# On life segmentation and happiness
### 20180709
My identity, purpose, life is completely divorced from my employment. This was not always the case. I took it home. Allowed myself to feel stress, anger, etc. I did work related research in my off time. I entertained phone calls on my own time.
Some time about seven or eight years ago now I made a conscious decision to get a divorce -- from work. To find pursuits in completely different areas, to allow no overlap. This has worked very well. I have been doing a very lot of metaphysical research over the last decade and this became part of my new purpose. Also music, reading, a more active role in my family (I used to work very long hours, spent my oldest two kids' younger years working 16-18 hour days), recently gaming, and am looking into cultivating skills to help in self sufficiency. I am also kicking around the idea of teaching myself Old English or Old Norse.
There is a lot of material around that shows that men, in particular, who's entire purpose is tied to their work die soon after retirement. A super quick internet search has the article [here](
http://www.moolanomy.com/2344/how-to-die-young-retire-early-ryan14/#ixzz5KnMUEgtV) as the top result and has this to say:
> ...it would seem that if you want to live a full life, early retirement would not be the best option. However, working towards something related to your purpose your whole life may be your best bet at hitting the 100 year mark.
So, if you haven't done so, divorce your purpose from your employment. Make your employment pay your bills, not define you. Do not let all of your time be swallowed by your vocation. You cannot go back to see what you missed, and money does not replace the time you lost.
