Chase Simplicity.
When you cut away all the bullshit, the best moments are characterised by connection and simplicity.
In the spirit of simplicity this article will remain concise and comprehensible. No fancy words, no sections, no pretentious language.
This past weekend myself and 14 mates made our way to Oban (A scenic wee town on the west coast of Scotland). After enduring 13 months of social deprivation we finally decided enough was enough.
On Friday we valiantly set off in packs of 4; like different subsets of the avengers assembling in one location. Although our costumes differed and our objective was more so to get fucked up than fight bad guys — we still felt like superheroes.
A 2-hour road-trip was concluded with our arrival at an enormous Airbnb with all the bells and whistles — free JBL speaker, hot tub, stunning views, total seclusion & more. This was to be a palace of hugs, handshakes, friendly fist-bumps and camaraderie.
Over the course of the weekend i started to notice something extraordinary. My phone lay untouched and isolated in a bedside drawer, my mind rarely wandered from ‘the now’ and I had an excellent time. I was so engrossed with the simplicity of friendship that i forgot to give a fuck about all the nonsense.
I wasn't thinking about: the new phone i wanted to buy, the holidays i had to book or any other superficial bullshit.
Instead, a simple conversation amongst friends filled me with supreme happiness and appreciation. I got to learn more about their lives, how they were getting on, what they were doing.
In that raw moment of pure simplicity i found myself most content.
It got me thinking; is everything else just surface level? What brings us lasting happiness? Is it friendship, love, and connection? or materialism, power and egotistical desires.
I happen to think the former.
What’s the point in money if you’re lonely? What’s the point in happiness if you can’t share it?
With the upmost honesty, in comparison to financial wealth, I’d rather be rich in friendship, love, and connection.
Maybe society has us aiming for the wrong things. We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements convincing us to buy the newest, latest, best. These ‘things’ WILL make our lives better.
It’s a facade, a scheme, a lie.
Instead, spend money for simplicity.
Buy hiking gear and experience nature’s true beauty. Buy a round of shots for your mates. Arrange a visit to the park and engage in meaningful conversation.
Don’t forget that we’ve survived for 70,000 years without any materialistic bullshit. Cavemen didn’t drive Ferrari’s. Hunter-gatherer societies didn’t flaunt Gucci bags. There’s nothing intrinsic about the desire for surface-level satisfaction.
A life characterised by desire, greed, excess and materialism is superficial, cosmetic and shallow.
What’s genetic, lasting, and unadorned is our desire for friendship, connection, and love.
At the end of the day, sitting around a table with your best mates talking shit is 10x better than isolated happiness.
Chase simplicity.
As Always,
Yours Honestly,
Liam Lawson.
