Ask HN: Are we living our best life?
Do you think now is the best we are going to live? Do you think your life will be better in 5 or 10 years?
Now is an arbitrary point as it is not the times which limits your quality of life, it is your good taste and self determination which is lacking.
Your best life would come by your fullest awareness that you are the source of most anxiety and want.
Sure, there is deprevity and want in the world yet it is so very far away from the average these things might as well be a fluke.
Consider, that NOW is a magical time in which our homes are safe, with running water, electricity, heating and cooling. Abundant foods of every variety and intrigue brought right to you (or at least your neighborhood grocer.) a time of mechanical wonders that can transport you (and all your belongings) great distances, even through the air! Things which make your life equal to that of Gods (or royalty) in ancient times.
Now isn’t your problem, knowing how to live is your problems.
Try living lean, without over leveraging. Choose good taste and lifestyle integrity rather than convenience or habit.
Take good care of yourself, as your health and mental well being are the greatest assets in this life! And while you’re at it, treat others well!
That said, I think the quantity of time we spend using technology has decreased our quality of life by reducing real-life human interaction and decreasing physical activity. I like to think my brain operates like a computer but it needs more downtime without stimulation than I give it.
I hope we start trending back to more human interaction and physical activity than the trend over the last 10 years of spending more and more time using technology.
That said, try to make the best of each day. "Best" is something you'll have to decide for yourself. But always try to help others. That creates a ripple effect in space and time.
I read an article, now vanished from Google and github (of course) about "Stackable Permanent Life Improvements". The idea is valid even for me at age 75. I have fun with my hobbies: mainly photography and piano. They keep me sharp and "in tune", especially with nature. Of course, circumstances change, but our relationship with others, with the arts, and with nature, in the large and in the small, are always rewarding, and adapt with change, sometimes, for the better.
Here's the archived article, for your enjoyment:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160728174449/http://bro-kaizen...
Short excerpt:
Given finite time, money, concentration, and gumption, every man must make decisions about resource expenditure. In general, it is best to aim to expend your resources solely upon “Stackable Permanent Life Improvements,” instead of mere delayed gratification.
Stackable Permanent Life Improvements are new additions to your life that add value, don’t expire, and can be compounded. Another way of saying this—stolen from Bro Kaizen’s crusty and implausibly rich old uncle—is, “Only buy things that appreciate.” What he means is that you ought to only exchange your resources for things that have lasting value and are composable (in the computer science sense of composability).
The article is a bit quirky. So is life. Building a foundation of friends, skills, and the arts will make for a better future, somewhat regardless of what others do. Some basic psychology and communication skills will always help. They helped me survive some deranged bosses in a (redacted) valley.