What does a good life look like? It goes without saying that none of us want to feel bad, but what I mean is, what sort of things would you need to have in order to feel as if you had a life worth living? Ive been thinking about these things all week long.
I believe I lived rather hedonistically, and I used to think that chasing after simple pleasures like drunkenness or sex was best. Its left me feeling empty though.
I think I want to explore. Go see mountains, places Ive never been. I want to love, and be loved. I want a good friend.
We judge people for “being behind” in various areas, but the older I get, the more it seems like all that stuff doesnt really matter much anyway.
What do I want out of life? Hmm….
3 comments
Good question, a lot harder than we might think. I used to have a good life, not just financially well off but actually having a purpose and direction. Like you said, hedonism alone won’t cut it. That’s like saying drugs & alcohol can keep you happy forever. Yeah no, that empty feeling always bites you.
New experiences is something that’s consistently touted in psychology texts and studies on longevity. Exercise your brain and you’ll be happier & live longer–and I believe it. What you mentioned, seeing mountains, places & people you’ve never known, that falls into the category of new experiences. And anyone who’s stood in front of a mountain for the first time will agree there’s a feeling of childish wonder that sweeps over you.
I imagine if you could feel that every day, it would be a pretty damn good life.
My own good life was something similar. I didn’t have a ton of money but I had enough for cheap airfare and the adventurous spirit to wing it on a student’s budget. Holy shit it was a good life. And like you said, the key was simplicity. To hell with 5 star hotels, I spend a few nights in bus terminals in exotic locations and those were some of the best times of my life.
That won’t be happening again, for reasons I won’t hijack your thread babbling about. But if not for these shitty reasons blocking me, a good life isn’t as impossible or expensive as it would seem. You just need to have the freedom to pack up & go. Hell, an Amtrak 30 day rail pass only costs $500 bucks (sometimes goes on sale for $300) and you can find plenty of mountains in North America, maybe even meet some cool people.
Thank you for your response D2d, I think you may be right! Maybe getting out some is what I need. Spending a night in a bus terminal is an experience we actually share–sleeping in those plastic seats leave you so sore!
And btw, in a place like this, im at peace with it if people want to express themselves. Youre not hijacking my post–Id rather that someone gets something heavy off their chest than to keep the weight for the sake of being polite. No. In this place, you may speak as you truly desire, as you truly need to. Thats what Id like for you, for each of you. Freedom to say what you need. Fuck my post–you are far more important!
Haha you give me too much value Pw, but I’ll take it!
So you’ve also experienced those butt breaking plastic seats lol. Scientifically engineered to be uncomfortable in any position. But you gotta admit there’s a certain charm to the experience. I guess it’s one of those hardships of survival like camping in a soggy forest that’s fun to say you did it.
Makes me wonder if the pain of life will ever feel that way. Sucks in the moment, but when it’s all over maybe the experience will justify everything.
Yup getting out is the key, I’m convinced. Are you stuck in a dead end town like I am? I’m chained here til I die, due to bs that’s way beyond my ability to fix, unless I can come discover a chunk of money so I can hire some help. And that’s the short of it. Even if someone gave me a free ticket to Fiji I wouldn’t be able to take it because I’m neck deep in responsibilities. I guess that’s the way life works. The older you get (and I’m not even that old for chrissake) the more you get chained down, unless you have money to buy your freedom.
But for sure, if I could hire someone to take over then I’d be on the next bus or train outta here. It would actually be a relief to feel those plastic seats if I knew I was hundreds of miles away from this place.