I saw this question on X and thought it would yield some good answers.
One that's near and dear to me: being a founder. I love it but I'm more achievement oriented than pleasure oriented and don't mind all the pain it inflicts (relatively). Most people imagine being a founder very shallowly, even people actively trying to be founders. They believe that X or Y is the hard part, and if they can accomplish X or Y it'll be easy, but X or Y is one level of an infinite level game, and each level is different and hard in its own way.
Living in a foreign country. The grass is always greener.
You have to learn the language, which is hard, and takes time. You have to learn and embrace the culture, which is even harder. I have seen so many people failing at the first step, and sadly never really integrating in their adoptive country...
i havnt lived in teh UK for maybe 20 years but can confirm the grass is sometimes greener lol
what people underestimate is how you start back at baby level, can't speak properly, don't know how to do anything, don't have any contacts or support network etc. shit takes time to build and forces extreme growth, or failure. defo not for everyone
Absolutely homesteading. Especially the "100% self sufficient" kind. There is a famous redpill "trad" account where they do it. They have a dozen kids, and supposedly grow all their own food. Surprise surprise: the truth is that they don't. She inhereted millions and the calorie-wise majority of food is bought.
Subsistence farming suck. Homesteading is absolutely cool and you can farm a looot of vegetables with very little effort. But actually covering your entire calorie needs is really fucking hard.
Yep, don't believe everything you see on youtube. The reality behind the scenes is usually quite different than what you see on camera.
Indeed, there are plenty of homesteaders out there but the honest ones will tell you in is incredibly hard if not impossible to be 100% self sufficient. The people that push that extreme really do harm vs. good. Families can and should grow some of their own food even if it just for education. Just a simple garden is rewarding.
Its like the doomsday preppers. They are so absurd they give cover to the masses that can't make it for a few days without going to the store.
Being famous, writing a book, being really good at an instrument, getting fit and healthy, being in charge of a large organization
Living in the countryside and growing your own food, I thought this would be one of the first ones to come up.
Van-dwelling / living on the road
I love the idea of camping in the woods. I hate the reality.
glamping ftw
I think I would agree with this. Sounds great, probably isn't (for me)
Being extremely rich. Constant fear for safety and family members safety. Or not knowing if someone is talking to you nicely or want to be friends because they want some of your money or a favor.
Bitcoin open source software development
lol no doubt. I'd be curious how other popular open source projects compare.
The outrage feels vaguely similar to the recent Firefox privacy policy changes.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Being great at almost anything to be honest.
I speak 5 languages, have two kids who are homeschooled, and a six pack. I also had a 6-figure salary.
Most of it comes with a lot of responsibilities and behind the scenes work.
Tell me 'bout the homeschooling, Sixpack.
it's a dream for my children and a huge challenge for us as parents
Well I have to thank my son who goes bouldering with me for helping with the six-pack (bouldering is amazing for it)
But how do you do it, like, what's the agenda?
I bundle things together. And try to waste as little time as possible. Very little social media, and zero Netflix or YT rabbit holes.
IE: while kids are in the playground, I do calisthenics and yoga.
I got with my son bouldering together, so both of us get a workout and share time together.
As soon as I have a small gap of time (IE: kids go to the bath tub together), I read and study in one of the languages I am learning.
People dont think or consider the stuff that doesnt make it on the epic montage/highlight reel
Getting the things you want most.
Marriage
ya i was thinking the same thing, also building a company with morals and principals
100%
Woah you don’t mind the pain, but do you enjoy the struggle?
Parenting for me. There is lotsa whining and whimpering and wailing that isn’t captured on people’s highlight reels on social media. Sigh
Surfing
Definitely starting a business is one. I would also say moving to a foreign country. Sure, it might be rewarding in the end but there will be a lot of bullshit along the way.
Having kids
Becoming a better developer than @ek 😆
The practice of taichi!
Most people think of it as a slow, meditative practice, good for relaxation etc. They associate it with the practice of a form, development of mysterious invisible "energy" etc.
This is all bs.
Tbf, a lot of practitioners of the arts are also delusional, and this is very often maintained by the teachers, sometimes intentionally, to keep the business afloat.
Often, good taichi practitioners are also delusional, by mistakenly assuming that their practice makes them good fighters. One of my teachers was beaten by a drunkard homeless, and a fight vidéo of a Chinese "grandmaster" of mine has gone viral in China (and YouTube) after being humiliated by an amateur Kickboxer. The old man just could not fight.
Lived in the 1800’s
y’all are doomers in the comments
holding your own keys.
Traveling. People always think it is the best thing in the world to go travel, but half the time it isnt that enjoyable unless you have made a significant amount of effort to plan. Half the time you could enjoy your time just one town over and it would have the same novel feeling.
I think what separates real founders from the tourists is the love of the game because it’s hard. Not in spite of it. You don’t do it for quick wins or lifestyle goals. You do it because you’re pulled toward something bigger than you and you’re willing to be broken and remade again and again to get there.
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