beware the lifestyle creep

Lifestyle creep is a silent killer. It slowly boils up until one day you can’t imagine a world where you make less money than you currently do. The habits of consumption are so deeply ingrained you can feel stuck, and unable to change.

One practice that can be useful, borrowed from the stoics, is to think hard about your current life, and what things could upend that.

Getting comfortable with living well within your means can be extremely freeing. You no longer have to worry about losing your job, about getting burned out and needing time off.

The knock on affects of this are possibly even worse. Because when one feels trapped, one can retreat inwards. You may no longer be able to be there for your friends and family when they need you. It’s a downward spiral.

In the interest of being of service to people around you, to making others lives easier, shed the lifestyle creep. Cut back and find joy in simple and timeless things.