Realistically speaking, what options are there other than the graduate, work, retire, and die model of life capitalism imposes on us?

Submitted by SwingingFromaCherryTree in AskRaddle

I ask because I'm at the point where school has become such a tedious endeavor that I can't seriously focus on my academics anymore; I just can't muster the energy to put myself through this torture any longer, so naturally my grades and sanity are suffering.

I know this question is largely dependent on my location, socioeconomic background, etc. But I don't really feel comfortable sharing too many personal details, so I'm hoping you can give me some general ideas for alternative options to look into - even if they're only really available in a few places.

If it helps to know, I am a very frugal person - for the most part, if I don't need it, I don't want it. I'm hoping that'll allow me to get by with a less demanding job, though I wouldn't work at all if I could help it. That's not to say that I wouldn't contribute to society; I love the idea of helping out in whatever context works best for me and having my needs met in return, but I realize that's largely the domain of ideology these days. Gods, I hate capitalism with a passion.

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Lettuce wrote

Lifestylism or crime

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BLVDE wrote

That's not to say that I wouldn't contribute to society

Feel like this is just a thing rich people propagate to make the lower class battle each other on 'morality'

I just can't muster the energy to put myself through this torture any longer

Would you like the topic(s) that you're studying(?) but you get too much work, or are you also unhappy with the topic(s)?

Not sure how helpful it is, but i can tell you my current situation

I currently don't work and get money from the state, which isn't much (in comparison), but it i'm living very minimalistically, so i almost don't use any of it
Also i'm trying to slow down whatever they wanna force me in as long as i can (which they're not very active about)
I would also get some money for housing, though that's usually not enough, as rent is way too overpriced, but i also want the freedom of being able to just leave and have the possibility to stay at other peoples places

Also I have camping gear, so i'm able to just survive in the wild (which i anyway like better, but relationships...)

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SwingingFromaCherryTree OP wrote

Feel like this is just a thing rich people propagate to make the lower class battle each other on 'morality'

That's probably true.

Would you like the topic(s) that you're studying(?) but you get too much work, or are you also unhappy with the topic(s)?

I like the subject, but I've had a rough last few semesters and after years and years of this torture, I'm just completely burned out. It's definitely too much work. And if you fall behind even the slightest bit, it's that much harder to catch up. It's a rat race I want no part of anymore.

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BLVDE wrote

In case you wanna continue studying. would it be a possibility to take a break and (see if you wanna) continue after you recovered?

or a different approach: can you work on the subject in a different way than studying? eg in a group of people with the same interest

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Cranko wrote

The drop-out model has a whole world of things to explore.

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SwingingFromaCherryTree OP wrote

After starting that article (does that site only ever publish long ones?), I'm definitely going to look into this further.

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Fool wrote

Mix them up, but keep the die stage to the end, otherwise the other stages just won't live up to expectations.

🐿️

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Hplant wrote

I understand where you're at because I've been there. I graduated with a 2 year college diploma in my field, I worked for about 6 months, hated every second of it, and have not been back to the field since.

Those 6 months were a nightmare of 50+hour weeks and just complete soul crushing anxiety and depression. It was no way to live. I don't wish it on anyone.

Instead I got a job at a local coffee shop. I am so much happier it's almost ridiculous.

There are paths out there for you. Life takes weird twists and turns. Keep going and trying until you find an arrangement you like, and surround yourself with good people who support you. That is key.

Long term, I see possibilities out there of mutual aid/more communal living, sharing resources with people you love, chosen family etc. There are ways to a better world.

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Omori wrote

The alternative to "graduate. work. retire. die." that I've taken is "drop out. suffer. die." Good luck!

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ArmyOfNone wrote (edited )

Become a Nomadic War Machine, so to live free. The lesser entrenched you are within society, the easier that'll be to move into it.

The sedentary are doomed to be slaves to the grind, and end up dead in an air-tight box.

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Zoaph wrote

What ever the fucked I'm doing! I bought a cheap ass boat and fixed it up now imma sail the 7 seas getting money from solar powered crypto mining, and other ways.... soon I will be more or less off grid.

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BLVDE wrote

sounds intriguing, wanna hear more of that story!

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Zoaph wrote

I grew up a cult and was isolated from the world for a very long time. I became very different from regular society. There was some help or something I was supposed to receive to integrate into society never got the help. I tried myself over and over and over. I knew something had to change so I saved up money to get away while continuing to try to be normal. I eventually got on disability benefits and I didn't have to worry about starving. with it came a lump sum so I had enough to do something. I first wanted to move to another country but they don't like disabled imagrents. Then I considered the van/RV life but due to my disorders I couldn't legally drive. maybe off grid in the middle of nowhere but then I couldn't logistically get to town. Finally I came across the concept of seasteading where you live off grid in the sea. I knew how to sail and how to repair stuff and every other skill I needed so I just went for it. so far it's working out fantastically. :) living costs have dramatically decreased with this lifestyle so I can afford to upgrade my boat and cool stuff. overall if you can get money without needing to be in one place it's really good!

