The Struggle Between Quantity Versus Quality

in #lifestory7 years ago (edited)

Ah, what a nice topic when you finally reached the point in your life, where you know that larger, faster and more is not the synonymous with better. Yes, I finally got it! I am learning everyday to be content with less than more.

Often, in the pursuit of quantity we might cheat ourselves of quality. When you focus on the valuable quality, all your life experiences can be very meaningful.

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First thoughts about our steemit community

I came across an interesting article discussing Quantity Always Trumps Quality, written by Jeff Atwood and a few other thoughts which brings me to our community of course. I am reading tons of blogs daily, finding a lot of valuable quality content but sometimes I feel that some authors don't put enough focus on unique, more creative topics. I am not saying that my blog is perfect and interesting enough for everybody, even though I try hard to please more members as well as high power whales but I would like to see influential voters recognizing the ones they do deliver off mainstream stories. I spend hours to find and support you but sometimes we need to take a break and unfortunately I overlook a lot of great posts and members.

"Cutting those "edges" more, if you can!" 

Image Julian Moore from Pinterest to keep you reading.....

Look back to some of the experiences you’ve had on steemit for example. 

How often did you start reading some blogs and stop because you feel wasting your time. Please don't take me wrong because its hard to judge whats good content and what is not, whats interesting for one might be boring for another. We all can only try our best. 

I see daily that people follow me but some also unfollow again, wondering what is the reason to quit me. 

I wish I would know. 

Go to a blog with someone who has 3-10 000 posts, that’s pretty intense, but do you actually go through and judge each one? No way!

What impresses you more, a portfolio full of 100 different successful projects, or a portfolio full of 5 projects? Most of the time, we don’t even look at the quality when we come across large portfolios. How about a software company with dozens of logos of satisfied clients, tons of white papers, lots of blog posts…. Jeez, just writing that makes me believe in their abilities. (On brick at a time folks….)On top of that, the more you do something, the better you’re going to get at it. Even if it’s wrong, the act of repetition allows you to iterate and improve your process.- Source 

Something you always should keep in mind whatever you do!

Image Source 

Second thoughts and a personal life story

I get my daily inspiration from the Daily Ohm series in my email by Madisyn Taylor and found her newsletter on that same topic where she wrote : 

The media shapes us and we are told that we need to find more time, more possessions, and more love to be truly happy. A smaller quantity of anything that is high in quality will almost always be more satisfying. A single piece of our favorite chocolate or a thin spread of freshly made preserves can satisfy us more than a full bucket of a product that we aren't very fond of. Similarly, one fulfilling experience can eclipse many empty moments strung together. It is not the quantity of time that matters, but the quality that you experience during each moment. Every minute is an opportunity to love yourself and others, develop confidence and self-respect, and exhibit courage. 

We do live in an age of quantity but for me the more I owe, the more it turns into a burden and too much responsibility to maintain it all and this is causing unnecessary, sickening stress. 

I might sound like one of those who prefer to run away from responsibilities and in some ways I do. My family criticised me quite a bit, saying that I take life too easy but thats not true at all. I just set my priorities what quality of life means to me, what feels right and what path I should take. Its not easy at all to live abroad as much as I did. 

People who stay in one place, have only one job for their whole life will never understand. Travelling opens your mind and will make you more flexible, even patient and understanding. 

Less is more! OH well, is it? 

Image Source 

When I came to Europe, I made a promise to myself that I will not feel into the trap to accumulate more and more again, to end up a hoarder. Less is more for me, indeed and I do believe this with all my heart. 

I do love beautiful things but it doesn't have to be a Jaguar E or a Mercedes, even though I had that dream to owe one. I also wanted many other fancy things but I succeeded to experience a lot of it in different ways. Thats good enough for me. The convenient subway is right in-front of my flat and it takes me wherever I need to go.

Damn beauty though:)

 

Image Source by Pinterest

I had many cars, motorbikes, bicycles, a factory loft in midtown Manhattan, luxury villas with pool in Bali, an awesome walk up in the heart of Paris, even a Warehouse as an event venue and many other wonderful or interesting homes around the globe. 

