I wrote a post one time about a simple living organization that tries to scale back their lifestyles to something more manageable and…well…simple. I scoffed a bit, and now that I think about it….I’ve done exactly that, on accident.
I rent. I have no upkeep, no maintenance, no utilities to pay. I never cut the grass. The bushes do not need trimming and the gutters never clog.
I have clothes from high school. They don’t fit so well anymore….but I am still wearing them….except the underwear. I try to switch that out every once in a while just for the sake of it.
I have a 20 year old car that is paid for. I don’t maintain it really. I just patch it up enough to keep it getting me back and forth to work. People make fun of it, but I don’t really care.
I eat out every meal, so I don’t have to go to the grocery store. No food to spoil….less trash to take out. I never run out of milk or cereal. I don’t snack in between meals. I never wash the dishes.
I live 10 minutes from work. I send my work clothes to the cleaner to get ironed. All my bills are scheduled to pay automatically online each month.
Today I got the windshield wipers changed on my car and swept the room. That’s the most domestic frou frou I’ve done in a while.
People that are in “management” work longer hours, have more responsibility, and more stress. They also report greater satisfaction with their jobs and lives. I always sort of wondered about that. If they work longer and have more stress then why are they happier with it?
Well, my theory, which is largely backed up by research although I’ve never seen a study specifically on this, is that people enjoy responsibility….despite what they sometimes say. Nietzsche called it the Will to Power, and I don’t mean to be Machiavellian at all (nor did Nietzsche I think), but people enjoy positions where they are able make decisions….where they are able to make a difference…where they matter. It isn’t necessarily negative.
So I wonder would I be happier with my life if I had more stress and responsibility? I’m not sure. I guess the stress and responsibility would have to be in service of something that “made a difference”.
Hmm…I am adamant about learning the tendencies of “most” people since the world is full of them, but I am always careful not to throw myself into that group. The simple life sounds so nice.
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As someone that is in a “management” position, I can attest to having more responsibility and more stress, but I would not be one to say this gives me greater satisfaction with my job or my life. I know I would be happier had I not taken the promotion to supervisor, but I also know that I’m not “most” people. I just don’t get any fulfillment out of the additional responsibilities, in fact, they suck any fulfillment I might have gotten right down the drain. (Aren’t I a ray of sunshine this morning?!) So anyway, I say relish your simple lifestyle while you can! For people like me that are selling their soul to “the man”. 🙂
Tracey,
The way Jeffrey describes your work environment…I’d say there may not be a lot of good jobs in that office at all….management or otherwise.
-E
Sounds like you have it made.
No responsibilities – assest or liabilities.
Enjoy it while you can.