Enjoy the Decline

by Aaron Clarey

The first psychological adaptation or “epiphany” you need to have is arguably the hardest – you need to let go of the United States.

We must also realize that, for better or worse, the United States is a democracy and this is what the people wanted.

Another psychological adjustment you must make in order to enjoy the decline is to realize what you do and do not control.

The final psychological adjustment you must make is living your life in accordance with

leisure, not labor.

So even if you are an able-bodied 28 year old man with no problems whatsoever, if you decide to go on the government dole and no longer look for a job, you aren’t accounted for in the unemployment rate because you are not considered to be part of the labor force.

In short the relationship between the government and its people is parasitic - any increase in the size of government has to be paid for by its people, thereby necessarily lessening the individual.

At the core of the “minimalism philosophy” is the element of time.

Understanding and accepting death is the key to maximizing and getting the most out of your life.