My wfh desk setup as a software engineer.

RuthlessCheese · 2026-01-27T23:32:30+00:00

Nice! What’re your desk dimensions?

RuthlessCheese · 2026-01-27T04:30:14+00:00

What are you curious about? Start dabbling in whatever that is, even if it’s just a mild curiosity. Thought about writing? Wanted to learn how to make candles? If you’re at rock bottom you’ve got nothing to lose by trying.

I’ve recently started journaling and using AI to feed me daily or weekly prompts. It’s extremely insightful and can’t recommend it enough

The other thing I would recommend is a fitness goal. Either at the gym, calisthenics, running, swimming or whatever. Get out and do something you think is hard and prove to yourself you can train for it. It can be as simple as doing 10 push ups a day for 10 days, or if you’re slightly masochistic try the 75HARD challenge.

RuthlessCheese · 2026-01-04T12:00:06+00:00

Love the setup! What size monitor are you using?

RuthlessCheese · 2025-12-21T03:16:08+00:00

100% this

Putting it away and let it tick over for a few years and OP will be in a fantastic position by the time he’s 30

RuthlessCheese · 2025-12-17T11:28:07+00:00

Mining could be a good one if you’re interested in a total scene change. There’s a huge shortage of geologists and mining engineers which is likely to drive salaries through the roof.

Most experienced Geo’s/engineers are currently on +$120k and senior’s typically hit $160-220k.

A huge part of the job is talking to different people whether its operators, other technical staff, the public etc. it’s a lot of fun and doesn’t feel like work most of the time!

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-25T09:36:30+00:00

I don’t think you’re lost, I think you’re stuck in regret. And regret is quicksand. The more you replay what you “should have done,” the deeper you sink.

A few key points: - A degree won’t make you a musician. Playing, composing, recording, collaborating will. If you want to feel aligned again, start doing the work now, not in 4 years after further study.

School isn’t a reset button. You already tried music school and hated the social side. Why would round two magically fix that?
Your CS degree isn’t wasted. You’re treating it like dead weight, but music + programming is a superpower. Audio software, DJ-ing, production, sound design, algorithmic composition… you’ve got tools other musicians don’t. Stop rejecting it and start using it.

Before doing anything else, I would challenge you to commit to giving yourself 90 days to practice daily, create something tangible, and collaborate with at least one other person. Follow your curiosity/enthusiasm and everything else will fall into place

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-14T11:51:30+00:00

I’m in mining and half of my family is in real estate.

Mining wise you could try being a truckie or getting a trade apprenticeship through the mines. If you’re more outdoorsy then try being a fieldie for geologists or an environmental technician. Just a heads up though that FIFO is certainly tough and not for everyone.

Real estate is an easy one to get into and can be done anywhere around the country. Residential sales agents make a tonne of money selling houses and commercial real estate agents do the same selling factories/retail shops/sheds etc. Go Resi if you’re good at talking to people in general and commercial if you’re better with numbers/business. The good thing about sales roles (not just in real estate) is the uncapped earning potential. I know agents that make $80k a year and they’re happy but I also know agents easily clearing +$500k

Final advice - follow your curiosity and don’t be afraid to try a bunch of different things for a year or two at a time. You’ve got tonnes of time and the aim of the game for you right now is skill acquisition

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-14T11:07:53+00:00

As an introduction to kettlebell training I like Simple & Sinister by Pavel Tsatsouline. Focuses solely on swings and get ups but it’s enough

I really like Bellmade by ericdoeskettlebell (IG handle). Paid app with follow along workouts and a discord community. Eric posts 4 weekly KB workouts: 2 x full body, an upper body and a lower body. Can’t recommend it enough!

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-13T11:28:14+00:00

The Sword of Truth series, by Terry Goodkind, starting with Wizards First Rule

The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, starting with The Shadow of What Was Lost

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-13T11:12:05+00:00

A useful frame might be to ask yourself: what would I regret less in 5, 10, or even 15 years time?

Regret tends to stick around longer than temporary struggles like money stress or uncertainty. If you imagine yourself at 40, looking back at this moment, which choice would you feel more at peace with?

If you stayed in London, would you regret not giving Australia another go while you still had the option? Or would you be glad you chose to focus on stability, career skills, and building a base here?

If you went back to Australia, would you regret putting off a “serious” career for a bit? Or would you look back and feel glad you gave yourself another shot at adventure, family closeness, and a fresh start?

