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LM: #321: The barbell life
$2,000 ergonomic chairs only exist because sitting is bad for you.
The mediocre middle is full of steady-state defaults like this. They’re the easiest things to accept, but they come at hard costs.
To avoid this middle is to live the “barbell life.” Like a barbell, focus your efforts on the extremes, and keep it thin in the middle. Instead of a steady state in the middle, get the best of both worlds at the extreme ends.
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- Instead of living stressed in an overpriced city, live a relaxed life in the country, with high-energy trips to the city.
- Instead of writing on a computer, full of distractions, write on a typewriter, but publish online.
- Instead of having social apps a tap away, put them on a separate phone.
- Instead of getting terrible sleep with your partner, get separate beds – save cuddles for Saturday-afternoon naps.
- Instead of reading a new mid-wit business book, read ancient philosophy, or the latest Substack.
- Instead of the ergonomic chair, stand, sit on whatever, leverage AI to work while walking – overall, keep moving.
The “middle” is subjective, as are the extreme ends of the barbell. The barbell life isn’t one-size-fits all – that would be too middle.
What’s in your barbell life?
Book: The Medici (Amazon) is a gripping account of the family that made the Renaissance.
Cool: Silverant (Amazon) makes water bottles out of extremely light but also non-toxic titanium.
Best,
David
P.S. Play sure bets and wildcards with the barbell strategy.
P.P.S. How I reduced my microplastics exposure.
