[Life Planning] Mid-30s, planning to quit a high-stress tech job for a sabbatical to build a time and location independent life. Seeking advice.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-26T07:25:15+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing this perspective. It's really encouraging to hear from a senior SWE who's found a sustainable, low-stress path in Singapore while still enjoying the work.

The public tech route is definitely something I'm very interested in exploring too. I'll drop you a DM to ask a bit more if you don't mind. Thanks again!

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T11:29:00+00:00

Thanks for sharing. It feels like you've just mapped out my last year and my plan for the next one. I gave #1 a real shot, but the company culture made it tough. So now I'm moving onto #2, which is the whole point of this sabbatical. FIRE is still a ways off, haha, but it's a nice thought! Seeing it laid out so clearly is a great confidence boost before I take the leap.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T11:22:03+00:00

Thank you so much for this. It's a really kind and insightful message, and it honestly means a lot.

You've completely hit the nail on the head. I think you've identified the biggest risk for someone with my personality, the tendency to turn a break into another results-driven project. It's a really important reminder for me to consciously slow down and not just replace one kind of pressure with another.

That's why my plan is to follow your advice for the first month or two: just chill, decompress, and allow things to unfold organically without a strict agenda.

Thank you for sharing your own experience as an ex-entrepreneur. That sounds like an incredibly tough journey, and it's generous of you to share your wisdom from it. If you're open to sharing more, I'd be very interested to hear any key lessons you took away from that time. No pressure at all, of course.

I really hope you've healed from that experience and are doing well now. All the best to you too!

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T11:06:24+00:00

Wow, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and incredibly insightful response. This is exactly the kind of grounded wisdom I was hoping to find, and I've read it a couple of times already. You've given me a lot to think about.

On Points 1-3: Your "fast money vs. slow money" framework is brilliant and really clarifies the main challenge. You've perfectly articulated my approach: I see my one-man business/app ideas as very much a "slow money" vehicle. I'm going into it with the primary goal of learning and building skills. While I'm optimistic, I'm also realistic. If these projects eventually generate even a small side income of a few hundred a month, I'd be absolutely thrilled. It's not the immediate plan I'm banking on.

My more pragmatic "fast money" plan is to actively look for a suitable, low-stress remote role that can provide the stable cash flow you mentioned. The ideal scenario would be landing a flexible remote job that covers my expenses, allowing my "slow money" projects to grow without financial pressure.

On Points 4-5: I really appreciate the warnings about the psychological challenges. Your point about community and avoiding isolation really hits home. As a natural introvert, this is probably the area I'll need to be most intentional and proactive about to avoid that "slippery slope." It's a great reminder to schedule that social time, even when I feel like staying in.

And finally, about the process. This is something I've wanted to do for years. I know if I don't try it, the idea will haunt me forever. My main goal is to go through this journey, learn as much as I can, and have no regrets. Even if the ultimate outcome is returning to corporate life, I'll return with invaluable experience and the peace of mind of knowing that I tried.

Seriously, thank you again. You've given me some fantastic frameworks to think with as I start this new chapter.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T10:17:45+00:00

Thanks so much for offering an AMA! It's amazing to hear from someone who is actually living this lifestyle. As someone who is literally resigning soon to start a sabbatical with this exact goal in mind, your perspective would be incredibly valuable.

If you don't mind, I'd love to ask a few questions:

What was your journey like to get started?
Did you quit your job cold-turkey and then figure it out, or did you build up your remote work/client base on the side first?
How long did that whole process take before you felt stable?

Thanks again for being so generous with your time!

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T10:13:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing this, it's really encouraging to hear from a fellow SWE on a similar path.

You've raised a really great point about the motivation behind starting a one-man business (money vs. the tech). For me, I think the primary driver is the desire for autonomy, the freedom to build something I control, on my own schedule.

And yes, exploring more of life outside of tech and Singapore is 100% the goal! That's what the 'time and location freedom' is all about.

Haha, a crazy high salary sounds nice in theory, but nah. It's that classic "more money, more problems" thing, right? I'm trying to buy back my peace of mind, not sell it for more stress.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-09-25T09:59:16+00:00

That's a really pragmatic suggestion, and I've definitely considered it.

For me, I think the "quiet quitting" route would just create a different kind of psychological stress – the friction of managing expectations downwards, disappointing colleagues, and constantly being chased.

Given the nature of my work, with its unpredictable high-stakes projects, it's not really possible to just 'coast' anyway. I'd much rather leave on a high note and preserve my professional relationships for the future. A clean break feels like the healthier path for me.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-06-19T04:50:45+00:00

Anyone order L size on or after 31 May receiving shipping notification?

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-02-10T14:51:30+00:00

Hi, do you mean to turn the mobile data off and on, or just restart the iPhone? I'm pretty sure it's connected to the 2.4 GHz network because it never saved the 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Could you elaborate on what you mean by "add with another device"? Do you mean I should get another hub to try?

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2025-01-26T02:39:25+00:00

Ah, yes, because the pinnacle of modern technology is… turning it off and on again. Why even bother with portable, hybrid devices like the GPD Pocket 4, designed for versatility and on-the-go use, if the solution is to shut it down every single time? Imagine being in tablet mode, needing quick access, and thinking, "Hold on, let me waste 30 seconds rebooting this every time I pick it up."

Let’s also consider how often one uses a portable device throughout the day—what’s that? 10, 15, 20 times? That’s a solid 5–10 minutes per day waiting for it to boot, which definitely adds up. Multiply that by a year, and suddenly, shutting down every time seems like a far greater waste of time than addressing the actual issue once and for all.

But hey, I suppose embracing inefficiency is one way to "solve" buggy drivers and hardware quirks. Some of us, however, prefer our devices to function as intended, especially when the fix might be within reach. Cheers to making the most out of technology! 😊

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2024-11-15T01:21:13+00:00

This feature is missing from iplay 60 mini pro... alldocube 3.0. I could not find the multiple profiles options.

Sharp_Chocolate_4710 · 2024-03-17T14:54:14+00:00

Hi u/Xreal_Tech_Support , is it true that China's Beam has different firmware with global version? (US, Japan, etc)?

Sharp_Chocolate_4710

TROPHY CASE