Did We Lose the Work Mindset?

I'm about to turn 27, and lately, I've been thinking a lot about our relationship with work. Looking around, I see people on completely different paths, yet they all seem to have one thing in common: a weak, if not nonexistent, connection to the idea of work as a value.

There are temp workers, unemployed folks, government employees who seem to be on a never-ending vacation. Some inherit houses and don't have to work, while others, with nothing to their name, still manage to avoid working. Then there are those who don't work simply because they don't want to, and those who are so unprepared that they can't even get a job as a barista.

At this point, I wonder: have we completely lost the meaning of work?

They say work gives people dignity, but is that still true? What I see is a disillusioned generation that sees work as nothing more than a way to get to the weekend or their next vacation. The dream of building a career, of becoming truly skilled at something, seems to be fading away.

For many, work feels like an obstacle - something to endure as little as possible. The new mindset seems to be: do the bare minimum and clock out as soon as you can. No passion, no desire to grow. Just a rush to get out the door.

But wasn't there a time when work was something worth investing in? When it was an important part of our identity?

Maybe the world has changed, and I just didn't get the memo.

I actually like my job. I enjoy learning new things, improving myself, and taking on new challenges. If I finish early, I don't run off - I work on a personal project or study something new. For me, work isn't a cage to escape from; it's a space to grow.

So now I ask myself: am I the one who's wrong? Or is it everyone else?

I thought by 27, I'd have a clearer view of life. Instead, I feel more confused than ever.