So the distaste is for the sake of mental hygiene? Very understandable. I think the vast majority need to believe that there is a reason to existence, or that their actions count for something. Whether or not that's true is of course open for debate.
I think even if one tries to avoid the "zeitgeist" you'd still have to contend with it indirectly, that is unless you decide to go off the grid, and live in strict solitude like a monk in retreat. (But didn't Gautama have to do that to attain spiritual enlightenment?) How many people can handle direct communion with that magnitude of energy?
How do you personally read Sade Sati? Through the tropical or sidereal zodiac? If tropical I'm actually in the thick of it for a couple years now; if sidereal it's only just begun. It's a good thing I'm one of those people who find Saturn stimulating -- the claim being that those with Aquarius Moon aren't as negatively affected by it (the moon is still in Aqua whether in tropical or most ayanamsas)
Then if you can't avoid hardship then asking why and finding some meaning becomes the focus -- which brings us back full circle.