I am bit oldschool at heart. I definitely want to succeed in professional life, as that will be a sign to me that I achieved something during the time I spend on earth. So I agree with you that work life provides purpose and self worth.

However, i will also derive value and satisfaction if I dont succeed but someone succeeds by learning from my failures or if i can mentor someone towards success or achieve whatever satisfaction they want to achieve.

I also find purpose from keeping alive some of the skills that are dying thanks to automation, and its neither work nor a hobby for me. I think some of these basics skills such as fixing things, cooking or even driving are slowly dying as innovation and economies of scale drive prices lower.

And i think people feel depressed once they have no work because i agree, a large chunk of their life that gave them a reason to fight, do something is gone. I can see that with my parents. Its like the world stamped them with "you're only good enough to die a slow death now."

Again, very insightful.