I can't devote three or more years of my remaining life to getting tenure, and only then have a little spare time for personal pursuits. Even after tenure, Profs can still be very busy. If I am not very careful, I will land in a job which does not leave me time for doing the things I want to in life. And if that happens, then I will probably never have time for what I want. Someday, it will all be over for Pope.
Some people get to retire, some get to have second careers.
You see, I am climbing this mountain, and I only get one chance to get it right. I think I'll play The Legend of Zelda for awhile. Or I'll read a book. The situation I have been outlining is a manifestation of the Abyss, in my opinion. And every job I can think of will involve lots of crap work that I will hate, and which will eat up whole years of my life.