I wonder if in rejecting Western hustle and Eastern detachment, it ends up building its own "ideal": the “authentic” life that integrates both. But isn’t that just another polished mask, another way of measuring existence against a metaphysical scale? Even “becoming,” as you use it, feels like a destination, subtler than success or enlightenment, but still a goal. Real freedom comes when we drop the need for a right way entirely and when we stop trying to escape the absurd and instead live alongside it, without appeal. Your critique is great, but maybe it’s still playing the same old game, just with better words.
I like that idea of "living along side the absurd". it resonates with me because lately I've been thinking more about letting go of trying to control every single aspect of life. Especially as a Muslim, as we believe nothing happens except by the will of Allah.
I get where you're coming from, the system sucks, we should stop chasing status, just do our own thing. Maybe this is the start of the new "Branding Renaissance"
Because all sounds great. But is it really freedom or just another version of the same game (ex. another rebranded rat race) ???
Like @matthieunocturne said in the comments, even this idea of "authentic living" starts to feel like a new standard we’re all supposed to live up to. It’s still a goal. Still a way of measuring if we’re “doing life right.” Isn’t that just hustle culture in disguise?
And yeah, @kazintheworld makes a great point as well about... what happens when we start following advice that doesn’t align with us. But swinging to the other extreme like throwing out structure altogether. This can leave us just as lost as we started.
@fieldnotesfordreamers and @noemikis both hit the nail on its head: building your own path matters. But I keep wondering… what if “your path” is still shaped by the need to feel different, to win by “losing”? That’s still a competition. Still a comparison.
So I question the status quo creators because it keeps coming back to me...
Are we REALLY freeing ourselves from the system or just rebranding it in cooler terms to "pretend we are free" but in reality we're just part of it in a different way?
This resonates with a few threads of thinking I've had but not articulated. Interesting perspective. A good read in this this area: Victoria Song's Bending Reality.
Brother, I took a vow of poverty and celibacy. I aspired to loser status and then failed at even that. Now I just chant and troll empires.
You're right though — winning the game everyone else is playing often means losing yourself. And when your soul starts sounding like a LinkedIn post, it's time to spiritually uninstall the app.
The Western myth says grind till you die. The Eastern myth says vanish till you don't exist. But neither myth teaches you how to become — how to make something useful from your pain, your joy, and your awkward spiritual puberty.
Let the world call you a loser. That’s just code for: “You’re not addicted to the same illusions we are.”
Reject the script. Burn the degree. Start the sacred side hustle of being fully, freakishly human. And when the system laughs, laugh back — from your mountain cave, co-working space, or basement altar.
Just don't forget: Even a loser can become a saint.
I like those 2 ideas. Understanding other people's desires and trying to create something they they are willing to pay for is exactly the core of entrepreneurship. I also like the other idea, of being valuable enough for people to pay forThis one hits deeper — it speaks to worth, usefulness, and contribution. It’s a quiet test of whether what you’re offering actually matters. If someone is willing to part with money, it means what you’ve made has crossed the threshold of “interesting” into “needed.”.
The part about developmental lines hits hard. We've been conditioned to think mastery means picking one lane and staying there forever. But why would you limit yourself to being one-dimensional when you have access to the entire spectrum of human development?
Your point about creating at the intersection of what you care about and what others care about - that's the sweet spot most people miss. They either create purely for themselves (and stay broke) or purely for others (and lose their soul).
The internet as a feedback loop is brilliant. Every post, every piece of content is basically a hypothesis test. Most people are afraid of the data, but that's exactly what makes you antifragile.
Time to stop optimizing for other people's definitions of success and start building something that actually matters.
I've done this all my life. However, when I veered off this trajectory and listened to others who "had my best interest at heart", knew more than I did about the social media world (since I took a 7 year break) and "wanted to fill me' in on what I need to change to "make it" as a whatever I screwed myself. I got farther and farther away from what I knew was best for me given the current learning curve and margin for error.
