Reddit reviews The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube

>If I could stay home all of the time, I'd have PLENTY to do. I would have so much time and energy... I could go to the gym regularly, clean my house regularly, start my huge backlog of games/books/tv shows, learn how to do so many hobbies: drawing, painting, web design, writing, creating music, and more. I could volunteer at animal shelters and be surrounded by the things that I love.
>Why can't I do these things now?

Oh man, I have SO felt the same way. And the thing is, you can do those things, it just may take some time to transition into a lifestyle that you find more fulfilling.

My goal after working a 9-to-5 and realizing it just didn't agree with me (normally people would think that sounds entitled, but as HSPs I think you guys know exactly what I mean!) was to find a way to make a more sustainable life for myself, which meant becoming self-employed. Is the IT work you do something you can do from home for different clients as a contractor? If so, that would mean flexible hours (or at least more so), giving you the freedom to volunteer at an animal shelter and pursue your happy-place hobbies so your life doesn't feel so meaningless.

You can do it. You can have whatever life you want, if you have the skills that can afford you more independence and the determination to make a big change. Not sure of your gender, but this book is great for women who, like me, wanted to escape the rat race (could be applied to dudes too, I think). Sometimes just making the promise to yourself to take a leap, even if it takes months or even years to put it into practice, can rev up your motivation, since you'll be thinking about what you truly want and how to make it happen.

TM has also been a huge boon in my life. It's an energy recharge twice a day and has helped with my anxiety. Might be worth checking out!

Keep us posted! We're rooting for you! :)