Riding My Toyota FJ 40 Landcruiser, A Daily Joy

Hells Kitchen, NYC

I fulfilled most of my dreams through "hard" and very fun work but what did I keep at the end? 

Its all gone and I do not regret to give it up but sad when I lost what  valued. If I would have stayed in one spot, I wouldn't have seen nor experienced different cultures as I did, wouldn't have met colourful people in various countries I lived. 

I wouldn't know how it feels to fall and get up again. You can loose one precious thing but something else will wait already around the corner. You just have to go and look. 

I always wanted to have a warehouse for cool events and I did - Event Venue in Bali for 2 years

Every time I moved out of one place to find a new home (I did it uncountable times ), I ended up sitting infront of a mountain of stuff making me super nervouse, asking myself how much do we actually need? Not much! 

Too much!

A place to sleep under a safe roof, healthy food, supportive friends/family and self-confidence to handle the place out of your comfort zone and our health of course.

Last home in Bali and a true comfort zone everybody would wish for.

I was lucky that my family had a flat ready for me and I made it my new humble, maybe temporary home, I also could share with my guests. I feel gratitude every day for this opportunity. I lived in so much luxury past years, had to lower my usual standard and quite high demands but I am thankful what the universe provided for me, so far.  

New challenges motivated me to build a different lifestyle and exciting new adventures ahead. I am mostly living in the presence and make the best out of it without too much negative input nor drama sometimes people cause around me. I prefer to stop worrying about the future, it became my daily goal. 

I came to Vienna last September with one suitcase, filled with 23kg of my most important belongings. I arrived in my flip flops at Vienna airport, getting my first boots since years in a near by shopping mall, a pair of sneakers followed. Regular visits at various high end flea-markets provided for the scarves, sweaters and jackets. I only got what I really needed to get through my first freezing winter in Europe and now my Bali flip flops are handy again for the warm sommer.   

I left a few valuable things back in Bali in our house after dancing around a fire in the back of the garden where I burnt all unnecessary items, especially tons of papers kept in folders for years from my office. It was so liberating!

Freedom ahead, shedding some tears over my terra cotta statues, wooden buddhas, vintage movie posters and of course all flowers I planted in our tropical garden, I wish I could take with me. Lost love!

Home in Sanur for many years in Bali

The hardest "life-quality" to leave behind were the daily cuddles from my pets. 

First I thought it will be impossible to be happy without my paintings, pictures, tons of shoes, bags, sarongs, jewellery and all that stuff you collect over many years but it felt good to give some away to the near by school. 

 

My Jimi Hendrix poster I would never give up ever is stored safely and waiting to be shipped. 

Something really awesome happened those past months. I have learnt a huge lesson. 

My memories will always be kept in my mind but now I finally feel light like a feather, without all material "clutter". 

Ultimately, it is not how much you have or do but what you make of each moment that counts.  


There are many more such personal stories in my blog and its always a joy to see new followers. 

Follow @mammasitta

Join my steemit.chat group to post your links

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the struggle between quality versus quantity is a daily battle. thanks for sharing your journey, and you have been brave. it is not easy to let go. the only thing i feel is important is that we shouldn't change for others, be yourself, be unique :)

Those are beautiful words and it feels good that you understood the in-between lines, its a battle indeed and some questions if my choices are right. I don't know. We need to stop comparing what others have. It helps.

I truly meant it because I have personally felt it as well. Thanks again for sharing your journey, it was intimate and inspiring. We are humans, each day is a battle. But we only come out stronger or wiser or both :) You are doing great, good day!

Yeah that dilemma is real. I try to stick with quality. I have a few good posts ideas outside of my normal financial stuff that I can't seem to get down on paper of late.

Being I don't want to just post nonsense I did partake in the latest Meme challenge so I could atleast stay active some.....creative juice ebbs and flows I suppose

Yeah I hear you. I am sometimes a bit random and keep it shorter but once in a while I just need to let go and write as long as I feel like. The short mediocre posts in my opinion always seem to do so much better.
This time I tried something different. I followed 2 different thoughts, a general one reg steemit adding my personal story at the end.
I like your blog , even though I overlook so much recently because I catch myself burning out being online for too much.

Yes, I hear that. I find myself trying to catch up with everyone's posts that I follow whenever I log on.

