Why "Modern Diogenes?"

Diogenes the Cynic was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived a very ascetic lifestyle and is known as one of the founders of cynicism. He was famous for shunning social norms at the time, rejecting materialism, and considered himself a "citizen of the world." He lived a poor lifestyle and embraced a life of self sufficiency. His sharp mind and scathing critiques of social conventions were his trademark.

I chose Diogenes to be the model to which I've decided to live my life. As an autistic adult who has struggled with maintaining jobs, adhering to social rules, and suffering great amounts of anxiety and depression from trying to fit in with the societal systems here in the US, I've made the conscious decision to remove myself as much as possible from the society that was not designed to accommodate people like me.

Along with a healthy dose of Taoism's views on letting go and "being like water," and the concepts of wabi-sabi (seeing beauty in flaws) and wu wei (effortless action or actionless action), my aim is to embrace being a "loser" and let my life take its natural course. By living simply, wanting for nothing but the basics for maintaining life, and striving for peace and calmness instead of success or ambition, I aim to make my life mine.