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New to the TL Blog section, but I think I’m in the right place.
Which things actually matter?
99% of my enjoyment comes from 1% of my things:
My computer (Internet, music, DVD player, SC2 and Word)
My iPod and expanding electronic music collection
My piano and a couple of folders of sheet music
Other things in my life totally worth their investment:
My wardrobe, which I’m working hard to improve
My gym membership
My car
My education (working on it)
Learning a second language (Mandarin Chinese)
Learning to cook
Internet, music (playing or listening), being presentable, being healthy, local freedom to travel, ability to provide for myself, are all pieces of my life that I do not anticipate will stop being significant for at least several decades and probably the rest of my life.
However, the rest of my stuff is basically just taking up space:
Books and DVDs are good, but realistically I’m only going to read/watch them once, then they’re pretty much worthless
Half-used notepads and paper
Various other assorted items and trinkets
Not really a fan of photo albums either. Plenty of people I know never seem to be enjoying the moment for what it is, constantly obsessed with trying to record it for later. A small selection of photos can be stored digitally for the space of a couple of electrons, but even they don’t feel that essential.
I’d love to hear from the TL community (often an insightful bunch) on what investments of time/energy/money in skills/hobbies/things you have made in your life that have paid for themselves thousands of times over and stayed with you for years and years. What isn’t just sitting around in your life collecting dust?
Everything else I’m going to get rid of.
EDIT: Whoa, to be clear when I say 99% of my enjoyment I mean of the time I spend at home. I have a ton of friends and regularly go out, I'm not one of those constantly broody playing piano loner types. I assumed that was taken for granted, the discussion I was hoping to prompt is less about friendships and relationships which do obviously matter, but more about other stuff.
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I've built a handmade bomb once
The only thing that hasn't stayed with me is my hand
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Yea...just the computer T___T
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Computer? Ipod? Piano? Well... these are all things that matter most in a no-life.
I've been there, done that. I remember the day so many years ago when I finished Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Baal. The feeling was so intense and heartbreaking at the same time. It just kept coming back to me. "Is it as good as it gets?" - I wondered.
Now I know the answer - thank God, it's a "no".
Yeah, I still have a pretty nice PC, a couple of guitars and a ton of music I like. But these are not the things that make life good. I consider them more of a spice. It's so much better to have a good base to go along a nice set of spices 
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I hate people that try to shove down other people's throats what they believe to be "life" and how they believe others should live. If it makes me happy, it makes me happy. It's my life god damn it. Just do whatever makes you happy. Playing 5 hours of brood war a day made me happy a few years back and do I regret it now? Hell no! I had no social life, no girlfriend, but I was happy.
Being social is indeed part of life, but should it really take up the majority of your time like some people think? That's only for you to decide. It's not like drinking a few hours and chatting with friends is any more productive than playing some piano, it's actually less productive and none of it makes any impact any way on the world, the only one affected is you (unless you get famous, then it did have an effect, and that's another minus for staying with friends, as you won't get anywhere)
Playing the piano (which is freaking awesome dude and I respect you for that), surfing the web and listening to music aren't bad things, they don't make you a no-lifer and if you're happy stay jhust are you are, you're perfect.
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for me its my volleyball, my volleyball net, my computer, my math-books, my backpack, my clothes, my other books, actually pretty much everything I own :D
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On June 07 2012 20:30 scypio wrote:
Piano? Well... these are all things that matter most in a no-life.
What is wrong with you?
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On June 07 2012 22:22 Iranon wrote:Show nested quote +On June 07 2012 20:30 scypio wrote:
Piano? Well... these are all things that matter most in a no-life. What is wrong with you?
I don't know, is there anything? I was enjoying my no-life for quite a while, buried alive behind a wall of games and a ton of dark-themed songs... I was enjoying it up to the point when I stated to ask some questions, just like OP.
I chose to transition away from my no-life. It was probably the best decision I have made in my life.. Now it's just a story that can be placed in a blog.
If you feel that you need to dig deeper - it's fine with me. I chose otherwise and I would encourage to do so anyone who wants to listen. Encourage, not force! Is there really something wrong with that? I haven't noticed any "back-patting only" signs in this thread, sorry!
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Which things actually matter?
The really intriguing question is "What does 'matter' mean?" In the sense that you use it, it means "of genuine importance." But then, does the fact that you enjoy something necessitate it's genuine importance? Or does something's genuine importance, and your knowledge of it lead, inevitably, to your enjoying it.
Great post, by the way! At first, I found it hard to think of something that I have invested in, which is genuinely important. I'd say, my wife and I's friendship. Biggest and most long-term investment ever, but so worth it.
Hopefully, someday, kids too.
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The problem is you're focusing on the things in life that don't really matter. When I was a kid I had hopes and dreams. We all did. But over time, the daily grind gets in the way and you miss the things that really matter, even though they are right in front of you, staring you in the face. I think the next time you should ask yourself "Am I on the right track here?". I don't mean to be rude but people like you I really pity. So maybe you could use the few brain cells you have and take advantage of the knowledge I have given you now. Good luck.
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your list of things that matter sounds like a list of things that boosts your ego.
and subjective matter are things that you're aware of and have a clear understanding of. such as a relationship,mathematics, and books.
where as objective matter are things experienced by the senses.
your brief definition of matter, in general, sounds too off tangent. just wanted to clear that up
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On June 08 2012 15:21 Revolt wrote:
your list of things that matter sounds like a list of things that boosts your ego.
and subjective matter are things that you're aware of and have a clear understanding of. such as a relationship,mathematics, and books.
where as objective matter are things experienced by the senses.
your brief definition of matter, in general, sounds too off tangent. just wanted to clear that up
You basically just said/added nothing, except your equivocation on the idea of "matter." The OP is using the word in the sense of something "mattering" i.e. "being of genuine importance." Not in the sense of physical substance; the way in which you seem to think he is using the word.
In any case, what you said about subjective and objective matter makes no sense whatsoever. It just doesn't. Mathematics isn't matter, neither are relationships. =/
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Edited the OP so its clear that I'm not a complete loner that finds the only meaning in life with my iPod hahahah....
Less interested in the importance of friends and relationships, they're obviously of critical importance to anyone, but more the hobbies, interests and the materials that enable them that you can take with you even when travelling/moving around the world, where you might have to pick up some new friends as you can't always take them with you!!
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EPT
