So I have experienced both NEET life and wage slavery and in this video I want to talk about the pros and cons about both lifestyles. For those who don't know, NEET stands for not in employment, education or training, whereas wage slavery is about working for wages in a dead end job.
A few years ago I was at work training in a grocery store, stacking shelves, updating prices, removing expired food and so on. The first few weeks were alright, but towards the end of the training period I began to get really frustrated with the work and I was ready to go back to NEET life.
Basically as a wagie I had a daily schedule during the days when I worked, which brought some structure to my life. I also had more social contact during work, when I am a NEET I can go over a week without talking to anyone in person. So there are some benefits to being a wagie, in addition to the money you get from it.
In order to be a NEET, you have to be in a fortunate position. You have to either have a good financial situation or someone to finance your NEET life, like your parents or the government. Right now I am living the NEET life, and I am on disability income due to a mental health diagnosis. I also live in an apartment owned by my father, so I don't have to pay rent. I just have to do yard work like mow the lawn, clear weeds, paint the fence or the shed, that kind of stuff. This makes NEET life sustainable for me, for the time being.
What also helps me is being a minimalist, so I don't consume that many things which cost money. I just pay for my internet, phone, electricity, food, beer and some games that I play. Sometimes I will also buy movies or TV shows, but I don't have Netflix anymore. I'd rather own my entertainment if possible, I don't want to be a renter.
So what do I do as a NEET? Well I play some video games like GTA 5 and EVE Online, I watch some TV shows and movies, and then YouTube videos too, and obviously I make them as well. Then I do shitpost on reddit, yes I know many people don't like reddit, but to be honest some of the niche subreddits are still good. They don't have that many cringe people or bots like the mainstream subreddits. Then I sometimes work out and go for walks, although during the winter I am pretty much a hikikomori and don't go outside unless I need to. But now during the spring and summer I want to go out hiking more.
I think if and when my mental health improves, the ideal situation for me would be if I could be 70% a NEET and 30% a wagie or worker. So I could work maybe a few days per week and then do my own thing for the rest of the time. This way I could alternate between the two, and I wouldn't get too frustrated or bored with either lifestyle. Because when I was a wagie, I did eventually get frustrated with the work, and also as a NEET I can occasionally get quite bored with life. I believe having some form of balance is key.