How To Become Free
Stop being afraid
Having things doesn’t make you free. In fact, it might make you less fee.
“What matters isn’t what a person has or doesn’t have; it is what he or she is afraid of losing” (Taleb, 105)
If you’re scared to lose what you have, then what you have owns you.
Fear of Losing Our S*** in History
Last month, we read Sapiens, and we discussed the transition of humanity from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies. They were chasing freedom. if they didn’t need to spend so much time hunting, they could do as they please.
They suddenly had much more than their ancestors ever had. But with that, they became less free. Their population grew in line with the food supply and now they couldn’t afford to have a poor harvest. Every hour after childhood was spent ensuring good harvests. Being so dependent on what they had made them fearful of losing it and that took away their freedom.
How We Let Luxuries Take Away our Freedom
We do similar things today. We get more money, more stuff, or even better reputations, and instead of enjoying it, we just worry about losing it. And the problem is there are so many ways to lose it.
I could lose my reputation for saying my opinion if it doesn’t match the “socially correct” answer. I could lose all my money for attending a religious ceremony instead of my regular 9-5. I could lose my stuff if I don’t pay taxes that I believe are outrageous and mismanaged.
My fear of losing what I have makes me second guess all my decisions. It even makes me decide what parts of myself I share with the world and which parts I don’t. My fear makes me less free.
The Solution Is As Old As Time
Seneca had a solution for this fear. It’s a little dramatic but the idea is applicable to anyone. Seneca was a rich man, working as the Roman Emperor’s advisor. He would practice homelessness regularly. He would dress in drabs, live on the street and beg. He says he would finish the exercise, return home and think “is that what I was so afraid of?”. He did this to show himself he could survive with nothing. And that everything he has in his possession is extra. He should not live in fear of losing it.
Question of The Day
What are you most scared to lose? What would you do differently if you never had it to begin with?
Your Biggest Fan,
Noah “BigNerd” Sochaczevski
Yes!