Do The Basics

Modern society constantly bombards us with shiny objects and aspirational lifestyles. Social media is filled with people sharing their happiest moments and niche experiences, creating an implicit pressure to live an extraordinary life. While this might seem exciting, the problem arises when it leads to perpetual dissatisfaction with what we have and achieve. Every experience holds a certain allure at first, but with time and repetition, that initial excitement fades. While out-of-the-ordinary experiences are enjoyable, the relentless pursuit of adventure and uniqueness prevents us from appreciating our lives as they are. It blinds us to the fundamental elements that bring true contentment. This dissatisfaction, I argue, is a fundamental human catastrophe—one that causes us to lose sight of meaningful moments.
Yet, paradoxically, the path to being unique and extraordinary doesn’t require chasing uniqueness. Instead, it lies in mastering the absolute basics. I believe this approach fosters contentment for a simple reason: human civilization and intellect have evolved far faster than our bodies. Unlike our ancestors, we no longer fight for survival, yet this abundance has left us with a void we don’t know how to fill. We move too little, we disconnect from nature, and we lack the deep social unity that once came from living in tribal structures.
This is not a guide on how to transcend the ego—I don't believe that’s easily achieved without leaving modern life entirely, and since I haven’t done that myself, I won’t suggest it to anyone. Rather, this is an attempt to reflect and share my thoughts on how we might reconnect with ourselves and cultivate a more meaningful existence. There may be nothing groundbreaking in these words—perhaps just a reminder of the simple things we too often overlook.

I will be focusing on four pillars: the body, the mind, money, and love.

The Body

• It’s well established that our demons come alive when we’re sleep-deprived. Don’t obsess over what time you go to bed and wake up—what matters is consistency. You can be a night owl or an early riser; just make sure you’re getting at least eight hours of sleep. Roger Federer sleeps 10 to 12 hours. Forget the nonsense self-development gurus preach about how some genius scientists and inventors thrived on four or five hours of sleep. You are not one of them, and I don’t care if you ever will be—sleep well for your own sanity.
• Exercise is non-negotiable. It’s not about chasing a V-shaped torso for a few months and then quitting. It doesn’t matter what you do—lift weights, swim, run, hike—just move your body consistently. Exercise is like brushing your teeth; you don’t stop just because you did it for a while. It’s a lifelong maintenance practice.
• Eat well. Eat enough protein, eat meat, eat vegetables, eat fruits, eat real food. I personally don’t believe in vegetarian or vegan diets unless you have a medical condition like an allergy or gain weight too easily. The key is to eat what’s nutritious and sustains you.
• Weightlifting is great, but I’ve found that exercises involving momentum—like running or cycling—are especially beneficial. They move your entire body and provide a mental boost.
• Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immunity, and testosterone levels. Recommended doses are usually too low. Instead, try overloading in the first week with 16,000 IU, then maintain around 10,000 IU daily.

The Mind

The mind is a broad and intricate topic, unlike the body, which follows a more structured template for maintaining health. We all have mental challenges and conditioning shaped by our unique experiences. Even within the same family, no two individuals grow up in identical environments. This complexity makes it difficult to define what truly keeps us mentally well.
I use the word sane deliberately because life has a way of breaking us, sometimes making us feel lost or disconnected. There are moments when the mind becomes its own worst enemy—when even getting out of bed feels impossible. But when we do have the ability to take action, certain fundamental practices can help strengthen our mental capacity:

• Focus on work. Not everyone has a mentally stimulating job, and that can be frustrating. But if you do, respect it and give it your best effort. If your work lacks stimulation, try to find something more engaging—it’s not easy, but continuous learning and effort can open new opportunities.
• Read to learn, not just to read. Many people take pride in being bookworms, yet they barely absorb what they read. Reading isn’t about finishing a set number of books or merely enjoying the process. Learning through reading requires deliberate focus—sometimes, it means revisiting the same book multiple times, much like religious texts are repeatedly studied for deeper understanding.
• Find an outlet. When I went through a breakup, I felt paralyzed, unable to function. This webpage became my way of regaining some sense of purpose. I still struggle, but having something to focus on helps.
• Prioritize self-care. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—just basic hygiene and maintaining a clean, organized space. Keep yourself well-groomed, and develop small rituals that make you feel better. For me, it’s taking care of my teeth and soaking my face in icy water. These simple routines provide a sense of relief and accomplishment.
• Have a hobby that doesn’t require much thinking. This might seem counterintuitive, but doing something manual and repetitive can be grounding. Finding a state of flow, even for an hour, can be mentally refreshing. For me, that’s leather crafting.
• Spend time in nature.
• Avoid social media completely.

