Trading freedom for purpose
Used to travel a ton for work, stayed out late, had no real roots anywhere. Felt important I guess. Then I met someone, we had a kid, and I realized I was missing everything. Asked
RRuben A.140 views
10
How life changed since becoming a dad. Identity shifts, things you miss, things you gained, the transformation of fatherhood.
553 threads
Used to travel a ton for work, stayed out late, had no real roots anywhere. Felt important I guess. Then I met someone, we had a kid, and I realized I was missing everything. Asked
Married with two kids now and I love my family, I really do. But sometimes I think about my 20s when I could just go on a road trip with buddies whenever I wanted, or sleep in, or
When my oldest was born I just let myself go completely. Got up to like 230 lbs, didn't recognize myself in photos. Last year my wife basically gave me an ultimatum, not about my w
Used to have everything scheduled. Workouts at 6am, work 8-5, kids activities all logged, meal plan set. Wife said I needed to relax and let things happen. Since loosening up I spe
Started at 245 pounds about 2 years ago. Couldnt walk up stairs without being winded. My kids would ask me to play with them and I'd just say later buddy. After my checkup scared m
Bad knees and a bad back finally caught up with me. I was making decent money but couldnt even pick up my son without pain. Took a pay cut to get into accounting, which I hated at
Life changed overnight when my daughter was born. I woke up one day and realized I was 32, broke, tired all the time, and my kid barely knew me. Went cold turkey on the drinking sc
Quit my job 8 months ago when kiddo was born. Made six figures, had the corner office, the whole deal. Now I'm covered in spit-up, haven't shaved in a week, and I'm genuinely excit
Started at 285, now at 200. Took about 2 years of hitting the gym before work and cutting out fast food. The physical transformation is obvious but the real change is I can actuall
Got my college sweetheart pregnant at 20. Had no plan, no money, parents flipped out. Worked two jobs, got my degree part-time, became a construction supervisor by 28. My kid is 9
Honestly the transition has been wild. I used to close bars at 3am, sleep til noon, spend my paychecks on concert tickets and random road trips. Now I'm up at 6am, I know all the w
Used to make 6 figures, had an office, business cards that meant something to someone. Worked 50-60 hours a week and barely knew my kids. One day my oldest asked me why I was alway
I was a pretty selfish guy after my first marriage ended. Lived alone, did whatever I wanted, thought that was freedom. Then I met Sarah and we had kids back to back. I'm not gonna
Three years ago I was sleeping til noon on weekends. Now I'm up at 6am making pancakes shaped like dinosaurs for a 4 year old who only eats the legs. I can't remember the last time
Used to stay at the office til 8 or 9pm working on projects. Loved that part of my job. Now I'm out the door at 5:30 like my life depends on it. Lost some of that identity as the h
Used to just get in the car and drive. Now everything needs to be planned three weeks in advance, scheduled around nap times and snack times and 'dad I have to pee' times. I miss t
Before kids I was about me. My schedule, my interests, my money, my time. It was amazing honestly. Now everything is about them and I love them so much it hurts. But sometimes at l
The day my son was born everything I thought mattered suddenly didn't. The promotion at work, the new car, the apartment in the cool neighborhood. All of it just faded like it was
Used to hit the gym five times a week, was in the best shape of my life. Now I'm lucky if I get 20 minutes on the treadmill twice a week when my wife can watch the kids. I'm heavie
Before kids I was 'the guy who had it together.' Had a sick apartment, went to concerts, dated around, had opinions about coffee beans. Now I'm the guy explaining to my 7 year old