I'm only interested in the simple life. That, my friends, is having the ability to not pack a damn thing and go at any moment's notice.
Materialism
- Thread starter conjamuk
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Yea, what a horrible & depressing life it must be......
Better go work at mcdonalds, drive a geo metro, and live in a tiny apartment near the train tracks so I can achieve true happiness.
I wonder if these things ever get old. I mean... I'm extremely drawn to them, but I've gone tired of stuff like that on a lower level. Is it truly different at the top?
This simply could not be more true. I've only recently passed through the evangelical phase. As in, maybe just a couple of months ago... I actually could go through my posts on WF and see the transition from evangelical to I just have to use the system to make as much monies as I can, while I can. That is truly the only way to "win". It's a tough realization to come to.. that you can't really do shit about the way things are. People simply do not fucking care, and you can't force someone to care about anything... you can only lead them through their own enlightenment. It hurts actually, to even say it aloud, simply because I believe in the ideals of fighting for liberty. The emotions that one harbors while pursuing changing the system can also be very detrimental to your life. I'm not sure if this is what you're referring to but that's been my experience at least.
As far as minimalism: I consider myself to be a minimalist in that I simply do not want tons of mental baggage, or mental debt so to speak. Having a shit ton of clothes I never wear... stresses me out for some reason. When I rid myself of that clutter and only buy quality things that actually do have value, I'm much happier. I recently donated 23 pairs of shoes to the salvation army. 23 fucking pairs of shoes! What a waste of time and money. Now I own 4 pair BUT those 4 pair are quite expensive so I'm not sure if that's minimalism or not. Traditionally, minimalism is thought of as those 4 pairs of shoes being a couple pair of flip flops and some sneakers. I would also be quite happy with a lambo and a yacht being my only possessions, is that minimalism?
I'm rambling.. I don't really think I've made any concrete points at all in this post. You fags get my point.
You can, but you can't change the world in one swoop. You have to do it one person at a time. I affect you, and you affect a few more people and so on.
Social change is viral, not systematic. You need to be willing to plant seeds if you wanna bear fruit.
I think you have to be happy for it to be minimalism. If you don't have shit and you are miserable about it, then that's not minimalism, that's just being a peasant.
A relative sent me this last week
Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice | Video on TED.com
If you got the money spend it. Why sacrifice the enjoyments of life? You guys going to have the benjis sprinkled over your casket in your 6ft hole or what?
There are many other things to spend money on instead/in addition to acquiring stuff. I really don't care for "stuff," but experiences and doing shit are different matters. I also like to prioritize higher-end things in some categories and forgo a lot of the shit shit.
How you feel about yourself is a function of who you are, not what you have (or even what you've done, for that matter).
Not to derail the thread..
I understand your point, but wouldn't you agree that those people or groups of people who really affect change combine both virality and systems in order to do so? I think the combination is actually the key to it all.
I suppose this is true but how can you feel good about yourself without having anything or having accomplished anything?
Actually, I know someone like this, and I guess this supports your point more than mine.. He is 34 years old, lives with his GF with their 4 kids in a 2 bedroom shitty ass house that has roaches and has been broken into at least 2 times in the past 3 years bc of the neighborhood it's in. He works as a manager at a retail store in the mall and his gf works at a bank.. they have 2 shitty vehicles that are constantly breaking down. He is overweight as is his girl. His kids are loud, obnoxious, spoiled brats that all have multiple ipods, ipads, playstations, tvs, etc...so many consumer electronics in that small house. Every year, all they look forward to is income tax time (which disgusts me)... and I shit you not when I say he is one of the happiest people I know. I'm not talking shit about him (except for the tax thing), as he is one of the most giving people I know and I've seen him go so far out of his way to help other people when most people wouldn't. Every year he gets me a birthday and Christmas present (usually a tub of $50 protein) even if I haven't spoken to him for a few months. I was talking to him the other day and he was getting all teary eyed out of nowhere.. and he proceeds to tell me that it's bc he is so happy! WTF! Here I am, in far better financial and physical positions than him... making myself miserable bc I can't be happy until I achieve my goals and prove to myself and everyone else that I'm capable... or whatever the fuck it is that I'm trying to prove. And there he is HAPPY AS A MOTHERFUCKER.
Blows my mind. Honestly, sometimes it disgusts me that he is so content and doesn't want to strive to achieve and attain the most out of life that he can... but the bottom line is he is happier than me.
