10 Ways To Improve Your Life Today Without A Passport

Updated 11 years ago, January 1, 2014

The lifestyle of the Jet Set Pauper is not simply about international travel, champagne lunches, and 4-ply cashmere knit sweaters. These things are all very dear to him, but the Jet Set Pauper’s true raison d’être is exploration for the sake of self-improvement and wonderment. He values freedom above money, knowledge over amusement, experience over banality.

In the quest to be the best person that you can be, here are ten starting points from which to begin your journey.

Treat your body as a temple

Put down that bag of Doritos and pick up a dumbbell. There is no reason to poison yourself with sugar and empty calories. Everything you put into your body should nourish you – whether it’s full of antioxidants to maintain a youthful glow or protein to keep you lean. Sure that Magnolia cupcake may be delicious, but save it for a special occasion rather than every time you walk by the bakery. With the money you save on frivolous foodstuffs, get a yoga studio or gym membership.

Don’t waste more than an hour a day on non-edifying activities

It’s easy to get stoned and spend all day watching Orange is the New Black. But that doesn’t mean you should do it. Make a quest for self-improvement and dedicate yourself to learning – whether it’s reading a novel that can enrich your mind, or spending time with Rosetta Stone to finally master Italian.

Listen to Cher

Because she’s the ultimate diva, a survivor, and you will be more fabulous just by association.

Save all your receipts

If you’re self-employed and/or a freelancer, nearly everything is a tax deduction. Even if you’re not, it can be useful to evaluate how much you’re spending and where you’re spending it.

De-clutter

Keeping lots of useless crap around will make it difficult to focus and leave you feeling trapped (maybe literally if you’re a hoarder and have stacks of rubbish barricading the door). Every few months, assess your possessions and get rid of anything you don’t need and aren’t using. Do this figuratively in your life as well – let go of past notions and relationships which aren’t serving you and reinvent yourself continually.

Get enough sleep and don’t skip breakfast

Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on your physical appearance and diminishes your productivity as you wander somnambulantly in a fog of exhaustion counter-balanced with over-caffeination. As for breakfast, skipping it will not help you lose weight, only the opposite as it is essential for metabolism to properly restart.

Stop worrying so much

Yes, youth is a difficult time of self-doubt – will you ever get a job? Will anyone love you? Will you find meaning in life? Stop fixating on these questions and just start living to the fullest extent possible. Or go to your doctor and get a prescription for Klonopin.

Don’t spend any time on negativity

Outward negativity is only a projection of self-loathing. If you exude an aura of negativity, you will attract more negativity until your life is a cesspool of black. Banish negative thoughts from your mind completely and try to find the positive in every situation – the more you practice this, the more naturally it comes.

Be indulgent

You don’t have to have a reason to treat yourself well, just do it as a form of appreciation for your body. Take a bath, go to the spa, do something for yourself that makes you feel good and brings pleasure to your life. You’ll be in a better state of mind to help others, create, and generally function.