We’re living in a chaotic world and, the more time passes, the more it feels like living a simple life is something we are not interested in anymore.
Back in 2024, when I visited Japan, I understood what living a simple life meant. People’s lives in Japan weren’t about becoming a millionaire, visiting 30 different countries by the age of 30, or being an influencer. They were about focus and dedication. They were about choosing one thing and mastering it. That’s why I saw many small restaurants run by 1-2 elderly people, doing everything themselves. It’s the kind of thing you see on Instagram and are fascinated with, thinking how different it is from the reality you’re living.
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After my visit to Japan, everything started to change in my life. I went from having a well-paid job to having no job for almost 1.5 years. I went from having close relationships to having no friends whatsoever. I went from living almost luxuriously to barely affording paying rent and food – I’m still there.
Why did it happen? Why all the sudden changes? Because I changed. I couldn’t do what I was doing anymore. I couldn’t communicate with those around me anymore. I started to see the cracks in reality and understood how superficial and stupid people are.
It’s stupid to chase big amounts of money, making compromises for it, not being able to live your life because of it, and also hurting others in the process (including those you care about).
I’ve seen how people are. Lately, most people have become obsessed with status and, to maintain whatever imaginary status they think they had, they lie, promise false hopes, mislead, cheat, steal, and blame others. We are so disconnected from eachother that we don’t understand what love is anymore. We don’t feel love because we don’t love anyone anymore. We just like the idea of love.
Having this said, I believe there are three important aspects when it comes to living a simple life.
Stop fighting AI
I’m not saying that you should implement AI in the things that you do. Not at all.
Right now, AI has become so big that it is impossible to avoid it. It is everywhere. And it will probably replace most of the things you do – including your job.
Therefore, instead of fighting AI, especially when it comes to your career, accept it. Accept that it is here and, with that acceptance in your mind and soul, decide what to do next.
My recommendation? Find something very simple that you could do so you can have a basic income. Something that requires you to work a few hours a day and helps you pay the bills. And use the remaining time to invest in your passions. Do whatever you love doing, with the resources you have available. Write, paint, dance, play video games, travel. And let your passion grow so much that eventually it will help you become financially independent.
Tell people to get out of your life
Living a simple life requires having only a few people around you.
The more people are in your life, the harder it will be for you to build quality relationships. You simply won’t have the time to take care of all your relationships properly. If you care about volume, you’ll live a superficial life that will only bring you chaos.
Since 2022 or 2023, I started saying goodbye to people.
Those who left immediately were exactly those who shouldn’t have been in my life at all.
Some of them were not bad people. But they were not really present. They were not authentically present in my life. They were there just to be there. And when I told them that I don’t want them in my life, they didn’t question my request or have any interest on why I was asking that. They just left.
It’s the easiest way to make space in your relationships.
And while others are chasing more and more relationships, just because they believe your network is your net worth, or some bullshit like that, I choose to live a simple and peaceful life, where my net worth is my peace.
Fuck society – make your own rules
Society is fucked up right now. More than ever.
Wars everywhere. People with hidden agendas are trying to tell you what to do just so they can benefit from it. Every social media post is trying to convince you to buy something. All bullshit.
In the midst of this chaos, make your own rules. Stay kind, be present, and make sure you smile. Living a simple life is better than any shiny bullshit society could give you right now.
With love and optimism,
David