Two Key Concepts for a Happier Life
There are two methods, or concepts, you can say that I’ve used for more than 15 years; I would say which arose from the way I grew up. As I was growing up with my father, and he did not have a drivings license, we always used buses, trains or asked friends if we could travel with them. In a way this set the mind for the first concept, at least it did for me. I was used to an extra effort to reach the places I needed to go. The concept of the Voluntary Hardship was implemente.
I never had a term for it until I stumbled upon the aforementioned in a podcast from Tim Ferriss.
Voluntary Hardship describes using a harder way when there is a simpler one. Sometimes there is an easier one, but you can’t access it, but to keep it simple; I also call these situations voluntary. It means using stairs instead of the elevator. It means using public transport instead of your car. I guess you know where I am going with this. The simple act of added effort brings joy in smaller endowments you will get along your life. It makes you appreciate the simple and let’s you find more joy in them. It does not mean, you should live a frugal live as it comes naturally. You are going to appreciate tiny things in day to day life. Unconsciously, your general happiness will increase, as your expectation what you need to be happy is less. Don’t get me wrong, it is not to confuse with living a poor life. Still, small comforts will have a larger impact on you.
For more than a decade I live now without car. Fair enough, I am in Europe, where usually public transport is available, but still, there is more effort. I buy often second hand articles and need to carry them from one home to the bus stop and to my place. IKEA boards, mirrors, small drawers and any kind of furniture you can think off. Did I sweat my cloths through? You bet. Did I swear from time to time and wished to have a car? You bet. Still, I appreciate the moment by far more than I would, if I would take the easy route. Obviously I do use cars from time to time and drop some of the extra effort, we all do, and that’s alright. Just don’t get lazy, which brings me to my second concept, which in fact is being lazy without being lazy.
Proactive Laziness. Again as before I was living this principle for a long time without giving it a name. Just through the book Atomic Habits by James Clear the baby got a name. I’ll give you a short example how it works. Some of you know the feeling when friends tell you “oh wow that’s a smart move” or “you really put a lot of effort in it”, and you think for yourself, “Oh boy, I am just lazy af.” For me this is the perfect defintion of proactive laziness. Back to the example. I was a flight attendant for around seven years and requested many overnight flights. Sure enough, working at night combined with time zones does take its toll on your body, so it might not be for everyone. With this proactive side, I knew that most of the people are going to sleep quicker, therefore eat and demand less, and the flight will be more relaxed and less work. Again, I am just lazy af, but with a twist.
The advantage of this system in general is the time you get back by tasks you do now to be lazy in hindsight. Not only to do you gain more time than you used in the first place, but you will feel more relaxed, since things are more in order, and you are going to have more control about your situation. You can easily adapt this concept to housework, cooking, taking care of your children, or any other task you will repeatedly face.
The good thing about these two concepts is the interweaving of both of them. Voluntary Hardship can be part of the Proactive Laziness. They both have their unique benefits, but combined are a useful method to live more relaxed and happy.
