How do I find a truly satisfying role for the long(ish) term?

The question was asked first on LinkedIn where other answers can be found. My answer was:

“Dear Martin,
Perhaps you are a character without a plot. The "marriage" you are in no longer works. Perhaps it's time to "divorce" yourself. Why not take a look at No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty.

Take 30 days and produce at least 50,000 words.

Let the new characters you encounter speak to you and simply write down what they say, including in the process what you see when you are encountering them.
My prediction, if you take me up on this dare, is that you will uncover a new part of you that brings you out of your boredom.

Then take a look at The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition by Christopher Vogler. It may help you analyze where you are on your own journey.

There seems to me to be an underlying issue that you resist facing. You may want to take a look at What Men Are Like by John A. Sanford, since this approach is quite common for bright men like yourself.

My observation of your question is that, on the positive side, you are like a wandering hero. A little like Lee Marvin's character Ben in "Paint Your Wagon."
On the flip side, you are like Humphrey Bogart's Rick in "Casablanca" and thus protective of yourself like a turtle who withdraws into his hard shell when sensing a threat. Rick figures it out: giving up his own hurt idealism in favor of real friendship.

On the other hand, Ben's "Pardner" (Clint Eastwood) settles down, finds a home, and lives. That is ultimately the kind of project that will be compelling for you. For then you will experience a new level of purpose. You will find the story of your life.

To do this, you will have to examine your values to learn if you are willing to commit to living with a partner; your personal mission statement to bring in front of you what you were born for; your purpose in relationships allowing you to enjoy and to suffer with others; and your vision to see what home really means to you.

This will not be easy and it may take you 10 years or more, even the rest of your life, but, my friend, if you do it, your life will become so meaningful that the empty boredom you now feel (which is too close to a form of despair for me not to notice it) will transform into a willing receptivity of insights.

Your cup will overflow. May God be with you on your journey.”

What do you think?

Please include your comment here or contact me to discuss.

Thanks.

John Darrouzet