Hmmmm. Very interesting. First of all, I love the cat pic! I love kitties!

But to comment on your post; I have always leaned more toward quality first. Would one rather have 1,000 rotten apples or a few really sweet, succulent, juicy, crunchy, delicious apples?

Digress: "Wow. I think I'll go get an apple now."

Ok I'm back.

But do you see my point?

When there's quality, only then is quantity valuable.

My 2 cents...

I get your point and might just go and take 2 peaches , juicy, healthy sweet sour peaches I didn't enjoy back in Bali for years:)

Uhmmmm quality quality!

Finally I do understand the difference :)

Amazing story of courage and change. Sometimes I think we can get caught up doing the safe thing, and never reach for our dreams for fear of failure. I found something similar to Bali on Roatan Island. I'm dreaming of those simple moments, hopefully they are around the corner. Thank you for sharing this introspective and powerful post!!

Resteeming but it's a long read for now I will get back to you when I read it fully I wanted to add a video, you can probably find some good ones if you study into the Japaneese culture, you will see their "minimal" way, where they take less and enjoy the silence more, appreciate more of the little things and place attention on the "expression" rather than the luxury and bling.

Westerners in general like to be dazzled and a lot of it. I think all of that shopping and glossy produce is testament to that, and the light everywhere :D

You are so right on what I am attracted to. No bling please but you see it everywhere, more than ever it seems, especially in fashion at the moment. Glitter shoes, bags and gold versus diamonds.
Agrrrr !
BTW, I did not expect that many people will go through my personal story because it is quite long indeed. I am glad it stays in the blockchain forever.
I might try some minimal post next 👻 Hahha!

I'm just doing a few things and I don't have the half an hour to take right now, but reading is interesting and I'm trying to make it in a specialty of mine :D still I'd like to actually see what you are talking about and the context, that requires some attention, that I'm missing at the moment :D it's dark already and I'm not in the mood of thinking :D

I have to say longer post are interesting because of the "difficulty" more because of the story and the experience within :)

I feel like you many times. stop thinking and writing and take some time out. You said so much already

Upvoted und resteemed meine liebe :-) Beste Grüsse aus Berlin.

Ach wie schoen @welovesteemit and this for a very long time from day 1 !!! Danke!

Sehr gerne @mammasitta :-) Sieht man, der Artikel ist mit sehr viel Liebe gemacht :-)

Na und ob und freut mich dass Du es erkannt hast :) Liebe und mehr Liebe

@mammasitta, I love your simple way of life.

Truly, it is not about quantity, but quality.

You were one of those who inspired me here.

I'll be expecting more of your lovely posts.

Awww, It was not always simple :) but over the years, I embraced my lessons because I lost or gave up a lot ! Priorities started shifting.

Life is always filled with lessons.

Thanks for sharing.

thank you for letting Bali as a part of your life. as a Balinese i am proud of my island.

How wonderful, keren sekali to meet somebody dari Bali indah. I can never forget my incredible time and many years there.

terimakasih masih mengingat Bali. come back to Balo of you have a chance. really like to talk to foreginer who have stay or visit Bali to know what they think of Bali.

suksma. 🙏🙏🙏

Mewali! I let you know when I will be back . Probably in September for 2 bulan. I miss it too much. I wrote many articles about Bali if you scroll down you might find someone interesting

how long you had been in Bali?
nice, let me know if you are coming to Bali. .🙏🙏🙏

16 tahun :)

woaaaaa lama sekali. . . setengah lebih dari umur saya. .

Very well written! I love your consciousness about blogging and just using digital media in general. Wish you good luck! Up vote and resteem!

Thanks always for your feedback. I was not sure what front picture I should use. I am still not sure. Whats your opinion? Its mostly a personal story but wanted to give a general inspiring message.

You mean like your profile photo or? Sorry ,I didn' t get it haha

noooo, the main photo of this content, bit impersonal ? is it ? BTW , I hope my Resteem helped a bit for your nice article about water

Thanks so much for that, I didn't notice it! :)
I think your main photo is good enough, says clearly about your content, and can serve as a nice inteoduction! I personally think that your writing is really good,and people are recognizing it here.. So, I wouldn't worry too much about photos(when you write content as this one is), as the writing is good enough to emphasize your qualities!

