Mind and feeling
Henry David Thoreau
Counting enough
Henry David Thoreau (United States · 1817–1862) — Counting enough.
What actually happened?
In the spring of 1845 Thoreau borrowed an axe from his friend Bronson Alcott and went down to the pond to cut white pines for the frame of his cabin. When he was done he took the axe back. He wrote that he returned it sharper than he had received it.
Turn enough into a number
He cut necessities down to four, food, shelter, clothing and fuel, and recorded what he actually spent on each. Wanting to spend less is a feeling; a ledger gives you something to compare.
Sort the last three months into food, housing, getting about and utilities.
Count the days you pay with
He worked out that a year needed only a few weeks of labour. He then used the same method on a ninety-cent train fare: a price is the part of your life you give up for it.
Before a big purchase, convert it into extra working days.
Borrow the method, not the number
He lived on a friend's land, close to town, and often ate at friends' tables. His figures had conditions of their own. What travels is the habit of counting.
Do not say 'Thoreau needed twenty-eight dollars'. Say 'what did my year cost?'
How do I use it today?
This week, sort the last three months of spending into food, housing, getting about and utilities, and write one total for each. Then ask which part is there only so as not to be outdone.
Deep read
Read alongside
Further
Lines to keep
To do less, first write the costs down.
A price is the days you will pay with.
Borrow the habit of counting, not the figures.