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I think by resisting algorithms, e.g., moving to decentralized platforms, browsing the "small web", avoiding large social media, and being intentional with one's internet usage, one isn't fed as much ragebait and negativity. I really think this should contribute to one's peace of mind and in turn, make ones life a bit simpler. Often I see the discussions revolve around disconnecting from the web partly or completely, which might be good as well if one feels the want to, but which I don't think is a necessary component of simple living.

Never considered myself religious and during my younger years even dabbled in Atheism as a developing mind is inclined to do in questioning the beliefs they were brought up with.

However, recently I've been exploring philosophy as guidance and found the ideas behind Zen, Buddhism, Stoicism, and others expressed by the likes of Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Marcus Aurelius, and Miyamoto Musashi.

Just curious if anyone relates and if there's an encompassing term for these similar philosophies and individuals aforementioned. Not sure if this the the appropriate forum but I have some free time and wanted to engage in some conversation :)

Cross-posted from "Enjoy the Silence: Your life is not a movie, so stop soundtracking it 24/7" by @[email protected] in [email protected]

The composer John Cage told us to “not discriminate against sounds.”

He challenged us to become interested in what we usually perceive as noise and incorporated it into his compositions. Actually he said that the main difference between experimental and non-experimental music is the inclusion of noise.

Cage didn’t own a smartphone. He didn’t constantly stream music.

In the age of WiFi and Bluetooth speakers, we seem to believe that every activity in life needs an idealized, artificial soundtrack, whether it’s working or unwinding, running or relaxing.

Tech corporations have instilled and nurtured that belief in us. Their aim is to “maximize engagement”. The longer we listen, the more indispensable they become – and the more profit they make.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26745393

In our eternal quest to declutter our life we found an approach that seems to work better than "does it spark joy?".

"Would I take it with me if I were to move to a 1 room apartment?"

Personally, I like the library

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/39514444

You know, before work and everything starts again... sometimes I feel like I'm obsessed with min-maxing my weekend because of the limited time I have. So I usually feel quite guilty if I end up slacking too much. And I tend to be quite aware of how much time I have left. Anyone else that has this issue?

Just noticed that post on our Simple Living cousin from Reddit and I was wondering if that was even an option to most of us?

Alas, the OP doesn’t share much context on why and how they did it, how they manage their daily activities without using any email.

I know I could not.

I mean, I can live without social networks (the only one I use being Lemmy, it was reddit before that) but I could not not use email.

I would even go as far as to say that removing email from my toolbox would make my life a more complicated and for what gain?

The OP mention not receiving spam. I don’t see much spam, simply because I use a spam filter. They also mention having better conversations than through email. Sure, I can understand that. But I can also have both without any issue. I never discussed much through email—save maybe in the early 90s, when I started really using email and quickly quit using sna

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/54337061

So, I'm just sitting here, under this covered patio. It's raining. And I just had a little Zen-like moment of appreciation for simplicity and wanted to share.

I live in a normally arid grassland at the base of a mountain range. This large rain storm just rolled in over the hills. I'm sitting on an old, semi-fancy, vintage couch that my ex left here but has since been turned into the outdoor seating. On either side of me, I have my large racks of this winter's worth of firewood (made with old pallets and scrap wood) and they're set up intentionally to block the wind while sitting out here.

Listening to the pitter patter of the raindrops and watching these thick clouds creep up and over the hills. The periodic wafts of smoke from my wood burning stove washing over. The daylight dimming quickly tho there's no sun to be seen thru these clouds. The beer in my hand might be one of the best I've had, not because of the quality of it, but because it's here, right now, in thi

How does this influence your simple life?