Ultimately, everything I mention in this text comes down to maintaining a healthy, stable mind. When you are mentally at peace, tasks become easier, and simple moments become more fulfilling.

Money

Money plays a crucial role in life. True satisfaction is difficult to achieve without having your basic needs met, and many valuable experiences are only accessible with financial stability. While I’m not an expert on this topic, as a middle-class individual, I can highlight some key priorities for building long-term financial security. Financial freedom isn’t easy to achieve, but it’s a goal worth striving for.

• If you have a stable 9-to-5 job, don’t abandon it without a clear plan. I don’t like being employed—it often feels like modern slavery—but it’s a necessary foundation. Gaining a few years of experience provides financial security and knowledge that can later be used to build something independent.
• Pay off your debts before focusing on savings.
• Build an emergency fund that covers at least six months of expenses. This acts as a safety net in case you lose your job, allowing you to focus on finding another opportunity without immediate financial stress.
• Once your emergency fund is in place, set aside a fixed amount each month for investments. The sheer number of investment options can be overwhelming, but if you’re looking for a simple, effective approach, consider investing in the S&P 500 index. This index includes 500 of the largest companies worldwide and has historically shown long-term growth. Look for a company that manages these investments for you—Vanguard (UK), for example, offers an option to automatically reinvest returns, which helps maximize compound growth.

Love

Love is one of the most complex topics to discuss—at least for me. Human connection is a fundamental need, whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. These traits only influence how we seek connection, but in the end, we cannot thrive in complete isolation. There’s no benefit in striving for total solitude. I’ve titled this section love to highlight the importance of deep relationships—not just romantic love, but also the love we have for family, friends, our homeland, or any place we consider home.
Romantic love, however, is particularly complicated. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a loving family, and modern life often forces people to move away from close friends, leaving them without a strong support system. Personally, I find it difficult to form deep connections. I have friends where I live, but they are more like acquaintances—I don’t share my deepest thoughts with them. For those of us who struggle with meaningful relationships, we often rely on a romantic partner to fulfill our need for love and human connection. But this dependency comes with its own set of challenges.
Through painful experiences, I’ve learned a few lessons about love—lessons that were brutally difficult but, hopefully, insightful:

• Don’t treat your partner like your mother or your therapist. No matter how close you become, don’t assume she can handle every unfiltered thought in your mind. Some thoughts, if spoken carelessly, can be hurtful and unintentionally damage the relationship. We all have moments of negativity, and it’s unfair to expect someone else to fully understand or process them for us. Before sharing something, ask yourself: Do I even fully understand this thought? If not, how can I expect my partner to?
• Have a life of your own. Maintain friendships and connections outside of your relationship. Friends can serve as a better outlet for certain thoughts, particularly the negative ones that don’t need to be placed on your partner’s shoulders. This isn’t about hiding things—it’s about recognizing that some emotions and frustrations are best processed elsewhere rather than risking unnecessary harm to the relationship.
• Don’t pursue love before achieving stability. Get a job first. Build an independent professional and social life before diving into a serious relationship. Having personal goals and time apart strengthens the relationship by ensuring that the time spent together is meaningful rather than overwhelming. Clinging too much to a partner can become toxic.
• Treat her well. Listen to her. Pay attention to what she wants and needs. Make her feel good about herself. And if a negative thought about her arises, don’t immediately say it. Some wounds, even if unintentionally inflicted, may never fully heal. A careless remark said in passing can leave a lasting scar. Be mindful of your words.