I intentionally do things to make it a bit uncomfortable to keep my edge:

>Drive an old car ('95) without air conditioning

I could get the air conditioning fixed but nah
It could break down at any moment, that unpredictability gives it some zest

>Have slept on a thin mattress on an uncarpeted wooden floor for years

I could get a nice plush bed like most normal people do
But the 90% comfort / 10% non-comfort of sleeping on the floor hits just right

>One meal a day (OMAD)

Could eat 3 full meals a day like most people do
But that slight hunger throughout the day from only having one meal and never being completely satiated keeps you fresh

>Prickish adversarial/argumentative personality means not being liked and always being on your own

Could be nice and friendly which would make getting along with others and most encounters easy going
But you lose your edge is you're a nice guy
Being a heel who is disliked keeps your edge so you don't become complacent because you'll always have haters and enemies

The 95 car is way less likely to break down than todays trash

Smugness intensifies

If things were just a little bit worse, we would be motivated to make them much better for ourselves.


Gotta maintain personal goals and stay grounded. Find a sense of purpose that is not dependent on any type of external relationship, like a job or a woman.

When you know yourself, you will be naturally compelled to give yourself what you need, regardless of external pressure.

You've kept your edge so long that you've become a certified edgelord.