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Something on acceptance that has really stuck with me...

I was researching midlife crises (as I was going through one). And the famous U-shaped curve study* concludes:

1. 20s - we're happy because life is still in front of us. Even if our lives suck, our dreams are still intact.

2. 30s - shit starts to get real, building a career and family, but we still have so much time left.

3. 40s - shit hits the fan, happiness hits rock bottom ~47, as the crunch of life coincides with the realization we'll never achieve our dreams

4. 50s+ - happiness rebounds as (drum rolls)... we accept our life as it is.

We don't really change anything. We just accept it! That acceptance is ultimately what brings us happiness.

*The happiness data has changed recently as cellphones/social media has now made our teens the worst decade. 🥺

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Ah! Very happy to have received and read BQE today. The quote from Venkatesh Rao is going to stay with me for awhile. One of my favorite posts you've written.

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Ah, thank you! Means a lot

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The appeal of "quitting" has been grabbing onto the truism that "the company" doesn't really care about you so really caring about it is a sucker's game. Yes, do well. Yes, enjoy the work or colleagues or challenge or whatever. But never for a moment forget that the Bobs can show up anytime and pull the plug on your supposed comfort and safety. An attitude of quitting, whether you do quit or not, keeps the psychological balance of power on your side.

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Yes! It’s keeping a healthy distance and a sense that you could live a life outside of this context if you wanted or needed to. And I think that’s a good attitude to cultivate toward anything. Alan Watts liked to call it “playing the game, but playing it cool.”

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