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BLVDE wrote

really nice that you managed to look for yourself :)
feel like boat life wouldn't work out for me, but i'd hella love to try sailing

are you living alone\how do you socialize (unless you don't need that)?

how do you get money though? cryptomining on solar power doesn't really sound like it'll get you anything

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Zoaph wrote (edited )

I'm working on a communist polycule. As for money government gives me money cuz the childhood abuse I went through for 16 years left me unable to work. crypto is what I will do with my extra power and I will trade for things at ports. Like extranging a part for helping repair something or trading with something I no longer need. also illegal stuff :3

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BLVDE wrote

oh, forgot that i read that part, guess my memory really is shit

as a person with an IT background, just let me give you a fair warning before you invest in any mining hardware: crypto was a thing to generate money when it was new. nowadays you're basically just wasting resources, as you won't be able to generate money from it, but also loose money, as you need to be online all the time which is gonna cost you quite some (starlink maritime is ~250 a month + ~2'600 for hardware)

if you can afford to loose the money on it, then do whatever you please, but if not, then check again if you're not just believing in some 'to good to be true' scam

the trading help for goods part is actually something i'm thinking about myself (i have quite the diy skills), but don't really know how to go about it

illegal is just the anarchist word for opportunity ;-)

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Zoaph wrote (edited )

internet at sea is ~50$ if you use a medium LTE antana. you can go like 20 miles out and still get data. also it's what I will do with my extra power. we should also move to DMs

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SimoneDeSex wrote (edited )

Crime but that is often pretty much hard work in dangerous condition and is not really separated from capitalism. The difference between a drug cartel leader and CEO is that the cartel leader uses more physical violence and their products are illegal. And as average criminal, your life is probably shittier than those who go to regular work. Standing hours at some street corner or breaking into people's apartments aren't really fun. Especially when getting arrested is very likely. Very few criminals can live and die as free people.

But you can "drop out" if you really know what you do and know people who are willing to help you. It's difficult and takes a lot of effort. But if your country has some social security system, it can help you. In some countries a disability or psychiatric disorder can give you possibility to retire early and basically just live off with state money.

There really aren't many choices and going self-sufficient and living without money is very difficult to do. Capitalism tries to eat everything.

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SwingingFromaCherryTree OP wrote

sigh This is pretty much what I thought it was going to look like. I want to hold out hope that there's better paths available if I can find them, but this definitely answered the realistic part of my question.

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SimoneDeSex wrote

I suggest that you study and try to find some least bad job. Working half-time in some relatively decent place is something you probably can survive with your soul and mind intact.

There are still possibilities in at least developed countries to get some nice arts education and then working at some creative industry where you can at least do something interesting during daytime and then be free during evenings and weekends. Most active DIY-people, artists and anarchists I know have day jobs. They use the money to fund art projects, help homeless people and are active in unions.

We are almost all still working class at the end of the day. If we weren't there would be no need for revolution. If anybody could just live without money, nobody would need anarchism.

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Jialunes wrote

Try to get on disability benefits. It seems you're on a burn out, and depression is a valid reason to get help where I live.

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ukuleleclass wrote

honestly i think a lot of this discussion comes down to fear (at least for me). i desperately crave a more nomadic lifestyle but am also afraid of not having enough to do it. i think a lot of it comes down to just being open to having uncomfortable nights when you can’t find a couch to sleep on or maybe being a lil hungry or spending more time alone than preferred. i think what we also tend to forget is that no lifestyle is probably sustainable all the time— even most nomadic folks have gig jobs every once in a while or have a seasonal job.

my current strategy os to learn as many “hard” skills as i can— growing food, woodworking, electrical work, computer skills (lower on my list though lol). also a lot of it comes down to having good connections like just try and spend time out in the world in different scenes then you usually would because you never know the opportunities you could get. like maybe someone knows about an artist residency that pays well or a nannying/housework gig for some rich fuck.

other than the above, check out “woofing”. often can be exploitative as well but if you do your research and vet well it’s possible you can find a farm/commune to help out at and they’ll cover your food and housing costs. if you’re queer and into farming check out the queer farmers network too— sometimes i get emails about indigenous communities looking for help on reservations seasonally.

tbh i think you just gotta get creative and be okay with lots of change and not always knowing (which is part of the fun hehe).

good luck to us all !

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RandoJeff wrote

Live in squats, do drugs, become a rapper, die a legend at 35 or 40 if you play it safe.

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