I always have had this dichotomy. First off, I have moderate ADHD (don’t we all on Lemmy, ha!) And am a maximalist, meaning I like stuff. Having stuff that does something (video games, PCs, TVs, cars, motorcycles, audio gear etc) or enables me to do things (tools, climbing gear, cheese press, etc). I’m maybe a mild hoarder, but to be fair if I have something collecting dust I give it away or sell it to someone who can enjoy it. I don’t keep garbage (don’t all hoarders say this? Oh boy…)

If its not obvious, I do a ton of shit. I often look at it as, “well, life is finite so I’m going to do all I possibly can before I’m not able to/the world ends”.

The issue is twofold. One is, guilt. “Do I really need this stuff? Do I need another video game? Do I need to plan for another shed for garden items or is what i have just fine?”

Secondly, it makes it hard to relax. Sure, I can chill and sit and read and listen to music sometimes, but I’m always thinking, life is draining away, everything is getting worse and more expensive, I really should be finishing projects and getting stuff done before something bad happens"

Then you see all those psycho linked in folk who are always talking about bettering yourself and getting up at 5 am every day to go for a run. That’s not me. But then i wonder if I’m not living up to my potential.

If this sounds like a first world problem, it is. I’m very spoiled. I work 65 hours a week but its a fine job. A little boring (maybe thats why i feel underutilized, my brain likes to go full speed) but I’m not in the mines or anything. I know MANY others have it far far worse.

  • Hanrahan@slrpnk.net
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    5 days ago

    Polymath Bertrand Russel, 1932…

    https://harpers.org/archive/1932/10/in-praise-of-idleness/

    Like most of my generation, I was brought up on the saying “Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.” Being a highly virtuous child, I believed all that I was told and acquired a conscience which has kept me working hard down to the present moment. But although my conscience has controlled my actions, my opinions have undergone a revolution. I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached.

    https://files.libcom.org/files/Bertrand Russell - In Praise of Idleness.pdf