For the vast, vast, majority of us, nothing that we do individually is important. Sure we work and provide some value to somebody somewhere, but if we didn't exist or didn't do that job, the world wouldn't be any worse off.

If you think otherwise, it's probably your ego lying to you.

And even still for those “others” - nothing individually they do is that important, it’s how the team they’ve assembled operates when the leader isn’t around... and as much as a belief system can anchor people into habits and behaviors, it’s still the deputies or vps of a cause that must maintain consistency in purpose...

That’s a long winded way of saying, no ones individual contributions are that important... it’s only through the concert of others that any person reaches those heights.

You can still do side projects when you’ve got kids. You just have to treat your priorities seriously, which usually means having to give up most of the netflix/social-media time. You also have to realize that in a two parent household, you don’t usually need both parents looking after the kids, and it’s better for both of you if you take turns (for your sanity AND for your free time).

That sounds pretty promising. Does taking turns work well in practice?

It can, but it really depends on the personalities of you and your partner. It works best if your partner also has some independent work they need to get done (or enjoy doing, ex a hobby).