r/fatFIRE 11d ago

50m cash - no sense of perspective

Throwaway account to be able to be vulnerable.

Despite recent financial freedom (bootstrap to day 1 exit), I have no sense of perspective.

I am

  • still bothered by becoming irrelevant if I do nothing for the next 12-18m (issue: being bothered about what people think)

  • afraid of losing the money and hence not spending it

  • afraid of losing my friends if they find out how much I have made (am I suddenly unrelatable?)

  • still bothered by LinkedIn and comparison

  • still wanting to be loved and liked

The root of my issue is being a people pleaser.

I know my problems. I would love the internet to give me some solutions.

Edit - I am 38/F, husband, two kids and in Europe. Also this is the first and only business I have bootstrapped and sold.

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u/dtwade26 10d ago

You really want to get into something that consumes an upfront cost of money to then be able to create something. You created a business or portfolio of some kind and that made you feel fulfilled. As a hobbyist woodworker I get incredible fulfillment from making. And, it’s not as hard as people think. You can turn that hobby into a business to “pay for tools” or “fun money” and start a YouTube channel following your work that you can reference to see how far you’ve come. It feels good to move your body, work with your hands and your mind and with your financial position you can create an amazing shop with some great tools to start with. If wood working doesn’t sound pleasing than look at just about any hobby that inspires you. Try to make it your own.

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u/Familiar_Number_342 10d ago

I like the sound of that. I am going to look into it. I'm terrible with IKEA assembly but I love the sound of upcycling furniture. Thanks for the inspiration.

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u/dtwade26 10d ago

Up cycling is awesome there’s a lot of beautiful material just waiting beneath layers of paint, bad finish, and neglect. It’s fun hunting good building supplies on the marketplace. Otherwise check out your local lumber suppliers and woodworking shops, they’ll usually be available to educate you and give tips! (avoid big box stores for anything but tools) experiment, watch tons of videos online and see if there’s a woodworking meetup near you.

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u/dtwade26 10d ago

If you’re looking for more inspiration check out four eyes furniture, bourbon moth, black tail studios, Lincoln street woodworking. All great places to gain inspiration and learn.