We seem to slide more and more towards wanting to have more and more. Maybe with some changes from generation to generation (ie the new generation may not want to own a car, but rent one when needed; but then they want to own 10 sunglasses) but we are somehow pushed in wanting more and more materialistic things. I think it is a process to get rid of that idea and then actually effectuate it. It starts with wanting to want to have less. Great to see that you are getting towards the implementation of having little material possessions, I indeed think it takes some of the burden of life away.

Quality over Quantity: Absolutely!

It would indeed be great of this will also become more and more the culture on Steemit. Quantity of posts will increase automatically when the number of active users is increasing, so less posts per user is not at all that bad. Respecting better quality posts by giving them attention with reads, comments as well as votes, that would be a great thing; Certainly, some of the quality is recognised, but a lot of quality stays unorganised.

More Respect for off main stream topics

I wish indeed Steemit could be a place for any topic in the world. The service doesn't block posting and commenting, however the recognition is sometimes not there (I just made an understatement here :))

I am so glad to see your very valuable comment extending my thoughts.
It's a topic I am constantly struggling with because it's hard to stand up and behind my new approach for life. At the same time I do need to please my urge for luxury I also like.
All overall I am attracted to minimalism and quality of simple life and appreciating it to drift away from the image we are pressured to keep, especially in the western cultures.

Sounds you are on a good journey. It takes time, but I'm sure the road is going a good direction with more quality, and less unnecessary things. My first steps where to every second year to go through my belongings and at least throw away some of it. Still have a LOT though.

Voila !! 💃👻

Wow, your words connected with me. I want to share something that helped me understand quality over quantity in my life:

Success is an answer
To this question:
Do I love my life?

So... I am a success because I maintain love for my life, and not because I acquire, achieve or amass a lot of things.

I do love my life so far! I am thankful for your feedback and as we say in German : "Der Weg ist das Ziel" Your path is our goal and memories we collect on our way, not stuff! It's one of the most difficult lessons to learn for me because it seems people judge you and your success on material things we owe. Isn't it ? So, I try to find my kind of people who think alike. This is also very difficult

That's true, a lot of people do judge you based on how much you have. Well , not everyone does that. I found that I had no one I could connect with because of how quick some people are to judge you. But if we stay true to ourselves, we will meet someone who thinks alike.

It's funny because when they think that I'm not happy because I don't own a lot of things, I'm actually very happy! I'll be happy even after I increase wealth, because it's not the wealth that makes me happy. I'm happy because I maintain love for my life.

You found one who is like you :)

True :)

I would say this post had a large amount of quantity and quality

That's very kind of you to say. I know it's a bit long but sometimes I just can't stop letting it all out.

Let it ALL out! You came to the right place :)

True that but my next post will be as short than ever hahaha

but I'm sure it will still contain loads of quality content :)

That's nice to say 🌺

Sorry could not get passed Julian Moore!

Cut those edges 😜
Did she stop you ?

All redheads get a stop and look!

Hahaha ! Exactly!
I am brunette and couldn't stop looking

You have spoken some very true words (On top of that, the more you do something, the better you’re going to get at it. Even if it’s wrong, the act of repetition allows you to iterate)
Let's hope everyone I'm here is trying its best or will try harder after reading your posts
I am your new follower
If you'd like to follow me me would be great
Many thanks for sharing with us some truth

Its my pleasure to meet so many interesting new members like you. Thank you for your time to comment and pick out a dear part in my story. You also got a new follower today :)

I absolutely agree with your view on travel. Travel is THE BEST education. I have a difficult time taking those people who have never left their hometown seriously!

About a year ago my "stuff" had a mass exodus. It was surprisingly difficult to get rid of so much! But, after the collective anxiety dust settled, I realized I was... more at peace. It was an interesting observation.

As a writer I am now focused on the "less is more" with my work. That, too, is difficult, but the journey can only be rewarding.

My apology to reply late. I really appreciate your valuable feedback and it's a pleasure to see new "faces" on my blog. I go through those rollercoaster emotions. Some days I feel like crying missing some stuff but it passes fast remembering how light I feel 🐬🦋
nice to meet you

I know what you mean! And every once in a while you shake your head because you can't believe you got rid of THAT. lol

Wonderful to meet you as well!

