The lower the minimum you need to live, the quicker you can meet it, and the easier it becomes to say NO to soul destroying work. But, this is true only if you value such freedom. The freedom to explore what inspires you. Beware the circularity of being employed just to pay for an expensive lifestyle. 

Denial 

The problem is that many are in denial about the reality of their circumstances. Being stuck with an expensive lifestyle is very real, yet how many are willing to acknowledge it? Humans have a tremendous ability to rationalise their choices – remember the fox and the sour grapes?  

What’s more, the lifestyle is often not even one that the person very deliberately chose. It most likely grew overtime through many non-conscious choices. And, the more expensive the lifestyle, the more likely that you were suckered into some commoditised idea of the good life. Some idea peddled to you so that a few lifestyle brands could increase their sales. 

Look. The point is not to avoid ‘luxury’. That is a silly oversimplification. The point is to notice when you are stuck in the circularity of being employed just to go on paying for things you don’t really need! A lifestyle that you believe you need, because you never stopped to really think about it. So, it has become a habit. 

Beyond the circularity of being employed 

The first step to breaking free is noticing the predicament. Really looking at your life and asking to what extent the circularity is at play. From such a place of seeing, you can then ask yourself what truly matters to you.  

Are the status and comfort of your lifestyle worth the pain of soul-destroying work, or are you willing to make some changes because you value the freedom of being able to live on your terms? There will be trade-offs and you will have to make tough decisions, because remember, freedom is never free. 

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Harsha is a 1:1 coach and independent thinker based in London. He empowers people to find more clarity, confidence and focus in their lives — to cut through the noise, in a world so full of it. Harsha’s new book, Machine Ego: Tragedy of the Modern Mind, is now available in paperback and Kindle through Amazon.