The Simple Things

My Indulgences at Austin Texas

I really enjoy the little things.

In my free week, I sequestered myself in Austin, Texas, situating myself in a studio east of downtown along a road of open air bars.

Having no obligations to do anything, I go about my day however I like.

After hundreds of pull ups, pushups, and squats in a shoebox apartment gym, I babysit a cappuccino in a warehouse-converted-to-a cafe.

Finally having the peace to notice the texture of foam preluding the bitterness of espresso with each sip, I let my attention float aimlessly between my favorite news podcast and one of the three books I’m concurrently reading.

These moments are pure bliss.

Satisfaction does not come only after tasting blood while chewing glass and staring into the dark abyss while oscillating between euphoria and terror.

Contentment can be found in these moments; the requirement of feeling productive and achievement be damned.

After letting my attention wander, I let my physical self drift through the Texas capital, meandering down the roads with no destination in mind.

Having no need to overtake fellow pedestrians, I notice the little things: the blinking neon “Open” signs fixed to food trucks serving tacos, the electric moan of autonomous cars dropping off passengers, and the evolution of single story bars into skyscrapers as downtown nears.

I do nothing spectacular. All typical tourist recommendations are ignored as I go about the days in complete agency.

Happy hour on a Monday at a cafe beside the library? Check.

Waiting two hours for brisket from a BBQ joint on a rainy Tuesday morning? Check.

Drinking nootropics I would never buy from Whole Foods? Check.

Sitting in a Waymo for the first time? Check.

Watching movies on an already logged in Netflix account while vibe coding? Check.

For anyone else, the highlights from my Austin trip are probably confusing—they can all be done on a typical weekend in New York without any planning.

For me, these simple highlights are reminders that extend beyond vacation.

Life doesn’t have to be the complicated, stressful, and fast pace mess that it naturally becomes.

There’s no need to impress increasing pressure to make life feel worthy in its finitude.

There’s no big narrative nor alignment of destiny I must make life meet.

I can go about and enjoy the simple things whenever and wherever.