This is not a cheesy line from a $10 self help book. Nor it is something that personal development gurus once said in a TED Talk. This is something that comes directly from my heart when I read about Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy. Let’s start with how we usually do: talking about who the man was before sharing what he preached.
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) was an American writer, philosopher, and naturalist. He is best known for his book “Walden,” which shares his experience of living in a cabin in the woods for two years. You can say he was the true ‘Man vs Wild’ as he decided to reject the social norms of living a lavish life and chose to be rooted to his true self and live in solace.
Thoreau was a leading figure in the Transcendentalist movement. It was a moment started by Kant, another great philosopher. This is a study that says that to understand yourself you’ll have to truly understand nature and live with what you have. It emphasised the importance of individualism, self-reliance, and the natural world. He lived his life according to these principles, striving to live simply and deliberately, and to connect with the natural world. Thoreau believed in the importance of living authentically and pursuing one’s own passions, rather than conforming to society’s expectations. He started this stoic moment as an experiment and jotted down his findings to share it with the world.
Now to justify the title:
It is okay to be ‘uncool’ if you’re being yourself
This is to say that you should learn how to not only say ‘No’ but also reject what the society wants to expect out of you. When you grow up, go through high school, get into college and then you start contemplating what life will actually be like. You’re sad for most days because you want solace and peace but since we live in a capitalist world that is run by money alone you are not supposed to take rest or else you’ll end up being hungry. You start thinking that this is what life will be like — you’ll have to work tirelessly, grind for most hours only to get 2 days off as vacation in which you’ll worry about the piled up work you’ll have to do once you get back.
Now think of this, why do you accept this? If you are unhappy, why would you accept what the society expected of you. I know this is a very controversial statement as I too am a part of that club which works 9–5. I too grind for most days and I am no one to say ‘LiVe YoUr DrEaMs’ because to be honest we are not born rich. We don’t have gold stored by in some places and we don’t have properties and generational incomes. We don’t have the privilege to say that ‘Money does not matter’ because for middle class people (like me) it matters a lot. It is what feeds my family and keeps a roof over my head.
But, what is the difference between me from my 2 years ago self and me now? And who am I to give this lesson? It is because I work not because of the acceptance but to build a life outside of it. I work to save so that I can do what I want. I don’t work a 9–5, I work a 7 am to 9 pm in which I also build my personal brand, hustle to do what I love and grow myself. I usually don’t take out time to meet people and I don’t go to fancy restaurants.
I decide to live a simple and harmonious live with nature. These are things that people find uncool. When you don’t fit in the norms of wearing expensive clothes or laughing at half baked jokes. When you decide not to spend money mindlessly on expensive cars and choose to save up. When you are someone who would rather meditate and have deep conversations rather than go to a night club, you are tagged as uncool. You can find your balance to do both as well, but do it because you want to not because these things are ‘cool’
I’d rather be called a loser for being myself than be called an icon for faking.
This is where Henry’s philosophy comes in. Thoreau also believed in the importance of living authentically and pursuing one’s own passions, rather than conforming to society’s expectations. He famously wrote, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” It is okay to take the road not taken and follow a different path. It will be fearful yes, you will have moments of doubt and second thoughts but till the time you have the confidence to pursue on that path you are good to go. If you have read my previous articles you’ll know I believe in stoic nature and thus like to invest time in knowing about philosophers to did the same. Reading Walden was an eye opening experience that made me more confident about my minimalistic approach towards life.
It taught me that simplicity is key. Thoreau believed that by living simply, one could free oneself from the distractions of modern life and focus on what is truly important. He simplified his life by living in a small cabin, growing his own food, and reducing his expenses. You should also spend time in nature. If you live in a more city area, then taken often walks in the park, meditate and look at nature. It also emphasises on living deliberately and intentionally, rather than simply going through the motions of life. He encouraged people to identify their own values and goals, and to live in a way that aligns with those priorities. By living deliberately, we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
If you want to use Henry’s philosophy to become a more self aware and rooted person, here is what you should start practising:
- Cultivate self-awareness: To become more successful, take time to reflect on your values, goals, and strengths. Identify your passions and areas for improvement, and work towards becoming the best version of yourself.
- Pursue your own path: Live authentically and pursue one’s own passions, rather than conforming to society’s expectations. To become more successful, identify your own unique path and work towards achieving your goals, rather than following the crowd or pursuing someone else’s idea of success.
- Practice self-reliance: Thoreau believed in the importance of self-reliance and taking responsibility for one’s own life. To become more successful, take ownership of your actions and decisions, and work towards achieving your goals through hard work and determination.
- Embrace simplicity: By living simply, one could free oneself from the distractions of modern life and focus on what is truly important. To become more successful, simplify your life by focusing on your priorities and eliminating unnecessary distractions.
- Connect with nature: Spending time in nature could bring a sense of peace and clarity to one’s life. To become more successful, take time to connect with nature through outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping, or by simply spending time in a local park or green space.
Thank you for reading my content. I create notion template for developers, students and productivity fanatics. I also give growth and Notion dashboard creation consultancies! Get to know about each new blog by subscribing to emails!
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