Thanks for this – it’s a thoughtful reminder that “work” and “meaning” don’t have to be mutually exclusive. As an occupational health epidemiologist, I often think about how much of our lives are spent at work, and how both the content of that work and the conditions we work under shape well-being, identity, and long-term health. I agree that time with loved ones matters enormously – but I also think there’s something life-affirming about doing work that contributes to systemic change, whether that’s protecting people’s health today or reducing the risk of catastrophic harms to humanity in the future.
Thanks for this – it’s a thoughtful reminder that “work” and “meaning” don’t have to be mutually exclusive. As an occupational health epidemiologist, I often think about how much of our lives are spent at work, and how both the content of that work and the conditions we work under shape well-being, identity, and long-term health. I agree that time with loved ones matters enormously – but I also think there’s something life-affirming about doing work that contributes to systemic change, whether that’s protecting people’s health today or reducing the risk of catastrophic harms to humanity in the future.