Wow. You totally had me at "I’m always trying to think of ways to cut through the negative noise in my own head, things like—excuses, defense mechanisms, comforting lies, fears, past trauma, victimhood mentality, etc. These things always stand between where we are and where we want to be." This is like the monologue of my internal process almost to the T.
I find concepts like reincarnation, extra terrestrial life, living in a simulation and the like entertaining but try to stop it at that. Pausing reality for a break of thoughtfulness is one thing but too much of that drains my will to face reality and do what needs to be done for my family, friends, and community.
That being said, I too dream of the cottage beside the water and a simpler yet productive end of life. Seeing that I am immortal, that seems like the horizon that never arrives as I concentrate on building a business and supporting a family. ;)
Pondering the next life is a wonderful exercise even how I frame it as it is never too late to start something and those objectives can drive change right now so we attain some of those benefits in this life.
Let's do this!
This idea had been rattling around in my head for a few days and when these ideas don't vanish into thin air I've learned to write them down.
I was really surprised by what I learned by doing this...software development?! I hadn't thought about coding much since I was in middle school doing basic coding on an old Macintosh. I think there will be a real need for this though, even after AI can do it all themselves. Humans will want a seat at that table.
I tend to try to keep an open mind about these things, while trying not to go too overboard. I've experienced things I can't fully explain, especially living a few hundred miles from Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
Looking forward to reading your post if you give it a go!