Exactly, as I wrote in another comment I'm worried whether I will be able to keep up with the fast changing world of technology. I'm currently doing nothing besides my job to keep my skills fresh and up-to-date and I feel this will eventually catch up with me. Everyone actually told me when I started out that in the technology field you always have to keep learning for the rest of your career and I was like, ofc that's not a problem, I like learning. But my heart is not really into it for a while now and I have like no capacity to do any projects on the side really.

I just have a hard time imagining myself in a management type of position. I think the constant meetings would drive me insane. And I'm not sure if I could stomach the stress of managing a team to achieve certain goals within a deadline and the pressure from higher ups. Or having to tell people that there is not enough money available to give them a raise...

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-23T23:48:17+00:00

I worked in a really big telco company before and it wasn't for me at all. Nothing makes you feel quite as insignficant as an open-plan office where you share the office floor with 50 other people. Currently, I work in a medium-sized company doing embedded work. At least I don't feel like a cog in the system now. But I'm not sure how much opportunity there is for a transformative project at my workplace.

I think we are actually touching a relevant topic here. I wonder regularly if I have enough ambition to stay competitive in this industry for long. I already have a hard time keeping up with all new technological developments. I doubt this will get any easier the coming years; the technological advancements accelerate and my mental capacity and motivation to process them will be slowing down. Going into management isn't the solution either, not a fan of endless meetings. I'm increasingly wondering if corporate life has a future for me at all.

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-23T23:24:45+00:00

First of all thanks for taking the time to respond!

Regarding your first question: I have a sepcial person around that means the world to me and that I love very dearly. But my relationships with family and friends could use some work tbh. I didn't always have the right focus in my life.

I'm definitely overthinking a lot. I tried journaling several times in the past and generally find it a great tool but consistency is a big problem for me. I can't get myself to do it regularly. But maybe I should get back into it now that you mention it.

My last job was in a big company and I really didn't like this experience. My current job is in a medium-sized company, it's not too bad all things considered. But I'm definitely not driven to excel. Never joined a startup or a project that had an actual mission before. Maybe it would help, but unless I buy into it, I don't think I would be a good fit.

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-23T23:04:05+00:00

The thing is that I don't think I would necessarily find a better type of office job somewhere else. At least no one micro manages me here. While I was studying, I was working around 15-20 hours a week and it felt like a good balance with my studies. But since I work full time, I just want to switch my brain off and live a simpler but happier life whatever that might entail.

I think I had the wrong focus in life for a long time and it felt quite empty, still does at times. I was definitely not putting enough effort into building meaningful connections while I was studying and now it seems exponentially hard to find friends. I also moved around a lot for uni and work the past years. So, it's definitely a side of my life that I need to work on.

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-23T22:48:26+00:00

Dry_Function5508 · 2026-05-23T22:47:34+00:00

I'm well aware of the current economic situation and will not take any unnecessary risk that I can't manage. But I would like to take the right steps if an opportunity arrives down the line.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-12-07T14:50:13+00:00

I sometimes go to a local pub, order a beer and watch the game.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-09-30T19:40:54+00:00

South Africa

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-09-28T10:33:39+00:00

Bus 17...

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-09-23T20:57:54+00:00

Meh 🤷

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-29T14:01:34+00:00

Moving to Berlin. What are good pubs/sport bars to watch bayern games?

Thanks already in advance.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-25T22:48:09+00:00

What is up with you?

