Kezurou-Kai #39

Wondering why it is so satisfying. It tells that what you pursue doesn't matter. It can be a wood-planing contest or some silly hobby. What matters is that you are motivated to pursue it. You believe in improving that pursuit, you see others doing the same, you believe it is the social norm, you see that it is valued and respected. And most importantly you feel good about it.

Talk about things like investing in stocks, being known as a great techie or entrepreneur, exiting a great startup, running a venture capital, making a few million, becoming US citizen, having a great home etc. These goals are not bad. Just that they cost more, for the same returns (satisfaction). You are more successful when your happiness doesn't cost you a life-time running around or some herculean effort.

It is all about purpose and hope and expectations. It is why 90% of the satisfaction of a vacation is from the planning. We highly underestimate the mental health benefits of a hobby. They are also a great place to make friends and connect with others, especially as we get older. People deep in a hobby will gladly spend hours helping n00bs and will talk your ear off about all the ins and outs. There are also lots of hobbies that have almost no barrier to entry, just the willingness to try something new.

We'd all be a lot happier if we spent more time on a hobby and less time streaming shows.

you're stating that vacation planning is 90% of the pleasure as a truism???