🧗 OIJ (#11) A Guide to Becoming Miserable ft. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Discover the path to unhappiness: A step-by-step journey into Mozart's financial and emotional turmoil

Alejandro Yela

Aug 27, 2024

My dear fellow Hermits 👋

Welcome back to 🧙‍♂️ The Hermit 🧙‍♂️

ICYMI:

🎧 The Hermit Podcast: Gismondi Interview w/ CEO

📝 Company Updates: Century Casinos Q2 2024 Update

🧗 Our Investing Journey: Deep dive into “The Japanese Lost Decade”

If you haven’t yet, subscribe to get access to this post, and every new post

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an absolute rockstar of his time, no doubt about it. He didn’t just play music; he defined an era with his genius.

I’m a huge fan of his brilliance, but let’s be real - Mozart wasn’t exactly a financial wizard. The guy lived like he had a money tree in his backyard, splurging way beyond what his bank account could handle.

Consider this a playful jab at the fact that even geniuses can be a bit clueless when it comes to balancing the books.

How to Guide on: Becoming Miserable

🎻 Step 1 - Start Young, but Make Sure It's Not Enough 👑

Begin your journey to misery by showcasing your talent at a young age. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a child prodigy, performing for royalty and dazzling audiences across Europe.

But don’t worry - early fame doesn’t guarantee happiness. In fact, it’s the perfect foundation for future frustration.

Make sure your parents push you hard, setting the expectation that your brilliance is the only thing that matters

✈️ Step 2 - Rebel Against Your Own Interests 💼

Once you've grown tired of your secure job that doesn’t pay much but offers stability, it’s time to rebel. Mozart did this perfectly when he left his steady position at the Salzburg court.

Seek out a place where you can be "free" to create, but where financial uncertainty is the norm - Vienna is a great choice!

The excitement of potential success combined with the constant pressure of needing to make ends meet is a surefire recipe for anxiety and despair

💎 Step 3 - Cultivate Expensive Tastes 🏰

Even if your income is unstable, don’t let that stop you from developing a taste for the finer things in life.

Mozart loved luxury - fancy clothes, lavish apartments, and extravagant social gatherings. It’s important to always live beyond your means; this will ensure that no matter how much you earn, it’s never enough.

Debt will soon become a close companion, adding that extra layer of delicious stress to your life

🎟️ Step 4 - Depend on Uncertain Income 🎹

Freelancing is key to financial instability. Like Mozart, rely on commissions, concerts, and teaching to pay the bills, but make sure these gigs are as unpredictable as possible.

The thrill of never knowing where your next paycheck is coming from is a quick route to misery.

If possible, take on big projects that don’t pay immediately, so you can experience the joy of being both overworked and underpaid

A hyperrealistic scene of Mozart composing in a dimly lit, cluttered room with sheets of music scattered around. Mozart is at a grand piano, focused and deeply immersed in his work. The scene is depicted with a slight Dutch angle, adding a dynamic perspective. The wide aspect ratio captures a panoramic view of the room, including neatly stacked papers, a quill and ink, a warm candle casting gentle shadows, and simple, elegant furniture. Mozart's hands are poised over the piano keys, his face showing calm concentration and thoughtful expression. His wig is slightly tousled, and his eyes are focused, reflecting his dedication to the music. The background features a window with heavy curtains slightly parted, letting in soft moonlight. The atmosphere is calm and creative, with a sense of peaceful genius and the quiet intensity of Mozart's work.

📝 Step 5 - Ignore the Need for a Financial Plan 🚫

Planning is for those who want to avoid misery. Mozart didn’t bother with a financial plan, so neither should you.

Spend freely, borrow when necessary, and never think about long-term security.

When things get tough, write letters to friends begging for loans. It’s a wonderful way to erode your self-esteem and strain relationships

🤒 Step 6 - Work Relentlessly Even When Sick 🎼

When your health starts to decline - probably due to stress, overwork, and poor living conditions - don't slow down.

Like Mozart, who continued to compose even when gravely ill, push yourself to the limit. The combination of physical exhaustion and financial worry will intensify your misery.

Plus, working while sick ensures that you’ll never recover fully, keeping you in a state of perpetual weakness

😃 Step 7 - Die Young and in Debt ⚰️

To truly embrace misery, aim to die young and leave behind a mountain of debt.

Mozart passed away at the age of 35, heavily in debt and without the financial security to provide for his family.

His early death ensured that he never saw the long-term success and recognition he deserved, cementing his life as a tale of unfulfilled potential and constant struggle

🕯️ Bonus Tip: Leave Behind a Legacy of Regret 💔

If you follow these steps closely, you’ll not only achieve misery in your lifetime, but you’ll also ensure that those who love you are left to pick up the pieces.

Like Mozart's widow, Constanze, your loved ones can spend years trying to salvage your legacy and financial mess

🙏 Feel free to ❤️ and comment so that more people can discover and enjoy this Substack 😇