4 Years OE. Last Day J3. What I Learned.
Tomorrow is my last day with my J3. That feels like a milestone and honestly, a stone's weight removed.
I have been OE for about 5 years now and remote for 10, working in the software dev space across various tech in the M world for most of my career. This stretch started as “let’s see what I am capable of” and turned into one of the most intense runs I have ever had. But it did not start here. For a long time I had one job like most people and I had always recognized how vulnerable that really is. It just took a few layoffs and getting closer to 50 for that reality to fully hit. That is when I found OE and it just made sense. I ran 2 jobs for a while. When things started getting shaky at my main role, I said none of these are safe anyway so let’s see how far I can push this.
This phase made me question reality. Not in a total bad sense, but in a “what the hell is this system actually” kind of way. The system still wins, do not be blind to that. It does not carry risk the way we do. It rewards output and cuts when it needs to. You can play it well and extract value, but there are tradeoffs. There is also a level of personal control you can take back if you are willing to see it clearly, not controlling people, but controlling how you operate inside it.
In this OE space I have seen all types, overachievers, kiss asses, ego driven assholes, genuinely good people and easy coasters. None of it is wrong. I am not here to tell anyone to grind harder or do less. I am saying do what feels right to you. For fucks sake stay in your lane, do not worry about what others are doing, and do not forget why you started doing this in the first place.
On a personal note about ROI, many talk about money. I associate different. My life experience fund has paid out more than anything else. That is what matters to me and my family. I have been present for my kids. Shown them places I could only dream about and I have built my schedule around them. I have gotten better at pushing back and letting go of ego and control as well. I proved something to myself in this stretch, but more importantly I figured out what I actually want to keep. This shit is incredible and difficult at the same time. It's not for everyone and not everyone will understand you in it.
I share this because OE can feel lonely in a weird way. Not traditional loneliness, but an awkward state where you start seeing the system for what it is and you cannot unsee it. Life is different for all of us, but do not forget to enjoy it. It is short, I promise you. On your final day you will never say I wish I did not take that vacation. Or maybe you will. That part is on you.
Until Valhalla my OE comrades. Fight the good fight and be kind.