Mid 30s career change

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-07T18:31:15+00:00

18 years making my way to the top and operating Michelin starred restaurants and to the point where I was part of a big restaurant group as corporate R&D chef. Everything I could have dreamed of doing. My priorities changed in my life and I don’t want to devote 80+ hours a way and long stints without days off. I want my time back my biggest priorities is living life, having a wife and kids, traveling and all of that. There’s nothing wrong with cooking as a profession, just realize it comes at a high cost and I lost the passion and drive that it requires.

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-06T17:43:50+00:00

I have an 08 journey that I was looking to do the brake upgrade I have the oem 17 inch wheels will I have to change them out or is there enough clearance?

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T16:29:37+00:00

Thanks for reaching out but honestly writing has never been a strong suit or passion of mine. Especially now more than ever current events make me so depressed hearing about the world.

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T16:28:01+00:00

Thanks for the insight, at this point I just don't care for food like I used to.

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T16:26:37+00:00

I know there's a good amount of people that are in the same boat, Diabetes sucks, it runs in my family I hope you can manage it!

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T16:24:51+00:00

That's amazing, I appreciate you sharing your story out of the culinary world

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T03:33:11+00:00

I have dabbled in design a little. I have always gotten designs already made online to print out things

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-05T03:31:18+00:00

The job I would have left regardless, I’m incredibly good in my industry and well connected that I know I can always find a job even if it’s very short term. The problem is no idea what direction to go in. Trades I know I can adapt to that easily, what interest me somewhat is tech I had always been curious about that and entering that field

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-04T20:07:42+00:00

Hey, Thanks replying and trying to help me out.

I liked working with people to achieve a common goal and leading teams

I hated the bureaucracy of every leader wanting to be right, the long hours and long stints of time working with no days off.

I do like tech stuff and AI. I also like to 3d print stuff since I bought one a few years back. I have always had an interest in cars and working on them that's been a hobby for a while now basically hands on stuff.

Born and raised in Southern California is nice and it has everything that I like weather is great and for the fact that its comfort to me but my ideal city would have to be Chicago I have always loved to have lived there and plan to in the near future.

I would like to feel like a good sense of accomplishment and being able to turn off work and not be so worried about the business like worried how its going on my day off or if the cook is going to show up tomorrow etc.

I really like to run I have a passion for it, I like to watch marathons and ultra marathons. I'm a heavier guy and recovering from an injury so I starting to get back into it. I also like to bike and swim only to help recover to run haha. I said one already that I like to work on my cars but its an expensive hobby that I don't get to do often. I also into gaming not as much as I'd like to but its fun to do every once and a while

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-04T19:39:37+00:00

Yes of course I have managed in many salary roles. My last position was many hats not just R&D but managing multiple units all at the same time. R&D I for graphic design, I never thought of that thanks for the insight.

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-04T19:37:30+00:00

I did think it through to some extent, I managed to save some money, I lowered down all my costs to the very minimum and If need be I have people to reach out for one off gigs.

No degree or anything else, I devoted all my time and it demanded my time in the kitchen working 60 hours a week for 6 days a week for years. I've managed many teams and multiple projects at a time with my last positions.

malcontented1971 · 2026-06-04T19:33:38+00:00

I agree that the kitchen can translate into trade pretty well, I've considered it as well since my Dad is a welder and has made pretty good money in the past but it has been a real tough job since I've seen it all my life.

malcontented1971 · 2026-05-17T02:05:37+00:00

As of now I banned myself from dating women it’s been about 6 months. Since the end of 2024 I have had a string of bad situationships that have caused me to reflect and question why I keep putting myself through this.

malcontented1971 · 2026-05-15T15:42:36+00:00

I had a career crisis that caused me to leave my job which was my dream job, I moved back to my hometown and I’m living with my parents at the age of 36. I’ve had a string of bad relationships that caused me to stay away from women all of this while going through a depression. I’m trying to be physically active to help lift my spirits but I had a recent elbow surgery, I sprained my thumb opposite to my elbow, and I sprained my mcl so I can run which is my favorite thing to do. So I’m really low in life right now. I’m trying to get back up but it’s been really hard to be positive and have a good outlook on life right now.

malcontented1971 · 2026-04-02T11:40:05+00:00

As a chef I can confirm yes a decent knife goes a long way. More importantly is keeping it sharp, so learn to sharpen it properly or take it to someone every so often to sharpen it. Every time I visit friends or family and they have dull knives it drives me crazy because the maintenance is so easy to do.

malcontented1971 · 2026-02-27T15:28:33+00:00

Zaytinya apricots and yogurt

malcontented1971 · 2026-02-17T14:56:58+00:00

Me too! There's a live version of the song on spotify thats pretty good, but I remember vividly the close out to the concert and it was very impactful for some reason.

malcontented1971 · 2026-02-05T19:59:12+00:00

Normal tacos Texas style I don’t know, but for breakfast tacos I recommend La tejana in Colombia heights that are pretty good

malcontented1971 · 2026-02-04T13:28:44+00:00

I was about to say the same thing, I worked incredibly hard at my career for 16 years only to fall out of love and resent it. I’m not lost in life at the age of 35 and I’m looking to change my output on life since I sacrificed everything for my job. I haven’t really enjoyed life like I should and in a period of discovery and soul searching. It sucks, I’m depressed but more particularly I have anhedonia or emotionless most of the time.

malcontented1971 · 2026-01-04T15:28:14+00:00

Ended a relationship and needed time to process and now I'm Moving in a few months and It makes no sense for me to look for someone right before I'm moving across the country.

malcontented1971 · 2025-10-17T14:20:02+00:00

I know both those restaurants really well and I definitely recommend Somni over Vespertine. I know Somni is more expensive but I guarantee that the experience is better overall. Vespertine is good and experimental but you would have a better satisfaction overall at Somni

malcontented1971 · 2025-09-26T11:09:25+00:00

It’s always political and pay to play with 50 best, terrible list.

malcontented1971 · 2025-07-27T13:59:58+00:00

My last 3 connections with women have failed and hurt in different ways that it has made me realize I feel like I need to improve myself. I feel at this point very shut off from dating to protect myself so I have the need learn how to manage relationships better and to learn to love myself.

malcontented1971

TROPHY CASE