How would you define a successful life?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
21,613
16,887
136
In the previous two houses I lived in, no matter how much one cranked up the heating system, the house would not get comfortably warm in winter. It was a case of wearing several layers in order to feel bearably OK (in the first of those two, the computer room was once 10C on a winter's morning.... brr!).

I'm now living in a house where I can choose to turn up the heat as much as I want, though of course there's the heating bill to be paid. The important thing is that a) it works and b) I have the choice of turning up the heat if I want to. In winter I probably have the temperature set to a couple of degrees celsius higher than in the previous two houses could manage and it doesn't break the bank account (this house is much more modern and the central heating system is built adequately to suit its purpose here). Most of the time I choose to put on a decent amount of clothing rather than wasting excess money on the heating bill.

My needs are simple. They're not quite met yet, I hope they will be soon. And there's my marriage to fix.
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
133
106
In the previous two houses I lived in, no matter how much one cranked up the heating system, the house would not get comfortably warm in winter. It was a case of wearing several layers in order to feel bearably OK (in the first of those two, the computer room was once 10C on a winter's morning.... brr!).

I'm now living in a house where I can choose to turn up the heat as much as I want, though of course there's the heating bill to be paid. The important thing is that a) it works and b) I have the choice of turning up the heat if I want to. In winter I probably have the temperature set to a couple of degrees celsius higher than in the previous two houses could manage and it doesn't break the bank account (this house is much more modern and the central heating system is built adequately to suit its purpose here). Most of the time I choose to put on a decent amount of clothing rather than wasting excess money on the heating bill.

My needs are simple. They're not quite met yet, I hope they will be soon. And there's my marriage to fix.

I kind of want to nominate this for post of the year.
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Success is when you live the way you choose. Whether you want to be a hobo, a CEO, a stay at home parent, a musician, a rebel, or some combination of the above, as long as you're striving for your goals you're successful. You don't even necessarily have to attain them, as long as you're working toward them I'd say you're successful.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
My definition: I wake up every morning and go to a job which I enjoy and gives me a sense of satisfaction when it's done. I have enough money that I can travel where I want and jump when I'd like. I can enjoy a meal at the end of the day while my feet are propped up and I'm watching TV. I have people who. Enjoy spending time with and whom I can laugh with.
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
for most people happiness includes satisfying a normal biological need, and that's having offspring. That alone is not enough though.

Success is when you live the way you choose. Whether you want to be a hobo, a CEO, a stay at home parent, a musician, a rebel, or some combination of the above, as long as you're striving for your goals you're successful. You don't even necessarily have to attain them, as long as you're working toward them I'd say you're successful.
I agree with this, happiness is a derivative of a state variable.
 
Last edited: