4/ Life as it is
Our lives
“We have arrived at a juncture between two very different historical eras, and uncertainty about the future makes everything on the ground confusing and traumatic.”
Many people experience exhaustion because of economic concerns, polarization, politics, and climate change. They begin to focus on what they can control in everyday life, to define their values to decide how they fill in their time, provide value, help others and grow.
Tomorrow will no longer bring a higher standard of living, and young people are not optimistic: in a recent survey of 16- to 25-year-olds in ten countries, more than half said that “humanity was doomed” from climate change. The majority of young people today feel anxious about what the future will look like and are forced to grow up too quickly.
The constant bombardment of information and distractions from technology and social media do not make life easier. People are becoming accustomed to instant gratification and have less tolerance for delays or waiting, their patience and attention span have become shorter, and they feel pressed for time.
People are seeking greater control in their lives as a reaction to the chaos and uncertainty they experienced in recent years. If you do not take control, you will be forced to comply and do things as expected by society.
Banner image: "Citron et verre" by Thierry Genay
1/ Complexity and Simplicity
Living in a Changing World
Reducing complexity and the amount of choice we have can positively impact our mental state. Simplicity helps to focus on what is important and makes it easier to deal with challenging situations. Layers of complexity will always be there, but recognition of where to apply greater simplicity can make the more difficult things easier to deal with when it happens. It is important to find a balance between simplicity and not oversimplifying things.
Incorporating simplicity into all aspects of our lives, including physical, mental, spiritual, social, emotional, and financial well-being, can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Reflecting on our current life and considering where there are opportunities for simplification can help achieve this.
Simplicity is not the same as minimalism; minimalism is more about the external environment, whereas simplicity is about incorporating greater clarity into life to improve mental health and well-being. Reflection is needed to define the main priorities in life. Focusing on those priorities is focusing on what matters, letting go and saying “no” more often, both externally and internally. If something is bothering you, ask yourself whether it will matter in one month and if not, let it go right now.
We should also embrace friction. Philosophers have commented on the importance of friction in creating “texture” in our lives. This texture heightens our awareness of individual moments. Smooth moments pass by with ease and are forgotten, textured moments are remembered.
Why this matters
Much of life is complex and ever-changing, and focusing on making the things within your control as simple as possible can improve overall well-being.
Stress in America report/ APA report
Headline issues, from immigration to sexual assault, are causing significant stress among members of Generation Z (those between ages 15 and 210 with mass shootings topping the list of stressful current events. Read more here
Seated Woman/ Painting by Charles Laib Bitton
Charles Laib Bitton’s paintings capture intimate moments shared with friends and family. Addressing themes of melancholia and beauty, his subjects are caught in contemplative moments, often exposing their inner thoughts and feelings to the viewer. See more here
Sink into a bog/ Camila Marambio
The Chilean Pavilion of the Biennale in Venice brought a little bit of the peat bogs of Patagonia to Venice. The first thing that hits you in this multisensory installation is the smell of wet moss and soil. See more here
2/ Precious Time
Optimizing Existence
Time is our most precious asset; it is all we have and something we will not get back. People start to prioritize the value of their time; they seek to cut out the unnecessary and direct their efforts towards valuable ways to spend time. The mentality of ‘life is short’ will drive individuals to create a life plan that prioritizes the use of their time in a meaningful way rather than wasting it on meaningless pursuits.
People want to have ownership over their experiences, digitally and physically. The constant distraction of social media and freedom from the algorithm has become a topic of concern and continuously growing conversation. Algorithms shape all the content we passively engage in, giving users less control over their time and the content they consume online.
How to not be shaped by the algorithm and be in contact with your inner world and thoughts? Users dismantle trends with counter-trends or manipulate the passivity of the algorithm. The dangers of the algorithm can lead to further political and class polarity and stagnating societal diversity.
New hedonism is taking control of time and being intentional about using it. Life can be optimized through consistent effort and setting intentions to progress. Progress is made by prioritizing the process and striving to get 1% better daily. Accountability and consistency matter in maintaining routines and achieving progress. Rest is a core part of our daily systems, and a transformative level of boredom can be life-changing. Boredom can lead us to re-evaluate our lives, resulting in new hobbies, the pursuit of more fulfilling employment and learning new abilities.
Why this matters
Valuing time as the most precious resource and using it to shape our lives in a meaningful way. Limits are set to focus on what truly matters, leading to clear life choices.
Four Thousand Weeks/ Oliver Burkeman
The average human lifespan is absurdly brief. Assuming you live to be eighty, you have just over four thousand weeks. Four Thousand Weeks introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing finitude. Read more here
The Nap Ministry/ Tricia Hersey
The Nap Ministry is an organization that examines the liberating power of naps. The practice facilitates immersive workshops and curates performance art that examines rest as a radical tool for community healing. We believe rest is a form of resistance.
