How to appreciate life more?

[Raphael]

I noticed that I can't appreciate life properly. I always find something wrong with what I'm doing. When I'm working (I do web development), I don't find it fulfilling and tell myself that this is too technical and lacks human connection. When I'm with people, I tell myself that I'm not very social and that I'm better alone.

What to do to appreciate life?

[Human Mint]

Great question.

[Juan]

For me it’s magic mushroom, I take a low dose and sit somewhere at the beach. There is other ways without psychedelic of course like meditation but psychedelics they force me to put awareness to the HERE NOW. It reminds me to not be too hard on myself and enjoy life.

I can’t suggest psychedelics to anyone cuz idk people’s mental health record but if you are a well balanced human being then you can give it a go. Mix it with meditation and you’re good, more answers will come along the way.

[bazera]

17 hours ago, Raphael said:

When I'm working (I do web development), I don't find it fulfilling and tell myself that this is too technical and lacks human connection

Yeah, especially since I became a meat proxy between Claude Code and app 

17 hours ago, Raphael said:

What to do to appreciate life?

I tend to do what when I'm doing stuff just for their own sake. For example, playing with my dog, or spending time with my family, with no drama.

Also, just driving alone in nature, just for it's own sake, with no destination, gets me into a contemplative mood. 

Thinking of my death also helps me appreciate life more. Sounds, shapes, forms, emotions, feelings, interactions won't last forever, I'm experiencing them temporarily and then some day it will be over.

[Raphael]

2 hours ago, bazera said:

Yeah, especially since I became a meat proxy between Claude Code and app 

The issue I have is that it feels like a waste of time. I know that I can help many people by creating a website or web app but at the same time I will don't think about technical stuff on my deathbed. Claude Code made the work even less interesting imo.

[bazera]

12 minutes ago, Raphael said:

I know that I can help many people by creating a website or web app but at the same time I will don't think about technical stuff on my deathbed.

I think any type of a business will require thinking about technical stuff. Also, you could potentially earn lots of money with projects like that (if it genuinely solves people's problems somehow), and then you won't be needing to work as much as you work today, and you'll have more time to appreciate life for it's own sake. 

But earning lots of money with webapps is much harder than it sounds.

15 minutes ago, Raphael said:

The issue I have is that it feels like a waste of time.

For me as well sometimes, but it earns me a paycheck. Then I get to do things and build a lifestyle that I wouldn't be able to do without that paycheck. So it's a tradeoff. Not permanent tough, at some point I'll also think of ways to escape that paycheck slavery, but not right now, due to having other priorities.

[Natasha Tori Maru]

Not to be blunt - but losing your health will do it. By force, if you cannot manage a gratitude and appreciation practice.

The software apps you write - do others use them? That is how you are connecting with other humans, despite how nebulous it may seem. It is just that you may not get to directly experience how you affect them. You may never know 🙏🏻 but you can visualise:

I get caught up in monkey survival games also. I spend some days informing contractors all day their work is shit. They are behind. I can't pay them because of xxx not done. It's a lot of bad news. No's. Dissappointing people. Negotiating. Stress. Plans read wrong, walls not plumb. Then the hospital is built. I see women getting breast scans to diagnose and treat cancer and save lives. ICUs where COVID patients were treated and infection prevention stopped spread, ICAs that stop mentally ill people killing themselves or hurting others. Dialysis centres where diabetes is treated. Pathologies where ED blood tests are run that save lives in a snap. I see how my troubles help others. It makes it all worth it. Those people get to live a bit longer, a bit better. One more sunrise. One more sunset. 

I can't see any of that in the middle of the monkey game. When I'm ordering 20 doors, frames and praying the hardware is all good. Looking at pages of specs and plans to find one detail so I don't loose $20k.

The only way I make it through some days is to sit and visualise the building completed. The sunrise and set above it. And people leaving, after receiving treatment, going home to see their families.

Gratitude and appreciation is the only way. Find connection. All goodness comes from connection. 

The more you mindfully remind yourself, the more you inner narrative will change. Reframe ❤️ the smallest actions can have huge impact - butterfly effect.

[Ramanujan]

@Natasha Tori Maru how long are you into self improvment

[Natasha Tori Maru]

@Ramanujan I've always been into it for as long as I can remember... 

I've always been overly concerned with existential matters of the self, how I can be better, suffer less. Become more conscious 

I was most aware I was like this since around 11 or 12 years old. If I had to say - since then.

[Jirh]

What do you do when you have free time?

Do you engage in any hobbies after work?

How often do you chill and relax?

When was the last time you took a long vacation?