this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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Being content despite all of it.
We shouldn't be striving to be "content" we should be livid, pissed, terrified, motivated.
Being content while the world is falling apart is madness and the more people that are "content" means more people unwilling to actually make the changes necessary to fix the problems we have.
Apathy is death.
"content" doesn't preclude any of that.
"Content" simply means you feel as if you could live life with what you have. It doesn't mean you can't WANT more. It doesn't mean you can't hate how badly the system is bending you and others over. It's simply a state of being that is, "at the end of the day, none of this is unbearable. I will continue living, and as such, there's no need for an extreme emotional response."
Drive, desire, fight.. all of it can exist, and you can still maintain contentedness.
That's the part I'm having issues with. There's very much a need for extreme emotional response.
Idk clearly I'm not picking up what you're putting down and I apologize for seeming so hostile. I'm just at the point of wanting to commit acts of terror because the people in charge are making protest illegal.
I just don't see how that's any different from "it is what it is" in the first place.
UK? Yeah that shit is scary. I am gobsmacked they're pulling that authoritarian crap.
I'm probably full of shit but here is what I'm thinking. Some things like employers not paying enough and treating employees like shit in various ways-- that is depressing if we are totally helpless. If we can form unions and protest in effective ways, that actually get some reforms going, then it feels like maybe there is some hope.
Content isn't the right response. Neither is giving up in despair. Being able to channel anger and frustration productively seems lots better.
If you're lonely for a bit, or some things aren't going great you can learn to live with that, for now while also working on fixing what you can. Spinning your wheels fretting and self-pitying doesn't help but taking action does.
Some things will always be outside of my control.
It is probably best to find a way to accept those things. Rather than stewing about them. Because all that does is make me feel worse.
I think you pretty well nailed my view of contentedness with your paragraph starting "if you're lonely...". That's pretty much how I see it. It's a state of being okay, despite some needs not being met in the moment. Tend to urgent needs, be ok with some less urgent ones sitting for a bit, accept things you have no control over, and work towards bettering your position overall, instead of sitting and wallowing in the self-pity mire.
Man, I get it. I'm at that point, too. In a lot of ways society has failed all of us.
Society is also a large vessel that takes lifetimes to change. Essentially, the kind of thing one man can do barely anything about. Not that we shouldn't try, but... Well, to quote Stephen King, "pray for water, but dig a well while you wait."
I think the best way to describe it is, if I feel content, it's a sense of stability within myself - a sense that I'm grounded, and going to get through. Some of my needs right now are going under-fulfilled, but that won't be eternal. I'm uncomfortable now, but discomfort doesn't mean I'm in a situation where I should panic and start grasping at the first possible way to fulfill my needs. Instead, I can be comfortable in my discomfort, think about what my needs actually are, and create a plan to fulfill those needs in a more healthy and sustainable manner.
I think I understand you. I also think there are needs for extreme emotional response. However, I would be interested how often they helped you in, and how often the only effect of these was making you feeling worse?
I did some therapy in this direction. And I am generally more content. I can enjoy way more time of my life than a year ago, even in similar situations.
But if we talk about the status of the world, I am at least as angry and sad as before. And I also do at least as much to change it as before. Which, to be honest, is not as much as I would like.
Edit: I think I can actually experience emotions more intense now, while not being overwhelmed by them.