Let's Kick Things Off With A Vent

What better way to kick off a new blog than with a good old-fashioned vent? Everyone loves a complaint, especially the kind that hits a little too close to home.

I’m an engineer in my late 30s, married with two young kids. Like many of you, I’ve been dreaming of escaping the corporate grind for years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. The corporate world has given me a solid salary, great benefits, and the ability to afford what’s now considered the “American Dream.” But in today’s reality, achieving that dream often comes at a steep cost to your mental health, your physical health, and your personal freedom.

I’m tired.

Tired of being on call 24/7 thanks to every possible messaging app and communication tool.

Tired of spending half my vacation in meetings and “quick calls”...that's if I can even take time off at all.

Tired of the expectation to produce instant answers and results. I can’t make a computer solve math faster than it already does.

Tired of being asked to deliver in two weeks what takes two months to properly design and test.

Tired of others' poor time management becoming my emergency.
Tired of mediating conflicts between coworkers twice my age and half my age. You’re both adults — work it out. I’ve got a two-week design deadline.

Tired of endless meetings that could’ve been emails...emails I already sent you by the way.

Tired of missing four out of five lunches a week because someone “just remembered” something urgent.

Tired of reminding staff to do tasks they were already assigned and we discussed at length less than 24 hours ago. You said you understood the task and timeline. What happened in the last 24 hours?

Tired of people ignoring calls, emails, and messages — then acting shocked when I follow up.

Tired of having my professional recommendations disregarded even though that’s what I was hired for.

Just… tired.

So, what better solution than to add one more thing to my plate?

I’m starting this blog but not just to vent into the void, but to document my path toward freedom. I’ll share hard-earned lessons, practical advice for busy parents, young professionals, and new grads, and maybe help a few of you find your own way to early retirement, or at least a bit of peace in the chaos.