It’s a question that sits at the intersection of philosophy, economics, and personal identity: If you woke up tomorrow with unlimited financial security, would you still work? I've been pondering this question as I dread heading back to work after the holiday.
For most people, work isn’t just a paycheck it’s structure, purpose, and a way to feel connected to the world. However, money undeniably shapes our choices. When you remove financial need, you also remove a massive pressure that influences nearly every aspect of modern life. What’s left is interesting.
Many careers become part of who we are. Ask someone to describe themselves and they’ll often respond with, “I’m a teacher,” “I’m a software engineer,” “I’m a mechanic,” “I’m an artist.” Work becomes shorthand for our value, our contributions, and our sense of belonging. If money were no concern, some people would keep doing exactly what they do not because they need the paycheck, but because their work gives them meaning. For these individuals, labor isn’t a burden; it’s an extension of their identity. For me it's the opposite. My career feels like eats away at me a little but year by year. The cooperate world is not a healthy one and we would all be much better if we defined ourselves on what we do outside of work.
Humans need purpose. Doing nothing sounds appealing for a week or two, maybe even a month. But long-term idleness can lead to restlessness, anxiety, and a loss of direction. When I say we need to find ourselves out of work I'm saying we need to find our real purpose. Purpose doesn’t necessarily require a traditional job. Some might volunteer, mentor, create, build, or pursue passion projects. Others might pour their time into community efforts or personal development. Most people would still workjust not necessarily for an employer. They’d work on what matters to them.
I'm trying to find that freedom both finically and my purpose. Removing money from the equation often creates the freedom to work authentically.
Unfortunately, crypto was my original plan to gain this freedom, but that dream has been prolonged and that hope has faded over the years with continued disappoint. However I have found some purpose with Hive and will continue to build in these troubled times.