You are absolutly right and I am even crying crocodile tears 😭 it's a part of the fun 🙈

You deserved my full power vote 🐷

YES

Thank you!

My pleasure. Looking out for your articles

I think to some extent it depends on your 'status' in the community.

As a minnow, you need reasonable quantity to get noticed, but you want that to be of a decent quality at least.

Ranked in the 70s and you can literally stick a photo of your dogs doings and take $500 - I seen it recently!

It's true and I have seen many crazy things here but as everywhere and all part of our lives. It always comes down to the same : who do you know and how lucky are you

Yep! Well I know not many (any!) big fish but I'm feeling kinda lucky! It is about time I made a post though, been lost in comments land for days!

We are all cruising and drifting in-between reading and writing at the right time. I love this place a lot and it keeps me coming back quickly when I find myself leaving it. FOMO , fear to miss out hehehe ! its a nice addiction because its pushing us to be creative

Even as an advocate for quality over quantity, I must say it takes a lot of will power to be able to stick and live by that philosophy.

Thanks for sharing your personal story. We've been conditioned to love and crave for the finer things of life but we really don't have to hold on to everything. I think we should all experience these things and move on to the next experience!

Oh dear and oh yes! It is a struggle and constant persuasion, more in Europe than it was in Indonesia but at least it's a good start of change. I said it before that I am craving for minimalism and only succeeded in wearing mostly black but my homes always ended up " too much" of everything. It got better over the years though and especially coming with age somehow.

Your post truly justifies the post title.
I love this quote in your post very much" the more you do something, the better you’re going to get at it. Even if it’s wrong, the act of repetition allows you to iterate and improve your process."

It's really interesting to see that everybody is catching on a different part in an article:)
It was a long one this time

I was so indulged in the post that time flew so fast when I reached the end. You are really a great writer.

I am blushing because I never thought of myself a writer but a life artist and breathing in and out being ☺️

Ya..mamma, kualitas untuk jangka panjang...(quality is for long term). Nice!

That's a very good point. We can't take anything with us to the other side of that rainbow bridge. Better enjoy quality lifestyle.

I don't see any debate here.. just do what I did and consistently deliver quality and quantity content. I only sleep for 1 hour a day. The brightest sparks die the fastest.

That's for sure not enough sleep for me 🙉 but I manage to hang in there since 8 months .
I was not expecting to debate

Yes! Simple quality and cool photos... no need to ever over indulge.

hey, hey, I see you are new and i am thankful for your feedback and comment. wishing you best of time here with us

What a beautiful and inspiring post... I have travelled most of my life too and seen many things and lived many types of ways. All this has taught me many valuable lessons and the most important one is that it isn't things that make you happy, only you can make you happy.

It's such basic knowledge but it takes some time to really understand 🌺

Yes and our modern society seems to have forgotten such a basic tenant of existence for the most part. It does seem that this is turning around a little now though, slowly but surely.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful and meaningful set of insights.

Much of my own perspective is colored by working as the "curator" owner of two art galleries, once for almost 15 years, more recently still young, at a year old.

The task of the curator is to seek out the best, most moving, most appropriate for a given show; or simply to be part of what "represents" the gallery's overall image. Now, that's not a claim to expertise... merely to choosing a certain quality from quantity... at times, we are offered more art for sale in a week than we could hope to sell in a month.

To get back to your post, we are-- in essence-- the "curators" of our lives. Whereas society may pressure us to always seek "more" (quantity), that tends to just create an accumulation, not an actual collection that is meaningful to us.

Of course, things change. Life is not static. We, as people, are not static... what "mattered" when we were 20 does not matter when we are 50. Or maybe some of it matters... but mostly, with experience (not just "age") comes what you experienced in Bali: feeling a certain "liberation" from burning certain "anchors" that keep us tied to the past.

I've always preferred "quality," even as a youth. For all his other dubious qualities, my father taught me that "if you have a choice between several mediocre options and ONE perfect option, always choose the best quality. You'll never go wrong."

He was right.

Excellent post, thank you!

