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A Remarkable Low-Tech Business That Never Dies and Makes Us Feel Alive

Find joy and happiness in the most surprising places on Earth

Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD
4 min readDec 2, 2022
Photo courtesy of author

The simple things in life are powerful.

They help us go through the most challenging periods. They make us happy. They create memories and make life special. They make us long for more.

Luckily, Planet Earth is full of simple things.

A steaming hot bowl of ramen. Fresh buttermilk waffles. Crispy pan-fried potatoes. The “simple” food examples are countless.

A bench under the trees near a lake. A terrace in a small town. A comfortable chair with an exciting book. These places and their unique atmosphere — where you can be yourself — help us reenergize and put things in perspective.

And when we are together with other people, some beautiful and unforgettable interactions can emerge. The innocent smile of a playing child and its overexcited dog. A simple conversation about life. A game of chess in the park. These interactions help us understand the meaning of life (and our role in our world).

And sometimes, all these things — food, place, companionship — come together. So, we should cherish these unpretentious but remarkable moments. They make us feel alive.

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Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD
Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD

Written by Erik P.M. Vermeulen, PhD

Where Gen X memories meet today’s struggles.

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