I too struggle with capitalism and it's gamification of "success." That said, I fall for the self-help writers and success coaches more often than I'd like to admit. Between my lizard brain wanted to do more than survive and social media playing games with how many of us see our place in the world, I try to find a balance between art and…
I too struggle with capitalism and it's gamification of "success." That said, I fall for the self-help writers and success coaches more often than I'd like to admit. Between my lizard brain wanted to do more than survive and social media playing games with how many of us see our place in the world, I try to find a balance between art and commerce. Don't always succeed...because I'm still a work-in-progress. Like most of us, I always was and always will be. As for Substack vs. YouTube, per subscriber, the patrons here are much more generous and supportive. On the whole, so far, they're almost equal...which is encouraging. I don't need much, but it's been a rough few years. For most of us. :-)
Starving poets and artists have had similar struggles for many decades and centuries. Finding a suitable and comfortable balance is not easy at all. I agree that Substack is a more equable place and people on Substack encourage and support each other. I am fortunate that having worked for the UK government as a health worker and university academic and professional educator, I have paid into and now receive a satisfactory pension each month. Living in Thailand is not as cheap as it was 22 years ago but my money still goes further than it would in the UK. But financial considerations were not the only - let alone the main - motivators. I wanted to see more of the world. Asia is a charming and very different place to explore. I love my species in all its varieties and similarities.
Based on what my dad said about Thailand (he was stationed there during his military service), it's a lovely country and it's on my bucket list. Fingers crossed. So many buckets. So many lists. But I'm glad you're enjoying retirement in a place you enjoy exploring. Cheers, Ray!
I too struggle with capitalism and it's gamification of "success." That said, I fall for the self-help writers and success coaches more often than I'd like to admit. Between my lizard brain wanted to do more than survive and social media playing games with how many of us see our place in the world, I try to find a balance between art and commerce. Don't always succeed...because I'm still a work-in-progress. Like most of us, I always was and always will be. As for Substack vs. YouTube, per subscriber, the patrons here are much more generous and supportive. On the whole, so far, they're almost equal...which is encouraging. I don't need much, but it's been a rough few years. For most of us. :-)
Starving poets and artists have had similar struggles for many decades and centuries. Finding a suitable and comfortable balance is not easy at all. I agree that Substack is a more equable place and people on Substack encourage and support each other. I am fortunate that having worked for the UK government as a health worker and university academic and professional educator, I have paid into and now receive a satisfactory pension each month. Living in Thailand is not as cheap as it was 22 years ago but my money still goes further than it would in the UK. But financial considerations were not the only - let alone the main - motivators. I wanted to see more of the world. Asia is a charming and very different place to explore. I love my species in all its varieties and similarities.
Based on what my dad said about Thailand (he was stationed there during his military service), it's a lovely country and it's on my bucket list. Fingers crossed. So many buckets. So many lists. But I'm glad you're enjoying retirement in a place you enjoy exploring. Cheers, Ray!