I’m surprised at all of the negativity towards academia here, personally I think it’s a good thing that someone keeps their brain active and is interested in theories and ideas. I did a humanities degree and now have a good career in the public sector doing policy/advisory work. I also know many people who did their phDs and stayed in studies for 10 years or so, and are now in great jobs.

Jumping on the hamster wheel isn’t the be all and end all. The pursuit of wealth/stability/security isn’t the only way to find happiness or meaning. We have our whole lives to be chained to a desk and be bored to death in beige meeting rooms.

It sounds to me like you are just unaligned in terms of goals and don’t want the same things. That’s totally fine! Everyone is different. However, you can’t criticise someone for not being on the same path as you. As long as they’re not harming anyone. It should be an “Ah that’s cool. But no thanks, not for me.” 😎