I've lived for 35 years. Not very long.
I draw a lot of my life lessons from my own experiences, but I draw more information from other peoples' stories and experiences. To learn faster, it's better to learn from others, instead of making my own mistakes. 35 years enough enough time to experience enough stories to tell, not to mention I don't try many new things so, I don't have much personal stories to tell.
So, yes, I have to draw conclusions about what works and what doesn't work from other people's experiences.
Most of the time, these days, I don't care about what people do. As in it's their life, I don't try to advise them, unless they are my family, then I try to encourage them a bit.
But, I always listen to their stories and I think, "Does this work for me? Am I ok with it? What can I learn from it?"
I think it's my training since secondary school. Cos I used to do book reviews and literature, so it's necessary to think a bit more into things and actions, cos that's how we pass our exams.
And I brought it into my daily life. Forming analysis and conclusions of characters of people. Cos that's part of literature. Character studies/analysis.
If I write a story about someone else, it's going to be easily interpreted that I'm judging them or drawing a conclusion about their actions. And that's true. I am drawing a lesson from whatever they want to do. Even though, I don't try to influence their decision, unless it is a decision which would impact my life. That itself is judging a decision, even if I leave them to do what they want to do. I can "don't understand" the decision and let it go cos it just doesn't work for me, that IS considered judging an action.
So I came down to 3 solutions.
1) Don't write about other people's stories...
2) Write it in a politically correct manner such that there's no position or judging
3) F*** it
If you guys have been following my blog regularly, I think you might know some of my character.
I'm sure you'll know which decision I've come to.
Maybe it's the way I write. I usually seem to take a very strong position on something. And it's easily misunderstood as giving advice or influence someone's behaviour.
More often than not, I just wonder about a topic.
So I wonder a lot about why XYZ bought a new car. Does this new car bring him so much happiness? Am I missing out on something?
Or I wonder why AAA bought a $15,000 watch... And I don't understand it. Cos I think, $15,000, I can take 2 trips to the UK and I think I'd be happier with that.
Never have I once told a friend not to buy a car or watch.
Never have I commented about my sister's luxury bags and wallets.
I just think to myself... does it really bring so much happiness? Should I try it out as well? Maybe I'm missing out on something as well.
So I'd like to put it down really clearly...
I DON'T CARE WHAT OTHERS DO!!!
But I will still analyze the behaviour and take lessons and conclusions so that I can learn and reflect upon my own decisions.
I like to THINK about why people make certain decisions, or why they do not make certain decisions. I like to ponder about what makes people happy, are they truly happy or believe that they are happy? Are people happy due to following the norm? How much does marketing influence happiness?
Thinking about things allow me to learn and understand myself and why I make certain decisions.
Diamond rings are worthless and only through marketing is it worth something. And yet, a wife might not be happy without a ring. Is this happiness real? Who is to say that type of happiness isn't real?
And when I type, my mind and fingers move at a certain tempo. Having to think out nice pretty politically right sentences will take out the fun of writing and lead me down my previous path, when typing was a chore.
And as I think about it, most of the time, I type what I think. As in, it's usually a reflection of my mental process. So what comes out is pretty much what I tell myself. Of course when it comes out as a post, it sounds like I'm telling YOU, the readers, so it could also be really easily interpreted as "Why are you telling me what to do."
This was never the intention.
But I do realize now, that's why typing and posting became easier, cos I never bothered to craft the posts in a nicer way. Cos I write very much in a first person point of view.
Nope, I'm still not going to change my style of writing, else I'd probably stop posting within 2 weeks.
So I'd like to put it down very clearly again.
You can do whatever you want to do. As long as it makes you happy.
I'm not trying to influence people to be frugal or spend less.
If you like a post and feel that there's something you can take away from it, I'm glad you found something useful.
Even if you read this for entertainment, I'm glad you found it entertaining.
If you don't like a post cos it goes against your values, that's fine as well.
I'm not expecting everyone to agree upon my own set of values.
I like constructive open minded comments, but please make sure you understand what this blog stands for first.
I'll put out some values that this blog represents, freedom, freedom of choice, freedom to be happy in your own way, freedom to go against the norms of society, encouragement for people who go against the norms, open mindedness to different perspectives and strange ways to look at different topics and other stuff which I have not thought of yet.
If you think that your way is the best way of living, then this blog might not be for you.
Cos there is NO SINGLE best way of living. No one can say that a frugal way is better than a luxurious lifestyle or vice versa.
I can only say that I would prefer to live this way. That's all.
And yes, many times, I don't understand why many other people spend so much and always complain that they don't have enough money, or continue to work in jobs that they don't like, but that's their choice, I always ponder and analyze why they don't make changes if they aren't satisfied with their own decisions.
I usually write what I think, meaning my posts will likely come out as a first person's perspective. If I sound like I'm telling you what to do, it's cos that's what I'm telling myself what to do or what not to do. So just take it like I'm talking to myself.
And a final sentence to wrap this all up...
Keep the best, dump the rest.
If there's something to learn, keep it, if it's not in line with your values, dump it.
If you think that I've missed out certain perspectives, leave a constructive comment.
If you think that your way is the best way, please go away.
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