Thank you for the shout out Ryan! I relate to so much of what you wrote here. I also think it's interesting that animals like cats are happy and can just enjoy their life as is.
I’m tired of it too Ryan. And I agree with what you say RE labour being optional in the future. We’ll probably look back on the 5 day 40 hour workweek (which is really more like 50-60) one day as the Industrial Revolution looked back on slavery.
I think the attitude shift has already happened on a grand scale (COVID as the predominant catalyst), and progressively more and more people will be ‘inducted’ to this way of thinking. How long? No idea.
I think you're right that pandemic lockdowns caused a big awakening.
I'm not sure what the next step-change will be (or if progress will be more gradual).
I'm also optimistic that https://www.youtube.com/@RepresentUs will keep making progress in the USA to move us towards rank-choice voting so that we don't need to choose between 2 terrible candidates.
If better leaders can win, maybe cultural change will happen faster.
I was investing like crazy before 2023 when I realized that the time to enjoy my life was here and now. So I bought a coffee machine I'd wanted for some time. It added comfort to my life.
I understand your brother. Lots of Americans move to Spain these days. Good climate, hospitable people, and affordable housing/food/healthcare prices.
Languages used to be my passion. I stopped learning them "actively" but am always curious about the grammar of a new language I come across.
I tried to understand Thai on my own but it was beyond me. I need a private teacher, I think, although I'm nowhere near moving to the country at this point. And you can do lots of things in English there.
I’ve just been writing about this myself. The take a break cause it’s good for you movement seems to have become popular around 2015 but it never really took off with employers from what we see today. I love taking a break with craft hobbies.
It's wonderful that cats and toddlers can be happy and just enjoy the present.
I will think of your NYT articles the next time my toddler throws a tantrum. In the grand scheme of things, they are right. My toddler also does so many wonderful things and smiles VERY much. He can hold eye contact and greets other people. That is wonderful.
It's funny to think that adults actually might do better if we threw tantrums too.
Toddlers feel their emotions (don't repress them), and then they quickly pass.
Many adults bottle everything up instead of letting their bodies experience a situation honestly.
I bet one day more adults will realize— just like we control when and where we pee—we could find a private moment (soon after an incident) and allow our bodies to process it.
Thank you for the shout out Ryan! I relate to so much of what you wrote here. I also think it's interesting that animals like cats are happy and can just enjoy their life as is.
My partner and I get a lot of inspiration from her (more than I expected). 😊
Haha cats are the spirit guides we need in this hustle obsessed world!
I’m tired of it too Ryan. And I agree with what you say RE labour being optional in the future. We’ll probably look back on the 5 day 40 hour workweek (which is really more like 50-60) one day as the Industrial Revolution looked back on slavery.
Any thoughts on when attitudes will shift and what will cause them?
I think the attitude shift has already happened on a grand scale (COVID as the predominant catalyst), and progressively more and more people will be ‘inducted’ to this way of thinking. How long? No idea.
What’s your thoughts/perspective?
I think you're right that pandemic lockdowns caused a big awakening.
I'm not sure what the next step-change will be (or if progress will be more gradual).
I'm also optimistic that https://www.youtube.com/@RepresentUs will keep making progress in the USA to move us towards rank-choice voting so that we don't need to choose between 2 terrible candidates.
If better leaders can win, maybe cultural change will happen faster.
I was investing like crazy before 2023 when I realized that the time to enjoy my life was here and now. So I bought a coffee machine I'd wanted for some time. It added comfort to my life.
It can be tough to know which purchases will have that payoff!
Some that we like are our king-size bed and weighted comforter.
And especially the $18 heating pad that our cat LOVES. What a great $18 spent.
What are some other ways you've started enjoying life in the present?
Traveling, mostly. I travel for work (Europe and Middle East) and go to Asia for vacation. Happy to read your cat is enjoying life too :)
Travel is a great way to experience life-changing perspective-shifts.
My brother even recently decided to live abroad permanently since he was tired of American culture.
It's cool to hear about how his life has been different in Spain and Costa Rica (2 places he has lived).
Are you good with languages?
I remember you thinking about moving to Thailand.
That takes a lot of courage.
I understand your brother. Lots of Americans move to Spain these days. Good climate, hospitable people, and affordable housing/food/healthcare prices.
Languages used to be my passion. I stopped learning them "actively" but am always curious about the grammar of a new language I come across.
I tried to understand Thai on my own but it was beyond me. I need a private teacher, I think, although I'm nowhere near moving to the country at this point. And you can do lots of things in English there.
What are you plans for your 40s?
We bought a house in the Atlanta suburbs and will settle here.
Still deciding whether to have a kid (and we also have a nearby nephew).
With how much the world is changing, I'm having a harder time predicting the future too far out.
I’ve just been writing about this myself. The take a break cause it’s good for you movement seems to have become popular around 2015 but it never really took off with employers from what we see today. I love taking a break with craft hobbies.
Nice, Val! Please share more about your craft hobbies.
What do you feel when doing them?
Any fun photos or links you could paste here?
I’m just finishing a patchwork pillow case that is part of my next post today or tomorrow. Next week’s post is more on how I take a break.
So cool! Those homemade items are the most cherished ones ❤️
It's wonderful that cats and toddlers can be happy and just enjoy the present.
I will think of your NYT articles the next time my toddler throws a tantrum. In the grand scheme of things, they are right. My toddler also does so many wonderful things and smiles VERY much. He can hold eye contact and greets other people. That is wonderful.
It's funny to think that adults actually might do better if we threw tantrums too.
Toddlers feel their emotions (don't repress them), and then they quickly pass.
Many adults bottle everything up instead of letting their bodies experience a situation honestly.
I bet one day more adults will realize— just like we control when and where we pee—we could find a private moment (soon after an incident) and allow our bodies to process it.