This is one of the most beautiful comments I ever read on one of my posts and I truly appreciate your sincere thoughts, valuable human quality and deep understanding.
Thank you so much!
Your father and also mine were right " Nothing but the Best" whatever that might be for each of us.
When you reach a point, where you feel stuck, you better burn the past and move on.
Nice to meet you!

Congratulations! this comment won the Comment of the Day #21!! check out the contest post here.

Latest contest post is here

Please consider heading over and nominate some comments you think deserving of the same honor!!

You were nominated by @jznsamuel

I totally agree about unnecessary things. It's like ballast. Like a suitcase without a handle - throw a pity, and pull hard. But as soon as we are able to get rid of this clutter, you immediately feel the freedom. I hear You about the " one suitcase to Europe." It is a pity that with age comes the realization that this is not important and meaningful in life. I a few years ago came to the conclusion that just as You can move with only one suitcase. And will never regret it. But in General...Bravo @mammasitta ! I applaud You standing up! Thanks for Your posts.

One suitcase is not much and its not that easy but I am surprisingly doing just fine. I have more than I need once again haha .....Thanks for your kindness and motivation to hang in there.

Congratulations! this comment won the Comment of the Day #21!! check out the contest post here.

Latest contest post is here.

Please consider heading over and nominate some comments you think deserving of the same honor!!

You were nominated by @jznsamuel

What a wonderful personal story! I have lots of stuff, but then I'm one of those people who uses stuff to fix other stuff and you never know what you will need to fix and what it will take to fix it, so everything can come in handy! Where I don't want a lot of stuff is that I don't wish to overwhelm my followers with too many posts, so I only post when I think I have something that will either interest others or will help them.

Hahaha This sounds like me many years ago but the first time I lost all my stuff moving from New York to Bali ( 9/11 story I wrote somewhere earlier ) I stopped collecting too much. Oh well Bali was not a good start actually because I couldn't resist with all the beautiful handicraft and more stuff :)
I will check your posts out for sure and please put your link in my steemit chat group #mammasittas that I don't overlook them. I enjoy supporting my followers

OK, so here is where I claim ignorance. I clicked the #mammasittas link and got a message saying there was no new trending items to follow. I have yet to understand what the hash tag is used for and how to join any of the groups that have been created on here. How/where do I put my link? Sorry for my ignorance but I'm trying to absorb as much as I can and have been spending way too much time on learning and posting what I have learned, yet there is still so much more to learn.

https://steemit.chat/channel/mammasittas
This is the correct link for the steemit.chat group you could join to post your links.
There are many more groups in steemit.chat you can find in your drop down menu in the top of your profile
I know its a lot of new learning here and it also took me weeks , actually months to find out.
I am more than happy to help you. You also have the option to Direct Message ( DM ) on this chat

Thanks! I think I posted a DM (I'm used to calling it a PM for Private Message) and a public message on it now.

Great! Sometimes I just need to take myself offline 😜 Feeling overwhelmed

I know the feeling well. I'm not getting enough sleep since finding Steemit and I'm neglecting most of my obligations. Today I forced myself to get something other than Steemit-related work done. I spent all day organizing files and sending e-mails out to volunteers. I volunteered to be the captain of 3 teams of volunteers for our international bicycle races in May and I needed to get that started. Now I'll be getting all the replies and I'll need to update my records as they come in. Then 3 days out on the road coaching and looking after the volunteers. It's a lot of work, but its also fun and contributes to the greater good.

Beautifully written, @mammasitta! <3 I wish you a life of the very best quality, but may it also be peppered with hugs in great quantity :)

OMG that's so sweet and your words so true to capture my secret wishes 🌺 @bombaybellyrina

So happy to read your post. I wrote a heart felt comment it didn't show up. I must have forgot to push the button. Well those words are gone, all I can say is in a way we are kindred souls. Nice to meet you.. I see this post is 2 months old and I am so glad to have found it and you. :) @mammasitta

Wonderful you found it and I found you !!!!

Quality. Always!

Yes yes yes but that's so subjective because Whats quality for me might be different for others

nice post @mammasitta

Terimakasi Silvia

What an awesome adventure your life has been so far, I wish you more adventures and less baggage🙏🌀