[techapple]

I guess there’s two ways this post could have gone, and it went the way of “you know that sinking feeling that you’re not good enough, you’re right!”

I wrote a book last year for my family. Very few people outside my family will ever read it, but I wrote a book! I’m learning to be my best mediocre self and in so many ways I couldn’t be happier. In fact, thinking about my various personality traits, I think mediocrity is sort of my ideal state. I would probably be less happy/fulfilled if I was more successful.

I’m not sure what the world gets out of it, maybe it keeps you on Tik Tok watching hustle porn? But the ultimate modern counter-cultural fuck you to the system I think is to just be happy without worrying what the world cares about it. And then strive for incremental improvements rather than like dream about that one externally validated accomplishment that will make you happy.

[ayushpawar]

That’s an interesting take, and honestly, there’s a lot of truth to it. The idea that happiness doesn’t have to come from relentless striving is something we don’t hear enough. Finding peace in ‘being your best mediocre self’ is probably healthier than chasing some external validation that never really satisfies.

Also, I would love to read your book.

[jschveibinz]

Congrats. Life is a mystery. It sounds like you have found your best philosophy for dealing with this mystery.