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Actually I started living pretty much like this after my startup sold four years ago. I saw a dramatic increase in my happiness and life satisfaction. All my friends back home complain about how everyone seems so increasingly unhappy. Karen as I understand her is a prototypical suburban soccer mom. By definition she couldn't be bohemian. I'm not sure quite what is being said here.



> Actually I started living pretty much like this after my startup sold four years ago. I saw a dramatic increase in my happiness and life satisfaction.

Wow, all that's holding back my life satisfaction is a major windfall! Thanks for the useful tip.


Make more money or spend less.

I spend around $380 a month for rent and I know a bunch of people in shared flats who spend even less.

Also, money can often (sadly not always) substituted with good ideas, time, or good social connections.


It was not really a silicon valley startup. I would have made 4x more at a cushy corporate gig over that time. But it was a good adventure. After, I realized that instead of paying $6000 a month for living expenses, I could restructure my life and pay just $1000. So I sold everything and left. The stress disappeared and the freedom to do what I want each day is great.


It sounds like the biggest thing holding you back is attachment to negative thinking patterns and self-defeatism, no offense.


My understanding of forgetpw17s lifestyle doesn't involve a lot of ownership or funds.


You're lucky to at least have an understanding. I'm still not sure how he manages this one:

> Refuse to fill out paperwork of any kind.

I'm joking, of course. I know he doesn't actually follow most of the list. More of a wishlist probably.


That's what I mean though, even as a wishlist you'd just come across as entitled.

The kind of person who thinks rules don't apply to them because they're 'free' but they're just blissfully inconsiderate of others.

"Don't walk on the grass." "I will quietly ignore this rule, because ME ME ME, freedom!" - Later, the groundskeeper: "I have to roll out new sod everywhere those people were stepping..."

Or can you imagine being a bank teller and trying to help this person? "Sir, I need a signature." "I don't like, DO signatures." "...Sir?" "It's like, freedom, man." "...but to execute your request..." "Get me someone else who will bend the rules for me and my freedom!"


I don’t know op, but if they don’t do paperwork, maybe it means just that. They wont use a bank due to requirements that violate their code. People can and do live without using a bank. Maybe they have a loose definition of paperwork that allows for a checking account.

Instead of using your base assumptions and ruling out what they said, ask probing questions to validate your understanding. At the end, you may just come to the same conclusion as before (but this time with data!) or you may learn something.

As for “the rules don’t apply to me,” there are many rules that really don’t apply that many folks just assume to be required. It is ok to eat breakfast for dinner for a silly example.

I agree that rule breaking should not involve pissing in someone’s cookie jar, but if you are not inconveniencing others, it seems all fair game to me.


I am entitled. I,m entitled to make my own choices, just as you are entitled to make up stories about why something is impossible or does not agree with your fears or morals.


It's totally possible to be that inconsiderate of others.


what sounds inconsiderate, i,m curious?

i devote time daily to ponder how to be more considerate of others, so i,d like to know.


I think you might have missed my point on not arguing.


You,re free to know whatever you desire.


Everyone is eager to judge you, but I'm just curious. Why xo you think it made you happier?

I'm in a similar situation, and I'd say the main contributing factor to my happiness is not having to work 40 hours a week. Everything else is just sugar on top.


I still take contracts from time to time and do other work, even just because I find it interesting. I think it made me happier because, I'm free to follow things I like and enjoy.

Unlike the OP, I DO do paperwork though.




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