As a child, Anais Nin experienced poverty after her father left his family, and her mother had to make sacrifices after being left on her own with three kids. Anais feels that the fewer possessions she has, the richer she feels, so she seeks poverty, as all real artists do. She's not sure why - does it bring her nearer to spiritual values? Is it because she was born under the sign of Pisces, the giver? She surrenders possessions and luxuries so that those around her can have paper and a typewriter and paint and food so they have hope and life and can create.
She keeps only what is necessary to her creativity. It creates a light atmosphere, order, to have not one useless, superfluous object. She gives away everything she doesn't need so that nothing accumulates or weighs her down. It gives her a religious pleasure to give; she gives with love, and this gives it meaning.
Anais is moving to a cheaper place. She has denied herself vacations, luxuries, and clothes. Sacrifices. Anais feels this is especially difficult for her because she feels her body was built for luxury. Her throat hurts if she smokes a cheap cigarette. She gets sick if she drinks cheap wine. Her skin spoils if she uses cheap beauty products. However, she still has the maid... Some things can't be sacrificed. The maid frees up her time from doing household chores so that she can write in the Diary.
What have you given up and why? What things can't you give up?
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