Read more here
Rules for Living/ Dr Pratima Raichur
Life shouldn’t be a struggle, but many people feel pulled in so many different directions that stress seems to be ubiquitous. Advice by Dr Pratima Raichur for people struggling to live a more balanced life. Read more here
3/ Reframing Age
The Age Code
With awareness of time and the importance of a fulfilling life also comes awareness of stages of life with stages such as childhood, adulthood and old age. Gains and losses are considered normal aspects of human growth and ageing. Key life events, including having a child, losing a parent, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, serve as indicators of development and shape the human experience. Life events determine how older people feel.
There is a paradigm shift in international thinking about ageing and health. Improving how we age and putting the quality of life of ageing individuals central can improve the lives of many. Positive factors related to healthcare and wealth result in a future of longevity. By 2030 women in South Korea will have a life expectancy of 90, and in Africa, life expectancy will be 64; 12 per cent of the world population will be over 65, up from about 8 per cent today. (ESPAS)
People’s attitudes and views of ageing have an essential impact on their health. Experiences of positive purpose and activity make a big difference in the long-term quality of life. Ageing is part of life and should not be seen as a negative experience.
As the millennial generation ages, they are likely to want to age differently than previous generations. They are the first generation not to become more conservative as they age, and they are likely to continue to want to play an active and visible role in society. In the diverse multigenerational communities of the future, they will seek a quality of life based on freedom, equality and connection.
Why this matters
A vision of the future for a new ageing population.
Role Model/ Iris Apfel
No matter how many years have passed by, age is simply a number for this inspiring woman who continues to highlight her charming personality through everything she takes part in.
Role Model/ Chef Babette
The extremely fit, charismatic and youthful 72-year-old vegan, Chef Babette, is an accomplished raw food and vegan chef, actress, motivational speaker and vegan restaurant owner. See more here
Oude Dijk Apartments/ Shift Architecture Urbanism
Shift has extended the Oude Dijk monastery in Tilburg, The Netherlands for elderly housing in a monumental monastery complex. Read more here
4/ A Life Lived Well
Life Centered Living
Social connections are essential to our overall well-being; love is as important to us as food, water and health. Happiness is in each other, and connections, good friendships and relationships matter in a way that they should be cherished. We must look carefully at other people and acknowledge and appreciate their existence. Technologies can be used to strengthen those connections instead of isolating ourselves.
Human life, in general, should be given more appreciation by considering what it means to live a life well lived and prioritizing it. We rush through life only to look back on the good old days with nostalgia. Slowing down brings awareness. Enjoying the real things in life, the laughter, ugly faces and sincere smiles.
Many things that make life worth living are processes and activities, not possessions. When people’s priorities shift away from consumption, they will focus more on other areas of life, such as personal relationships, community involvement, health and well being, and personal growth and development.
Pleasure is just as much a part of life as pain and sorrow. Bring out the fine China and silver cutlery every once in a while and drink the good wine for no reason, dance at a party till your feet hurt, plan that trip, and dance in the rain when you feel like it. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to enjoy it; laugh loudly and unapologetically whenever you feel like it. Celebrate life as it is, with all its ups and downs.
Why this matters
Striving for an elevated, fulfilling life changes priorities.
Louis Vuitton™️ the Letter Suit/ Colm Dillane
Designers at LV Studio from Japan, Korea, Estonia, Italy, Netherlands were asked to write love letters back home and anonymously drop the letters in a box. The letters were embroidered into the fabric and stitched into a suit that represents the collaborative sharing of personal experiences created by hand and time. See more here
Public Library/ Phoebe Lovatt
Phoebe Lovatt’s Public Library is a physical and digital space dedicated to sharing mind-expanding books and ideas. The library offers a slow-down experience of holding a book as a vital antidote from constantly being on a screen. See more here
“Ik draag rouw in mij”/ De vormforensen en Hul le Kes Recovery studio
Embroidery work that makes death and loss visible. During the embroidering, the person in question can mentally process the loss and share it with others. When the garment is finished it can be worn and make the loss visible and can be shared with others. See more here
Further reading
Life is hard/ Kieran Setiya
There is no cure for the human condition: life is hard. But Kieran Setiya believes philosophy can help navigate rough terrain, from personal trauma to the injustice and absurdity of the world.
Life is simple/ Johnjoe McFadden
A biologist argues that simplicity is the guiding principle of the universe, transforming our understanding of ourselves and our world.
Behind Their Screens/ Emily Weinstein and Carrie James
Harvard researchers Dr Carrie James and Dr Emily Weinstein have spent their careers studying teens' use of technology. The authors explore the complex digital universe that teens inhabit and the often misguided efforts of adults to intervene.
Breaking the Age code/ Dr Becca Levy
Dr Levy draws on her research to show how age beliefs can be improved so they benefit all aspects of the ageing process, including the way genes operate and the extension of life expectancy by 7.5 years.