[Loose Definition] Trying to loosely define my own version of "loose"

The name of this note is "YuruLife.jp".

I plan to write about investing, running, parenting, and work, all with a "loose" touch.

But what does "loose" even mean in the first place?

Doing things half-heartedly? Not trying hard?

To me, it's a little different.

Before I start writing various articles, I decided to take a moment to organize my own definition of "loose".

Not avoiding effort, but choosing where to put it

For me, "loose" is,

a rational strategy to enrich life without strain.

is what it is.

That sounds a bit stiff for the word "loose," doesn't it? (laughs)

But I actually mean it quite seriously.

It doesn't mean doing nothing.

Rather, it's about,

Reducing unreasonable things.
Reducing wasteful things.
Simplifying complex things.

And in exchange, continuing to do what is truly important for a long time.

That is the image I have.

I used to think that working hard meant pushing myself to the limit

For example, running.

I used to think that if I wanted to get faster, I had to do a lot of painful training.

Working hard, pushing myself, and getting exhausted.

And then, eventually, getting sick of it.

Looking back, I feel like I didn't really have the perspective of continuing for the long term.

From there, little by little,

"I don't have to give it my all today"

"It's okay to rest if I'm tired"

"It's more important to keep going throughout the year"

I started to think this way.

As a result, even though I stopped pushing myself as hard as before, I became able to run a full marathon in under 2 hours and 50 minutes.

It's strange, but not trying too hard actually allowed me to go further in the end, didn't it?

Investing was the same.

I tried various things with investing, too.

Busy buying and selling individual stocks, and feeling happy or sad over stock prices and news.

But the more I had to think about, the more tired I got.

Recently,

"Keep enough cash to protect my lifestyle, and otherwise just invest for the long term simply"

I think that level suits me best.

The time I spend on investing has decreased. But my assets have increased.

And the time I can spend on my family, running, and work has also increased.

This, too, is my version of "loose".

Rather than one perfect score, focus on overall balance

Since turning 40 and having children, I have found myself thinking more about the balance of my life as a whole.

A perfect score only in work.

A perfect score only in investing.

A perfect score only in running.

Rather than that,

Family, health, money, work, and fun.

I think it might be happier for me to maintain about 70-80 points in each and keep them going for a long time.

That is what I think now.

Therefore, "loose" is not a compromise.

It is about deciding what to work hard on and what not to overexert yourself on.

And it is about continuing what is important to you for a long time.

Loosely, but moving forward

Of course, I am still in the process of trial and error myself.

I sometimes work too hard, push myself harder than I intended in running, or worry too much about money.

So, this concept of "loose" is not a finished product.

I think it will change little by little as I put it into practice from here on.

In this note, I will write about such trial and error as:

"Loose Investing"
"Loose Running"
"Loose Parenting"
"Loose Work"
"Loose Living"

as I go.

If there is anyone who is a little tired from trying too hard at something,

There are ways other than "trying even harder."

I would be happy if that could be conveyed even a little bit through this note.

Don't rush, but keep moving forward.

I intend to loosely cultivate a life that has options.