This reminds me of the first time in my life I finally had my own money, and I started buying things. It went like this: Pleasure, dopamine -> crash... Pleasure, dopamine -> crash...
Until I realized 1) it's a loop, 2) it's a freaking fast-moving loop, 3) the more things I have, the more I dread moving. That loop was broken thanks to a single apartment change : )
This is super insightful on 2 levels I think. First - this "the more things I have, the more I dread moving" - so interesting. It's almost like there is a relationship between material clutter and mental clutter which stops us from moving.
Second, the fact that the loop was broken by a pretty drastic change in environment. Would you say it was the new environment, or the process of moving that triggered the breaking of the loop?
I feel like the initial buying was snap from perceived restriction or deprivation into abundance or excess.
Like when someone is restricted in freedom or food and then gets access without a limit, they consume more than they normally would, or go wild, like overcompensation for previous restriction or scarcity. And it probably needs to click in your system that there is no scarcity to rebounce to some peaceful normal.
Then the moving part, it wouldn't keep me from moving, but the moving made me feel burdened by stuff I now needed to carry with me. And I probably valued freedom as being unburdened and able to move more freely more.
So I purged it and kept it relatively light since then. Also my relationship to owning things.. I don't like owning burden : )
This article was the perfect timing for me. Thank you Zan. In my case, I always have a yearning to bounce around to new places. The reality is this isn't always an option. Embracing not moving around is the best and only way.
This reminds me of the first time in my life I finally had my own money, and I started buying things. It went like this: Pleasure, dopamine -> crash... Pleasure, dopamine -> crash...
Until I realized 1) it's a loop, 2) it's a freaking fast-moving loop, 3) the more things I have, the more I dread moving. That loop was broken thanks to a single apartment change : )
This is super insightful on 2 levels I think. First - this "the more things I have, the more I dread moving" - so interesting. It's almost like there is a relationship between material clutter and mental clutter which stops us from moving.
Second, the fact that the loop was broken by a pretty drastic change in environment. Would you say it was the new environment, or the process of moving that triggered the breaking of the loop?
I feel like the initial buying was snap from perceived restriction or deprivation into abundance or excess.
Like when someone is restricted in freedom or food and then gets access without a limit, they consume more than they normally would, or go wild, like overcompensation for previous restriction or scarcity. And it probably needs to click in your system that there is no scarcity to rebounce to some peaceful normal.
Then the moving part, it wouldn't keep me from moving, but the moving made me feel burdened by stuff I now needed to carry with me. And I probably valued freedom as being unburdened and able to move more freely more.
So I purged it and kept it relatively light since then. Also my relationship to owning things.. I don't like owning burden : )
Nice - I figured you’d say something like that about the moving part and living lean :)
Living Lean could be a Substack : )
This article was the perfect timing for me. Thank you Zan. In my case, I always have a yearning to bounce around to new places. The reality is this isn't always an option. Embracing not moving around is the best and only way.
Glad to hear it came at a good time for you, Daniel - I have been in similar situations to you so I can completely empathise!
A nice article, Zan. I know for myself, my writing flows the best when I do the same boring routine each day. :)
Thanks Michael! I find the same thing to be true for me
A wise message, Zan.
Thanks Jeff, glad you enjoyed it!