Deprivation

By: Michael Beiter

In The Wisdom Of Frugality, Emrys Westacott writes:

"Common sense still suggests that some experiences of deprivation strengthen our ability to cope with adversity and that this is a good quality to possess even if we are unlikely to find ourselves destitute. For accustoming oneself to occasional deprivation does more than prepare one for serious setbacks such as sudden poverty. By injecting a little extra steel into the soul, it can perhaps also help one to cope more cheerfully with the sort of smaller discomforts, disappointments, and setbacks that punctuate the days and weeks of everyone - the car breaking down, getting caught in the rain, missing lunch, and so on. Given how frequent such happenings are, this is not such a small thing."

Deprivation of modern comforts like sedentism, unlimited food, and media, as well as things like driving, flying, and instant messaging, are helpful to teach us how much less we really need.

Practicing deprivation via diet and movement makes family, work, social, and civil life easier. A snide comment from a co-worker or a delayed travel schedule is easy to handle once you've grown accustomed to high-rep squats and calorie deficits.