I was told that I was smart and great at school, that I'd get some cool job like working in a lab, but those are just platitudes when you're unable to get disciplined or function consistently at your max.

And honestly, so far in my life I feel its been a blessing in disguise - while I did go for education in a specific field, graduated and failed to get a job, working simpler uneducated jobs does give a degree of freedom. You can take up odd jobs, work in a factory or in a shop if you want - whatever doesn't require a specific degree and can switch between these jobs when you kinda feel like it going for jack-of-all-trades type of build, while if you got a well-paying specialization then it's what you're pushed to be stuck doing for the rest of your life.

Maybe that's secretly my brain coming up with cope, but experiencing new things constantly for lower pay > high pay specialized work you're doing forever.

[–] slauraure@beehaw.org 2 points 2 days ago

This is super relatable but I did get a job in a highly specialized field outside what I took my degree in. Mostly luck due to having friends vouch for me and an excellent mentor teaching me on the job early on. Now I couldn't dream of making that kind of money doing so-called unskilled labor.

Sometimes I do think about career changes to something that would let me switch off and think less about work after-hours. Usually comes down to having to start at the bottom of the career ladder again and for some silly reason worrying my colleagues would think less of me for switching fields.

Sorry I'm rambling but your comment resonated with me.