i feel like my most of my existential dread comes from having to work all the time and never having enough money

For me, yes. I generally am a happy person and even though my bouts of depression I am grateful for life. What I despise is having to spend my time doing chit that brings me no joy, fulfillment or advancement just to pay these bills.

I thinks its being fat. Everyone is fat now and being fat is miserable. Yes even being slightly overweight like 5lbs is enough to make you a miserable sack.

it is not wage slaving - it is the lack of hope

back then, you could be a single income household where the male is a bus driver and get a home and pay down debts in 10 years

now? if you don't get a degree, you won't be able to afford a house and no dating options etc.

Yea try losing like 50lbs OP

Prob the reason you're so depressed all the time

It's the lack of a clear path out.

Back in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, it was pretty easy to know what you had to do to get your life on track and make a good living.

Today it has become ridiculous. Even if you're making 100k, the possibility of homeownership in most areas is out of the question.

As someone said above, it's the hopelessness and knowing that even if you do everything right, you still only have a slim chance of success.

There's also the family part of it.

There is a serious lack of quality human beings to have relationships with, especially in western countries.

No.

Have you seen the studies that show people are happier when they have stuff to do- but don't want to do it? Rather, they are happier having done it as opposed to not. So basically like being forced

Like say on Saturday you have some forced obligation - you're happier going to it than staying home and not!

Stop and think about something. Work is inherent with life. If grocery stores didn't provide food, how would you eat?

Maybe you could get lucky and find some land with some stuff but then it's gone if you don't replant/ harvest it... work

People are so delusional

It's not you. Just typing that out just makes me realize how many layers people are beyond reality

If your work pays off it isn't . Guys are motivated to work by a few things. To avoid homelessness and hunger are sort of negative motivators, but important. The other motivators tha are positive is that a steady paycheck will help you have a better lifestyle and a house and car and hopefully attract a fertile female, which is the most important motivator for a guy.

These days guys just work to avoid homelessness and thats all. That is just too meaningless of an existance, which is why a lot of the leftover guys will quir work and just buy a van to live in, get on disability and food stamps and just sort of exist.

Generally, no .

Although I dislike my current job and think I'd be better off If I switched

Maybe, Kormo and Havoc seem to be the happiest miscers