I wonder if in rejecting Western hustle and Eastern detachment, it ends up building its own "ideal": the “authentic” life that integrates both. But isn’t that just another polished mask, another way of measuring existence against a metaphysical scale? Even “becoming,” as you use it, feels like a destination, subtler than success or enlightenment, but still a goal. Real freedom comes when we drop the need for a right way entirely and when we stop trying to escape the absurd and instead live alongside it, without appeal. Your critique is great, but maybe it’s still playing the same old game, just with better words.
I like that idea of "living along side the absurd". it resonates with me because lately I've been thinking more about letting go of trying to control every single aspect of life. Especially as a Muslim, as we believe nothing happens except by the will of Allah.
i do mind, now go fuck yourself
I get where you're coming from, the system sucks, we should stop chasing status, just do our own thing. Maybe this is the start of the new "Branding Renaissance"
Because all sounds great. But is it really freedom or just another version of the same game (ex. another rebranded rat race) ???
Like @matthieunocturne said in the comments, even this idea of "authentic living" starts to feel like a new standard we’re all supposed to live up to. It’s still a goal. Still a way of measuring if we’re “doing life right.” Isn’t that just hustle culture in disguise?
And yeah, @kazintheworld makes a great point as well about... what happens when we start following advice that doesn’t align with us. But swinging to the other extreme like throwing out structure altogether. This can leave us just as lost as we started.
@fieldnotesfordreamers and @noemikis both hit the nail on its head: building your own path matters. But I keep wondering… what if “your path” is still shaped by the need to feel different, to win by “losing”? That’s still a competition. Still a comparison.
So I question the status quo creators because it keeps coming back to me...
Are we REALLY freeing ourselves from the system or just rebranding it in cooler terms to "pretend we are free" but in reality we're just part of it in a different way?
hey ingrid better to email ceo@renaldcroes.com, thanks
This is a very good hero image
It’s either build your own path or settle into someone else’s.
This resonates with a few threads of thinking I've had but not articulated. Interesting perspective. A good read in this this area: Victoria Song's Bending Reality.
Be a loser?
Brother, I took a vow of poverty and celibacy. I aspired to loser status and then failed at even that. Now I just chant and troll empires.
You're right though — winning the game everyone else is playing often means losing yourself. And when your soul starts sounding like a LinkedIn post, it's time to spiritually uninstall the app.
The Western myth says grind till you die. The Eastern myth says vanish till you don't exist. But neither myth teaches you how to become — how to make something useful from your pain, your joy, and your awkward spiritual puberty.
Let the world call you a loser. That’s just code for: “You’re not addicted to the same illusions we are.”
Reject the script. Burn the degree. Start the sacred side hustle of being fully, freakishly human. And when the system laughs, laugh back — from your mountain cave, co-working space, or basement altar.
Just don't forget: Even a loser can become a saint.
One of your best articles, super relevant
I like those 2 ideas. Understanding other people's desires and trying to create something they they are willing to pay for is exactly the core of entrepreneurship. I also like the other idea, of being valuable enough for people to pay forThis one hits deeper — it speaks to worth, usefulness, and contribution. It’s a quiet test of whether what you’re offering actually matters. If someone is willing to part with money, it means what you’ve made has crossed the threshold of “interesting” into “needed.”.
If you’re a loser, I’m a loser... because I’d rather build something real than win a rigged game.
Eye opening, really worth reading
Wow
I’m quitting my job this week.
The part about developmental lines hits hard. We've been conditioned to think mastery means picking one lane and staying there forever. But why would you limit yourself to being one-dimensional when you have access to the entire spectrum of human development?
Your point about creating at the intersection of what you care about and what others care about - that's the sweet spot most people miss. They either create purely for themselves (and stay broke) or purely for others (and lose their soul).
The internet as a feedback loop is brilliant. Every post, every piece of content is basically a hypothesis test. Most people are afraid of the data, but that's exactly what makes you antifragile.
Time to stop optimizing for other people's definitions of success and start building something that actually matters.
Real mesaage is that be willing to lose status, approval and comfort if it means gaining freedom, peace and alignment with your purpose.
I've done this all my life. However, when I veered off this trajectory and listened to others who "had my best interest at heart", knew more than I did about the social media world (since I took a 7 year break) and "wanted to fill me' in on what I need to change to "make it" as a whatever I screwed myself. I got farther and farther away from what I knew was best for me given the current learning curve and margin for error.