Disciplined Hedonism

Tropical beaches.  Riotous Asian cities boiling with energy. Fiery spicy food.  Massages 4 days a week.

Voluntary Simplicity has it’s benefits!

Unfortunately, when most people hear the phrase “voluntary simplicity”- they think of hardship….   they imagine eating instant ramen noodles and living a boring hard life.

But that’s exactly the opposite of the Hobopoet Way.  Voluntary Simplicity is a means– a means to greater security, greater enjoyment, greater freedom, greater opportunity.

My good friend Chris has another term for it– he calls it “Disciplined Hedonism”… and that, I think, captures the spirit of it.   We are disciplined in order to enjoy a great deal of hedonistic pleasure in our lives (whatever that means to you).

In fact, what led me to adopt a very simple life were some questions.  I asked myself:

What really gives my life passion, happiness, excitement, and meaning?

Given a certain amount of money, what is the best way to use it to maximize the excitement, passion, happiness, learning, and meaning in my life?

After asking myself these questions for many years– I came to some obvious conclusions.  I concluded that while a big opulent house might be “nice”, I’d much rather spend that 100,000 dollars (or, in SF, $600.000) on travel, seminars, books, gifts, coaching programs, journeys, adventures, etc…

I also realized that 10,000 in savings, for example, gave me a much better feeling (of comfort, security) than 10,000 worth of gadgets and furniture.

I realized that I needed to evaluate my economic choices based on the longterm emotional, mental, and spiritual impact they would have on me.    That evaluation led to a radically more simple life (in terms of material possessions), a radically more hedonistic life (in terms of experiences), and a radically more social life.

The problem with most people is that they are trying to buy their happiness with things.   But happiness grows out of experiences and connections.   We grow and learn from experiences, not from things.  We grow and learn from people, not from things.

Longterm, we are most thrilled and excited by new experiences and new people.. not by new things.  We are most stimulated by experiences and people.. not things.

When you buy a new thing, you feel interest and excitement for a day… MAYBE a week.   But the memories of a great experience last years.  Learning experiences last a lifetime.  Friends can last forever.

These aren’t just platitudes–  they are basic psychological truths.

So doesn’t it make sense to develop a personal economic plan that is designed for maximum happiness, learning, excitement, passion, and growth?

If these were your guiding principles, how would you spend (or invest) your money differently?  How would you alter your work schedule and habits?

Ask these questions repeatedly, every day.  Record your answers in a journal, repeatedly and daily.

See what answers come to you.

(Warning– this simple exercise could totally change your life).