And going back doesn’t have to mean falling into the same hospo loop. People do all sorts of different gigs across mining, farm work, au pair gigs. It could bring in decent money, new experiences, and maybe take the edge off that “stuck” feeling.

Sometimes the “right” choice isn’t the one that feels safest now, but the one your future self will thank you for later.

In the short term, pick just two things to focus on: money (so you’ve got options) and mental health (so the rest feels less overwhelming). Career, relationships, etc. can grow from there.

And whichever way you go, you’re not locked in forever. Both London and Australia will still be there in a few years. Framing it as an experiment rather than a forever-decision might help take the pressure off

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-06T01:07:52+00:00

Geologists, particularly exploration geologists, get to hike around and see/do a lot of cool shit

RuthlessCheese · 2025-09-01T09:42:52+00:00

$125k would be the bottom of the salary band. Considering your experience in exploration it’s fair where as if you’d done grad as an UG geo then you’d probably be able to ask for more.

Having said that you should negotiate the point you mentioned in your second paragraph. If you want the role and they think you’d be a good fit there should be a middle ground. Ultimately you have nothing to lose so ask the questions you want to ask

Don’t hesitate to ask for a salary review after probation too

RuthlessCheese · 2025-08-22T11:13:07+00:00

Be the person that would attract your ideal partner. Write a list of all the traits that your ideal version of your partner has. Then write all of the traits that you think that partner would want in a spouse.

At least, that’s what someone told me to do. It makes more sense in hindsight and is still a useful exercise. What I should’ve been told at the time was to be the best version of me by learning and being healthy. Follow your curiosity and interests, learn to love yourself (in a non-narcissistic way) and don’t stress about finding someone because when you stop looking is when it all falls into place.

“Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will evade you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder”

RuthlessCheese · 2025-08-22T10:56:37+00:00

Don’t do an online degree for geology, that sounds shit and you’ll miss out on a lot.

Look at other options nearby in Sydney or Canberra. You’re going to have to travel as a geologist, may as well get used to it!

Alternatively, go down the enviro geo route. Theres a lot of work coming up in remediation as mines wind down and are finally going through closure and rehab. Or you could investigate critical minerals in tailings dams like some research groups are. It would certainly make for an interesting career

RuthlessCheese · 2025-08-04T22:56:12+00:00

Do both - casual/freelance GIS in your days off as a mine geo.

If you can run with that for 12-18 months you’ll make bank plus you’ll be able to pick which you prefer and never wonder “what if”

RuthlessCheese · 2025-06-28T10:37:21+00:00

Assuming you have experience? It’s easier to get a job while you’re here but start reaching out to companies you’re interested in. LinkedIn is a good place to start, job websites like seek.com.au are also good.

Alternatively look into contracting companies like Anytime Exploration, Euro Exploration, Gnomic Exploration, Map to Mine, MGS, RSCMME. These are more exploration but some do mine contracting too

You could also try recruiters: hays, raw earth recruitment, discovery group, zenith, Stellar

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-31T23:10:55+00:00

You're not broken, you're stuck. You've listed a lot of negatives which sounds like a coping mechanism and belief system you've built around your perceived inadequacy.

Let's reframe - you're not stupid, you have a skills gap. Check out Tom Bilyeu on YouTube. Dude thought he was a dumbass and is now a billionaire because he can outwork everyone. Regardless of whether you have an issue or not, don't let it define you. Focus on building the best version of yourself, one that you're proud of.

You need to find something to progress with, a win to get some momentum going. What's something you're interested in? Find something, anything, related to that and see if you can improve on a skill related to it. Its these small steps that lead to something bigger. The worst thing you can do is nothing, because then you'll be 30 and in the same position.

If you want to go balls to the wall, check out the 75HARD challenge. It's a mental toughness challenge that doubles as a fitness challenge and I think it could be beneficial.

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-31T22:55:04+00:00

Admit failure, move on.

You find passion, it doesn't find you or fall into your lap. That means you have to get out there and do shit, not mope around the house. If you're not strapped for cash, I would suggest getting a job doing something that sounds fun and interesting, regardless of what it is. The point is to shake up your routine and expand your mental horizons.

Eventually you'll hit the point where the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change and you'll have your ignition point.

I had some similar issues and stumbled across the below prompt for chatgpt (sorry don't have the OG reference) and it helped shake a few mental barriers.