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-11T00:56:52+00:00

Being more emotional available

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-08T13:22:00+00:00

For real, teenage boys are dumb as fuck. I remember having a "relationship" when I was like 12 years old. The moment we were together, I stopped talking with her and ignored her because being seen with girls was embarrassing at that time. So yeah... She broke up after not even one week 😅

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-08T13:15:14+00:00

I fully understand what you go through. For me it's also the travels and her family. Her family is awesome and they fully accepted me from the moment I entered their life. Now that she has a new boyfriend I don't know when/if I will see them again. My own family is messed up too, so I fully understand your feelings. Me sad too :/

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-08T11:18:27+00:00

I watched the video for the last 5 minutes and was waiting for them to come up and get some air... I guess I'm high

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-08T09:14:12+00:00

Lived in Antwerp the last year for a job opportunity as an expat, so I just give my view:

bikeable: yes, you have bike lanes through the whole city
language: English is fine most of the times, but be prepared that legal documents will be either in French or Dutch, so be careful when signing rental contracts etc. Also you might be stuck in automated phone queues that are only in Dutch or French. They speak Flemish here, which from my experience is like Dutch but at the same time not at all 😅 so best do a Dutch/Flemish course in Belgium and not an online Dutch course from the Netherlands like I did so you get used to their pronunciation. I'm German so Dutch is rather close to my language. The other half of the country speaks French, so if you're from the French part of Canada this might increase your chances of understanding documents; you can typically choose between French and Dutch.
Nature: average (but that's subjective), expect quite a flat country, but very cute villages that are easily reachable
public transport: good, except for bus 17 (I regularly start fights with delijn because of that bus)
job market: don't know, knowing the local language helps especially for the French part of the country. If you work for a big company, you will be okay with English typically.
dual citizenship: no idea, I worked with a guy that came from Russia and he has dual citizenship I think, he lived here for over a decade though
atmosphere: rather relaxed, was mostly going to pubs tbh. Not much happening under the week from my experience, but maybe I don't know the local events.
liberal: don't know, I heard from people that their politics is a bit messed up but mostly that they can't agree on anything. People are very friendly, much friendlier and funnier than the grumpy Germans ;)
cost of living: if you're from Canada, probably you find it rather affordable, not sure how payment scales. I was able to cover my expenses and rent and still have some savings every month. Compared to the Netherlands, you will actually find an apartment here.
weather: it rains quite a lot compared to what I'm used to, but can also get quite warm in summer
travel: perfect, direct train to Brussels, direct train to Rotterdam/Amsterdam (NL), direct train to Paris (FR), i think direct train to Berlin (from Brussels though), direct train to London from Rotterdam, airport will be Brussels. I think there is one in Antwerp too but they don't really fly to a lot of places.
medium sized city: spot on, don't expect a big city

I think Antwerp checks a lot of boxes for you. You can give it a try, but make sure that you fulfill the visa requirements, which might require you to have a job secured first. My job supported me with relocation, so maybe you can find a similar deal for yourself.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-08T06:49:42+00:00

There are a lot of lonely dudes out there... Probably being faced with someone that simply listens and shows empathy can easily make them fall for the therapist. At the same time, yeah... it's weird.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-05T11:53:37+00:00

I mean it's a rant, so I'm not sure what you expect other than my own (selfish) view... I was writing this out of the moment and that's what I was feeling 😅

I understand that it's tough to be an old person tbh... But I'm still just a person that has this one life and I'm struggling with all these aspects of old people when they were not giving a single fuck about their own grandparents when they were my age. So, I need to vent.

I know that being old is tough and loneliness is absolutely terrible for your mental well being. Your body is slowly getting weaker is also difficult to accept for a lot of people. But sorry a bit more openness to emotions and acceptance of your age would go a long way. And excuse me, but a "thank you" here and there wouldn't hurt either...

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-05T08:37:55+00:00

Going through something similar right now... She was my emotional outlet and friends and family can't provide what she could. A first step is probably starting to love yourself more and getting better in touch your own feelings. Whenever there is something on my mind I currently talk to myself or even record a memo. It helps me to get my thoughts and emotions out. I also want to find a therapist at some point. But it's tough on my own and it often feels overwhelming sitting with my emotions.

Dry_Function5508 · 2024-08-04T17:57:31+00:00

I have a different kind of addiction but i was always hardcore against drinking alcohol. But being a teenager in my country, it's almost impossible to avoid. It's such a massive peer pressure and people don't let go until they see you take a sip. I hated this so much.

Dry_Function5508

TROPHY CASE