this has entered my head recently and has proved very hard to shake. I'm 28 and work a decent job in Ireland, given my expenses, although I don't have a house I reckon I could be financially independent in 10years.

I work as a software engineer in test and have a good reputation, currently working in the healthcare field. I previously worked in finance and technology but changed field to 'do good work.' Disappointingly, the reality has been it's the same sort of crap, just wrapped with a new bow.

I feel like chasing money would be foolish, I certainly don't NEED it. Considering beyond the next 10years I always expected to 'work' in some capacity, though not sure exactly what this will look like, especially given I'm a software engineer in test which doesn't seem like a role required outside huge corporations.

If I don't chase money and changing to a 'feel good' industry didn't work, what else is there? As I alluded to above, I'm not sure chasing mastery in test engineering is a useful endeavor either?

So what is everyone else out there chasing if it isn't money? Perhaps it is money to escape the rat race? After the escape what's the plan?