The Art of Living
You might find yourself on this page wondering what the Art of Living entails. I thought it’d be a good idea to start this journal with my interpretation and how it shapes my life.
From a philosophical perspective, the Art of Living is about a life lived well and hands you a lens to asses the quality of your life. It is a realistic-optimistic perspective, giving space to rainbows and butterflies, rough patches, rock bottom, the silver lining, and the blue sky behind the clouds. The Art of Living is about dancing in the rain, handing someone else your umbrella, and realising how much the flowers and plants will appreciate the hydration.
It’s a school of thought that has lost momentum in today’s efficiency zeitgeist but (in my humble opinion) deserves a bigger following. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. Which doesn’t mean there are no setbacks, difficulties, or heartbreak. It’s all there. We just approach it differently. We accept things as they are, knowing they will change, without ignoring what the present moment is asking us. Instead of living life through a screen, we are present for reality. For all the aliveness within and around us.
We wouldn’t have rainbows if it weren’t for rain, Cape Town
There is no standard scale for quality of life because beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. I used to say (or joked) that the quality of my life was determined by the time I spent barefoot. This might sound random, but I’ve found that I feel most alive in situations where I don’t have to wear shoes. As my quality of life has improved significantly since moving to the beach, I still believe there’s wisdom in this specific method of measurement.
Contrary to popular belief, we don’t improve our quality of life by chasing happiness or wealth. Making happiness the sole purpose of your life is a hedonistic attitude, which easily gets you stuck in the capitalist rat race. The Art of Living isn’t about more, more, more—it’s about appreciating what is, creating what could be, and accepting what isn’t. It’s much more fruitful to cultivate gratitude and love than it is to chase happiness. Happiness is the collateral result, not the sole purpose.
Something else that has developed into a measurement for my quality of life is how spacious time feels. Do I have time to attend my vegetable garden, cook wholesome meals, go for a morning dip in the ocean, and be present for time with friends without keeping an eye on the clock? Or am I racing from appointment to appointment? Does my calendar give me anxiety? Am I buying expensive premade meals or skipping them altogether because time is not on my side? Then I know something has to change.
The way your idea around a life lived well takes shape is personal. For me, my values inform my grading system. I take something abstract and make it tangible. Explore what’s important to you and put that at the forefront of everyday life. Whether that’s spending time in nature, being a good parent, using your voice and showing up for activism, living an adventurous life, working towards financial independence, or whatever tickles your fancy.
For some, this idea of allowing and accepting might surface some resistance. Perhaps it comes across as lazy and not ambitious enough for your liking. It’s a funny belief that we can control life and every outcome. The resistance arises because the Art of Living requires surrendering control. Over time, we’ve conditioned ourselves to crave the good stuff and numb the difficulties, pain, and shadows. That’s not what you signed up for, right? Actually, no one promised life would be easy and fair. No life journey comes without dirt roads and detours. It is part of the human experience, and resisting it will only give it (more) power. Understanding we are in a continuous state of change, embracing the ebb and flow of life, and being honest with yourself and others can help navigate difficult terrain and new territories.
Perhaps that gives an idea of what the Art of Living encompasses. Maybe you think I’m just rambling. This journal really is an outlet for my thoughts, a way for me to make sense of the world and my place in it. I welcome you to this public exploration of the Art of Living in today’s world, with the pursuit of creating space for a more mindful way of life.
