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0 pointsintull1y ago0 comments

I think OP's title itself answers the question — they're wealthy, and most if not all things that he could really want in the world is a transaction away. "Constraints" are key to finding purpose and direction. There can be a right/optimal set of constraints, but when there seems to be none, any is better. Constraints forbid us from being able to have something in life (things or experiences) that we also want. When we can satisfy any want, it doesn't feel like the wants matter anymore. The very reason the want existed in the first place was because it was not something that was possible at the time.

I'd advise OP to strategize smartly, given they have enough money to last a simple and full life, save, invest, donate, and keep the transactions small; ie. not investing or donating all or a majority of wealth into one thing, instead of a little bit here and a little bit there, every now and then, gradually and slowly.

Taking it slower itself is a form of constraint. And together with keeping relationships and connections, minimizing the noise in life, and making it simpler towards enjoying the truer pleasures of their life, they can grow richer and live more luxuriously, not just in terms of wealth, but also in a safer, more secure and a cozier human experience.

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rramadass1y ago

Well said.

> "Constraints" are key to finding purpose and direction.

I would modify this as "externally imposed constraints w.r.t. socially validated goals". I had come to this conclusion long ago based on my study of philosophy and my own life situation. I had to give up a software career to become a caregiver; my needs and wants being few and frugal with no dependents i found myself in a situation where i had a place stay, clothes to wear and enough food to eat and no "goal" in life i.e. freedom. That was when i realized that every goal had been imposed from outside and i had simply followed a socially validated path taking it as my own. Breaking out of this cycle means you are suddenly in a situation where you have to define your own goal from a large options menu with no constraints pushing you one way or another. This is when a feeling of "emptiness" dawns on you i.e. everything feels unnecessary/empty/worthless without social validation. Note that it has nothing to do with the amount of wealth you have but having enough for oneself based on how you choose to live.

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is very relevant here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_movement

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