However, the expected lifetimes are obviously too low. It expects me to end up at approximately age 80, but that is an underestimation. I dont know if the lifetimes that are used are just outdated, or if they lack expected mortality improvements.

So, actual advice:

First one: have patience. Don’t expect any big results, side projects etc. If you produce something worthwile, great, but don’t plan for it and expect it.

Second: Looking back on accomplishments tends to look impressive compared to looking at future plans. You cant do three big projects at the same time, and you might compare to other ppl who did several nice projects. But, they did’t do them at the same time - they probably did them over several years and focused on one project at a time. Maybe, back to the first point: don’t be ambitious here. Just do something fun.

Third: do something fun. When doing your masters degree, you have a lot of stuff you must do. For the projects in your spare time, do something _fun_, whereever that may lead you. I played a lot of World of Warcraft, at a time where I could be programming. But it was fun. Looking back, it really taught me invaluable lessons about communication, teamwork, high performance teams, motivation and leadership. These skills I employ in my current job (in some form). But from the outside, it might just seem like a waste of time. (Well, a lot of it was, but I spent a lot of time managing a top raid guild).

Fourth: perfectionism is great in a way, because you tend to produce results of really high quality. However, in my grown life, I have come to realize, that it is mostly a burden. Perfectionism is an enemy of balancing the effort-reward balance. E.g. doing a task quickly and “poorly” is often _far_ better than not doing it, because you don’t have time to do it perfectly. When you really think about it, then the best use of your time is not to do everything perfect, but to produce as much value as possible, whatever quality is required in the specific situation - and perfectionism is an enemy of this. It really can be a handicap.

So, just to finish up: your problems are not unique. I love that you are able to reflect on them - keep doing that. And, lower your ambitions and just do something fun in your spare time - the results, whatever they might be - will follow.

I guess, if I would continue for a long time I would either pick up gaming with the aim of becoming skilled, or do something productive, like start some programming tasks or similar.

Right now I have a month left.

BTW my main goal for the time being is to experience boredom (where I’m partly succeeding). That way I can hopefully look back at this time and recall why I’m usually busy and why it is a good thing.

I’m an actuary and reasearcher, and the theory is well explained in the academic literature. And you are of course right with respect to the volatility of your future earnings.

What would have happened had they not complied?

Thankfully it is weekend now, so I have two full days before returning to work and having to use Teams again.