Ask HN: As an adult introvertish nerd what makes you happy?
I am single, live alone (with a blind dog I am re-teaching to hike with me), and work as a software developer exclusively remote. I started a meetup to teach aspiring developers that has evolved into a &quot;stitch-and-bitch&quot; where everyone teaches, got a side-hustle teaching and guiding sea kayak trips, and volunteer as a snowboard instructor. I probably sound like a jock, but you would recognize me as a nerd. And I am HAPPY!<p>0. Quit your job. I know this isn&#x27;t reasonable for most people, but it was the best move toward happiness I ever made. I just hit ten years without full-time employment.
1. Create a hobby for yourself and become skilled or expert in something outside of work.
2. Start a meetup. The one I started came from working out of the local coffee shop when the baristo asked if I could help him learn html&#x2F;css&#x2F;js.
3. Find a side-hustle. I need new challenges, and while software engineering provides loads of those, that is just &quot;tagging up&quot;.
4. Volunteer. Give time to your communities.
5. Exercise. Your biz probably keeps your mind sharp, but keeping your body sharp will yield tremendous mental dividends. As a kid, when I complained about doing school work, my mom would tell me to do 100 pushups.
6. Read. For pleasure as well as for work.
7. Meditate.<p>Going back to school has its appeal, but has financial and opportunity costs. I was an unmotivated student and only performed academically when I took too few or too many classes.<p>You have created an illusion for yourself around time, an illusion that it is moving quickly <i>and</i> that you don&#x27;t have any. You don&#x27;t have any because you don&#x27;t TAKE IT. Is there anything you always wanted to do? Go do it! Tell your team that you are taking an afternoon off every week to pursue X.<p>I always liked the notion not of &quot;human being&quot; but rather &quot;human becoming&quot;.