There’s a new coworker in town.

It doesn’t complain. It doesn’t take PTO. It doesn’t say “let’s circle back.” And worst of all, its getting better at my job…daily.

AI.. specifically Claude!

Somewhere between a product review planning, writing OKR’s and a late-night doom scroll, a thought has started casually dropping into my brain like it pays rent.

What if I’m replaceable?

Not dramatically “pack your bags immediately.” More like a slow, creeping realization that the thing I spent 15+ years getting good at can now be done in 12 seconds by something that doesn’t even need coffee.

Cool. Cool cool cool.

And then, because my brain enjoys escalation, it adds

What if I lose my job in my early 40s?

At this age, you’re not supposed to be “figuring things out.” You’re supposed to be the one who has figured things out. The one giving advice, not panic Googling “career pivot but make it graceful” at midnight.

There are EMIs. Expectations. A lifestyle that has become emotionally attached to my income.

But then a plot twist.

Another thought enters. Softer and slightly seductive.

What if I didn’t have to work?

Imagine. No meetings. No decks. No “quick syncs” that last 47 minutes. Just life. Travel. Time with family. Looonnnnnggg, slow mornings. Maybe even hobbies. Real hobbies like learning pottery or pilates.

Sounds dreamy.

Until you sit with it for more than 6 minutes.

Because here’s the part no one puts in those “quit your job and follow your passion” reels

What if I get bored?? aggressively bored?

What if, after 10 days of sunsets and quality time, I start picking fights with my own vacation? What if I begin missing meetings or feeling relevant? (This is my biggest fear and also deeply embarrassing.)

What if I start judging people who are working because I have no other personality left?

And the darkest thought of all:

What if I secretly don’t want this “freedom” as much as I claim I do?

Because work while annoying, chaotic, slightly soul-draining also gives structure and identity. A reason to wear real clothes on a weekday and get miles in your car that predominantly is parked in the back slots and mostly forgotten!

Without it, I might have to confront questions like Who am I without my job title? What do I do at 11:30 AM on a Tuesday? Why am I reorganizing my wardrobe for the third time in a week!

So now I’m in this deeply logical, very stable place where I’m scared AI will take my job. I’m also fantasizing about not having a job. I might resent the life I’m fantasizing about AND somehow, I still have a full calendar on Monday.

Honestly, AI isn’t the problem.

It’s just holding up a mirror and saying, “So what exactly is the plan here?”And I’d love to answer.

But I have a meeting.

Till later!