avatarJonathan Greene

Summary

The text reflects on the paradox of feeling empty amidst others' fullness and the realization that a minimalist lifestyle and meaningful connections can provide a sense of fulfillment.

Abstract

The poem "Less is More as a Lifestyle" delves into the dichotomy of emptiness and abundance, suggesting that while people often appear to be filled with various emotions and states of being, the author grapples with a pervasive sense of emptiness. This feeling, however, can sometimes be comforting, likened to the pangs of hunger, yet ultimately, it is more satisfying to find nourishment. The author ponders how to satisfy this void, which is not always a craving for more but sometimes a need for less, especially in terms of social interactions. The piece concludes with the acceptance that even on days filled with emptiness, there can be a sense of fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity in both consumption and companionship.

Opinions

  • The author feels a disconnect between their own emptiness and the fullness they observe in others.
  • There is a recognition that what fills others may not necessarily be substantive, ranging from superficiality to genuine happiness.
  • The author suggests that for an introvert, the quality of social interactions is more valuable than their frequency or duration.
  • The concept of "less is more" is presented as a lifestyle choice that can satiate an internal hunger for space and simplicity.
  • The poem conveys an acceptance of emptiness as a part of life that can coexist with feelings of fulfillment.

Less is More as a Lifestyle

A Poem

Photo by K8 on Unsplash

It’s interesting to see people so full when I feel so empty I can’t even tell what they are so full of most of the time Sometimes hot air Sometimes misplaced bravado But sometimes, just happiness which makes the pit in the bottom of my stomach feel even more isolated from the rest of my body

Sometimes the emptiness feels good like the gnarl of a hungry stomach but in truth, it feels better to eat so I wonder how I can feed the vacancy that weighs me down on days that are otherwise good

For an introvert, companionship can be overrated in that its constancy is unnecessary What really matters is the quality of time together, more than the quantity

Less is more as a lifestyle starts to feed the hunger but sometimes that hunger isn’t yearning for sustenance, it just wants more space

So empty yet, many days, so fulfilled

© Jonathan Greene 2020

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Poetry
Self
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Introvert
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