The Real Luxuries In Life • Hacker News Board

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#131

Post by Gerard0 » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC

jimmydddd wrote: post #87

ivolimmen wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I lived a short time in my 20s with friends a few blocks from my parents. When I returned to live with my parents for a short period the entire dynamic changed. You leave the house so you don't go to your room, you visit. I started talking more and listening to music with them. I really appreciated my parents more. I hope my relationship with my children will be the same.

What do you mean by listening to music with them? Like, sitting around in the living room playing each other's favorite songs? I don't think I've ever done that with my parents, my kids, or anyone really.

I guess most people don't sit and listen to something nowadays. I rarely do it.

But to just play your favorite songs to your family? You surely have woken up to a song you remembered or have been listening and played it out loud?

If you haven't, do it! Your family will love to see you sing, dance, react to it!

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#132

Post by lotsofpulp » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC

megadragon9 wrote: post #42

this makes me wonder, does having kids change the list of things on your list? and why?

No, it just means you need a lot more money because you want the things on your list for your kids also.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#133

Post by mlyle » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:34 PM UTC

zkmon wrote: post #107

mathgeek wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The real luxury, for any age, in general, is in not having dependencies and needs. Fewer. Everyone will always have some dependencies and needs. Personally, I pity anyone who sees a desire to be loved as a weakness. That’s quite literally a lesson taught as a trope about being a good person vs an evil one.

Being loved is not a weakness. But a strong requirement to be loved is a weakness because that means you don't have strength to be happy without being loved.

Eating is not a weakness. But a strong requirement to eat is a weakness because you don't have the strength to be happy without eating.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#134

Post by werdnapk » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:35 PM UTC

I can't do boring. I've had bouts of time with really not much to do (pre-kids) and it really starts to pick at my brain as to what am I really doing with my life.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#135

Post by blehn » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:36 PM UTC

smokel wrote: post #34

Time seems to be one of the most valuable luxuries. AFAIK it is not entirely clear why time seems to pass faster when one grows older. One argument is that the older brain does not form memories as intricate as in the younger brain. Has anyone experimented with actively making more complex memories to make time pass slower? Seems like the best approach to living longer, at least in experience.

Because time is relative —— year for a 50 y/o is 1/50th of their life; a year for a 5 y/o is 1/5th of their life.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#136

Post by nradov » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:37 PM UTC

zkmon wrote: post #64

Time, quiet mind, slow mornings, rest without guilt, calm and boring days - are all the same thing - escape from being busy. This assumes being busy is common, which is actually not that common for an age of 60+. The real luxury, for any age, in general, is in not having dependencies and needs. The need to impress someone, the need to know every ugly news from around globe, the need to read everything and be knowledg…

Why would I want a slow morning? That sounds miserable, like the opposite of luxury.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#137

Post by wendelandrady » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:37 PM UTC

time... oh time is something I long for and hunger for I am only 18 yet I feel like time moves so fast and I don't get to enjoy life day to day in a world where everything seems so fast i just want to slow day and enjoy time but yet again time is the one element in this universe that no one has control over... never the less beautifully put!

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#138

Post by SomeoneOnTheWeb » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:37 PM UTC

mlyle wrote: post #133

zkmon wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being loved is not a weakness. But a strong requirement to be loved is a weakness because that means you don't have strength to be happy without being loved.

Eating is not a weakness. But a strong requirement to eat is a weakness because you don't have the strength to be happy without eating.

I would actually argue that eating is a weakness, that every single human (and animals in general) just happen to share.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#139

Post by Gerard0 » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:38 PM UTC

SA9G wrote: post #111

Health is obviously first, you have nothing without it. But real joy is wanting to do something, something that is important to you, and being able to. Without desire there is no joy... just a slow countdown.

Allow me to join your team.

I want and try to do stuff which is important to me and I know there will be problems along the way.

Re: The Real Luxuries In Life

#140

Post by Kuyawa » Sat, Sep 05, 2026, 9:38 PM UTC

I am 60 too and I'd add to that list 'Doing the things you like'

I love letting my mind 'play' with the computer, not work, play

And I love pickleball, going to the gym, and watching movies with my wife. My life has become really simple and I enjoy it the most. Yeah, peace of mind is at the top of the list at this age