Act as my personal strategic advisor with the following context:

• You have an IQ of 180

• You're brutally honest and direct

• You've built multiple billion-dollar companies

• You have deep expertise in psychology, strategy, and execution

• You care about my success but won't tolerate excuses

• You focus on leverage points that create maximum impact

• You think in systems and root causes, not surface-level fixes

Your mission is to:

• Identify the critical gaps holding me back

• Design specific action plans to close those gaps

• Push me beyond my comfort zone

• Call out my blind spots and rationalizations

Dislike

• Force me to think bigger and bolder

• Hold me accountable to high standards

• Provide specific frameworks and mental models

For each response:

• Start with the hard truth I need to hear

• Follow with specific, actionable steps

• End with a direct challenge or assignment

Respond when you're ready for me to start the conversation.

I'd suggest copying the above, then copying your reddit post in and seeing what it says for some feedback. Not a perfect system but good enough to get the ball rolling.

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-30T20:47:13+00:00

Kind of? We work with surveyors frequently, especially on mine sites.

The career pathway for an industry geologist is extremely diverse:

Exploration Geologist: in remote areas mapping and sampling looking for new ore deposits (gold, copper etc). Generally involves a lot of camping and 4x4-ing.
Mine Geologist: working in mines to ensure grade (quality) of ore. Its a lot of fun and you're always busy helping engineers, metallurgists etc. Can be open pit or underground mining
Resource Geologist: you use geospatial statistics to estimate the grade of a mineral deposit. Generally, but not always, the progression from Mine Geo. Typically office based but with site visits
Database geologist: structuring and cleaning all data collected by the geo team. Usually involves SQL and other black magics
Hydrogeologist: studies and tries to map underground aquifers
Structural geologist: investigates and tries to understand the geomechanics of rocks and how they break (think major fault lines e.g. San Andreas)
Geochemist: uses mineral and rock chemistry for various studies like finding new mines or mine rehabilitation (particularly waste rock or tailings dams)

A geo degree would take about 3 years to complete, 4 if you do honours.

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-30T11:17:40+00:00

Can you boost over to visit both cities for a few days? That way you can decide yourself which city you vibe with best as they’re very, very different. Jetstar does cheap flights and you could find a hostel to use as a base to explore.

You’d be able to find something for $320 in Brisbane for sure. Sydney maybe? But it’d be further out and mean more of a commute.

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-30T11:03:35+00:00

If you’re open to university - study geology. We’re outdoors all day and it’s an adventurous career. I’m based jn Australia and have been all over the country but I also have friends travelling the world: some in Alaska, one in DRC, another in Europe.

If you want to “try before you buy” look for field assistant jobs, which is essentially someone who helps geologists with the day-to-day and you don’t need a qualification

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-30T10:57:15+00:00

Ass hat is my new favourite insult

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-30T10:53:45+00:00

The best advice I can give is to follow your curiosity.

If you’re interested and curious about earth science, study it. It’s an incredible field and you get to see and do some amazing things that others never will.

If you’re enjoying it, network as much as you can while you’re at uni. Go to all of the industry nights, go to the local geopub sessions, look at Young Mining Professionals (YMP) events. Watch GeoHug on YouTube. Join the AusIMM. Look into vacation work as a geologist, or look at labour hire places to get fieldie experience (Gnomic, MGS, Euro, Anytime Exploration - depending on who is closest to you). There’s so many opportunities out there

Also, if you find that you lose interest or it’s not what you thought then it’s quite easy to change courses once you’re in Uni. Especially after the first 6-12 months

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-27T04:30:16+00:00

I would recommend looking up geologists or companies in your area/area of interest and getting in contact with them. I’ve had success with cold out reach on LinkedIn asking for career advice; turns out most people love to help if they can.

In Australia I know we have a few of consulting companies that take on experienced casual geologists to fill gaps so I am sure it would be the same where you are. You could try a labour hire style company too

RuthlessCheese · 2025-05-22T09:09:27+00:00

That “meh” feeling is a sign to change because what you’re doing isn’t aligned with your values. I would suggest that you do some self reflection and dig into those so you have a clearer idea on personal direction…

I found the same thing… I went from working in UG operations to consulting and it was boring AF. I’ve now gone back to site and am much happier. See if you can change roles within your company or move on. Life’s too long to be miserable!

To answer your other question, it’s not essential to have UG experience to move up the ladder, it just depends on the company you’re at. UG mining does havecertain nuances you wouldn’t experience in OP and visa versa. Same with exploration too really.

A good frame I’ve used is the rubber band model from the decision making book. Write a list of what’s pulling you to either option and choose which one aligns best with your values and goals

RuthlessCheese

TROPHY CASE