Keeping Things Simple

later12 · 17-01-2012 01:24AM #1

This girl moved into my house a few weeks back who I guess some people would describe as a little alternative. She's not religious, per se, but maintains a very simple way of life: she regularly fasts, rarely wears make up, and the other day told me she often chooses to go for long stretches of time without having sex. And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

It's a way of life I've started to find really fascinating. As I hang around with her, I can see a definite benefit to maintaining almost monastic levels of simplicity in your day to day living. I fasted a few days back (for the craic, like) and walked about twelve miles on my own. Although the following isn't the primary aim of ascetic living, I can't remember the last time I felt to appreciative of my life. It was almost like a re-tuning, if you like. I began to see some previously important matters begin to diminish.

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

chin_grin · 17-01-2012 01:25AM

I feel like I'm reading the synopsis of that movie 40 Days and 40 Nights.

AlmightyCushion · 17-01-2012 01:27AM

Is it true that if you don't use it you lose it?

strobe · 17-01-2012 01:28AM

Nah, there'll be plenty of silence, abstinence and passing up of luxuries when I'm dead. You only get one short little life, no chance in hell I'm going to spend it denying myself the things I enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, whatever you're into like. Just not for me.

Temptamperu · 17-01-2012 01:28AM

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

17-01-2012 01:30AM

later10 wrote: »

This girl moved into my house a few weeks back who I guess some people would describe as a little alternative. She's not religious, per se, but maintains a very simple way of life: she regularly fasts, rarely wears make up, and the other day told me she often chooses to go for long stretches of time without having sex. And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

It's a way of life I've started to find really fascinating. As I hang around with her, I can see a definite benefit to maintaining almost monastic levels of simplicity in your day to day living. I fasted a few days back (for the craic, like) and walked about twelve miles on my own. Although the following isn't the primary aim of ascetic living, I can't remember the last time I felt to appreciative of my life. It was almost like a re-tuning, if you like. I began to see some previously important matters begin to diminish.

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

Go for it.

dancesatnight · 17-01-2012 01:31AM

Temptamperu wrote: »

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

I know how you feel im like that right now waiting for pay day lol

chin_grin · 17-01-2012 01:31AM

Temptamperu wrote: »

Once I fasted... turned out I was just poor and could not afford food.

All hail to the Koka!

later12 · 17-01-2012 01:32AM

strobe wrote: »

Nah, there'll be plenty of silence, abstinence and passing up of luxuries when I'm dead. You only get one short little life, no chance in hell I'm going to spend it denying myself the things I enjoy.

Yeah that was my initial reaction as well.

But I think if anything, it can actually increase the level of satisfaction you can get from luxuries. You don't have to cut them out altogether. After that day of fasting and walking, coming home and eating pizza and wine never felt so amazing. It was a little bit of ecstasy.

Sofaspud · 17-01-2012 01:33AM

The things a man will do to get his hole.

lefthooker · 17-01-2012 01:35AM

later10 wrote: »

I can really see the benefit of maintaining simplicity in your life. Retreats, vows of silence, abstinence, renunciation of certain luxuries: is it something many of you ever think about?

I'll keep it real simple..... HELL NO

Doc Ruby · 17-01-2012 01:36AM

While not being of a monastic cut myself, in fact about as far from it as possible, you do get a kind of solitude and need discipline when you're out and about far away from the centras and streetlights, halfway up a mountain somewhere. Can be a bit more punishing if you drop the ball than if you sneak a mars bar during your fast mind you so not recommended for everyone.

Rockery Woman · 17-01-2012 01:36AM

chin_grin wrote: »

All hail to the Koka!

Or you can get Aldi ones for 20cents :pac:

AnonoBoy · 17-01-2012 01:37AM

I'm on a similar kick at the moment.

I was getting UPC installed and went for the regular one, no HD, no movie or sports extras, just the basic 50 or so channels.

I feel quite zen-like.

krudler · 17-01-2012 01:39AM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I'm on a similar kick at the moment.

I was getting UPC installed and went for the regular one, no HD, no movie or sports extras, just the basic 50 or so channels.

I feel quite zen-like.

thats a level of self control I could only hope to achieve one day.

RichieC · 17-01-2012 01:41AM

once I didnt put mayo on my chips.

billybudd · 17-01-2012 01:43AM

Everything in moderation is a good way to live life imo, 2 days of silence without talking is a very good thing for a persons mentality sometimes, it opens the door for self reflection and self awareness.

AnonoBoy · 17-01-2012 01:50AM

Seriously though when I was a teenager I used to see how long I could go without talking.

It did help of course that I was massively unpopular so other kids at school tended to ignore me.

My name is URL · 17-01-2012 02:04AM

I kinda like the simple way of living, but it goes beyond what some people consider to be 'simple ways'. I don't need to live in a field cut off from the rest of the world just to assure myself that I can and do live a simpler life than most.

Chuck Stone · 17-01-2012 02:22AM

I've often thought of going on the road and walking from town to town helping people out with their problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgGKSjiw0HQ

davoxx · 18-01-2012 11:33AM

maybe no make-up leads to these long stretches of no sex?

later10 wrote: »

And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

pics or it did not happen ...

sbsquarepants · 18-01-2012 11:40AM

later10 wrote: »

Yeah that was my initial reaction as well.

But I think if anything, it can actually increase the level of satisfaction you can get from luxuries. You don't have to cut them out altogether. After that day of fasting and walking, coming home and eating pizza and wine never felt so amazing. It was a little bit of ecstasy.

Abstinance aint for me.
If you want a little bit of ecstasy in your life, try a little bit of ecstasy. That way you can still eat biscuits and get your hole should the chance present itself!
It's called a win/win situation.:)

VinnyTGM · 18-01-2012 11:44AM

I like to over indulge in every aspect of life.

smash · 18-01-2012 11:45AM

It's all bollox, you're only doing it cos she's hot.

kkdela6 · 18-01-2012 11:49AM

It just sounds like an excuse for being really lazy?

18-01-2012 11:51AM

I can see the logic.. My equivalent would be my solo motorbike trips. It's not a vow of silence or fasting but it's 3/5/7 days out by myself with only my bike, map, money and a few words of Vietnamese. Feel great every time I come back from one.

membersonly · 18-01-2012 11:52AM

How on earth could you go days without talking? Do you warn your friends and family first that you're doing it or do you just blank them for the duration with no explanation?

Sindri · 18-01-2012 12:13PM

Your going through one of the many (mid-life) crises people go through throughout their lives. Re-evaluating some of your attitudes and beliefs.

You'll get over it. Hopefully what you learn though will make you a more rounded person.

Dial Square · 18-01-2012 12:42PM

later10 wrote: »

And believe me, this girl is attractive, she could have her choice of men.

Pics or GTFO! :pac:

The King of Moo · 18-01-2012 12:45PM

.......

Nothingbetter2d · 18-01-2012 12:49PM

fasting for me is not really an option due to medical issues... i have to take pills daily for IBS & GERD... some of the pills have to be taken with food to be of any use to my system.

but whatever floats your boat i guess.

Keeping Things Simple

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