I suppose there is much I could learn from him, but it is pain that keeps me going. I feed on it. It has nothing to do with having things.. it only has to do with "having" accomplishments and living up to my potential, and being able to give everyone a big giant fuck you if I feel like it. I guess that is who i am, and that is who he is. The whole ignorance is bliss thing.
So, I guess you are correct... it truly is a function of who you are.
Yea, what a horrible & depressing life it must be......
Better go work at mcdonalds, drive a geo metro, and live in a tiny apartment near the train tracks so I can achieve true happiness.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx0kCrD7QRA]Jurerê Internacional - Florianópolis/Santa Catarina/Brasil - Verão 2010 - YouTube[/ame]
I have a two bedroom apartment. There's nothing in it except a plastic Walmart fold out desk, a chair from a local coffee shop, and a blow up mattress. . . All of which can be thrown out in less than a minute.
All of my clothing can be shoved into my suitcase, and I'm off.
However, I did error in buying a motorcycle when I already have a car. And my sedan cannot pull a trailer. So, I fucked myself there.
I've been living like this my entire life. My friends always joke about "the green bag," because it literally carried 100% of my possessions.
Wouldn't live any other way.
All of my clothing can be shoved into my suitcase, and I'm off.
However, I did error in buying a motorcycle when I already have a car. And my sedan cannot pull a trailer. So, I fucked myself there.
I've been living like this my entire life. My friends always joke about "the green bag," because it literally carried 100% of my possessions.
Wouldn't live any other way.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBqQ2YPO9ks&feature=relmfu]Insightful Alan Watts Zen Series - Part V ~ Life and Music - YouTube[/ame]
I believe you'll find watching this to be a valuable (and entertaining) 2.5 minutes.
And a question - why do you feel that you need to have achieved or accomplished anything before you have permission to feel good about yourself? Who grants or withholds this permission?
women must really love your rape den
i have a place filled with nice furniture and its kept very clean and aesthetically pleasing... i must be doing it wrong
edit: i'd also like to add that how does owning property hinder someone from being able to pack up and go where they want? I travel a lot (months at a time) and sometimes i'm even booking a plane ticket on my way to the airport (the leave at any moment aspect)... there is nothing wrong with having nice things and a home base... especially if you can do both
A lot of people just see it as a pain in the ass. I have a lot of land at Lake of the Ozarks that I bought from tax auctions, but it really is more trouble than it's worth. I've given half of it away to family members, just so I don't have to be responsible for it.
i feel you on that... i don't want land... i live in nyc.
I have a brother who owns lots of property upstate ny... spends half his weekend taking care of it... i do not understand that
I wonder what the world would look like without credit. Far less flashy objects you envy, if you had to buy them outright.
Which reminds me:
[ame="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2550156453790090544"]Money As Debt[/ame]
Which reminds me:
[ame="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2550156453790090544"]Money As Debt[/ame]
Great vid.. long time Alan Watts fan.
I don't want to turn this into a woe is me, therapy session thread, but I will say that boiled down to it's most fundamental root cause.. it would probably be ego. Now, there's a fuck ton of deep thinking that could go into that conversation, but I'll leave it at that. I do appreciate where you're taking things though, and will give it much (too much probably) thought.
Aww G, I thought you'd never ask. PM sent sir.
I enjoy good practical stuff which makes my life easier: a smartphone saves me so much time, a car makes me less dependent on public transport (and peasent disease), a nice apartment makes me able to relax, a good laptop, good shaving gear, all those kinds of things.
I also know I can live with close to no posessions as I've done that already.
Peasents are always afraid to lose what little they own. I find it liberating to have been down in the dumps and living from couch to couch. Makes you less attached to your money and stuff.
However, having recently turned 30, I must admit my tolerance for inconvinience is less now. I don't want to stress about shit so if something makes me not have to deal with petty shit, then I'll buy it.
In that regard, having a maid come by a few times a week is a luxury well worth spending your money on.
I also know I can live with close to no posessions as I've done that already.
Peasents are always afraid to lose what little they own. I find it liberating to have been down in the dumps and living from couch to couch. Makes you less attached to your money and stuff.
However, having recently turned 30, I must admit my tolerance for inconvinience is less now. I don't want to stress about shit so if something makes me not have to deal with petty shit, then I'll buy it.
In that regard, having a maid come by a few times a week is a luxury well worth spending your money on.