Why More Isn't Always Better
Audio Overview
A few years ago, I realized something unsettling that no matter what I achieved or acquired, the satisfaction was always temporary. I’d set a goal, work hard, reach it, and feel an initial surge of excitement but only to find myself asking, “What’s next?” almost immediately.
At first, I thought this was just ambition. But the more I paid attention, the more I noticed a pattern that was leaving me perpetually unsatisfied. Turns out, there’s a name for this. The hedonic treadmill which are the idea that no matter what happens, we eventually return to a baseline level of happiness, always craving more and more. If you’ve ever felt stuck in this cycle, you’re not alone.
The Never-Ending Chase
I remember the first time I convinced myself this thing would finally make me happy. It was a brand new phone, the one I had been obsessing over for months. When I finally got it, I was thrilled but after a few weeks, it became just another object in my life. The excitement had vanished, and I was already thinking about what else I wanted next.
The same thing happened with achievements. I worked hard to land my "dream job," thinking it would feel like I had arrived. Yet, just a few months in, I found myself setting new goals, feeling just as restless as before.
This is the hedonic treadmill in action. We convince ourselves that once we get the next promotion, the next gadget, or the next trip, we’ll finally feel satisfied. But as soon as we achieve it, our mind moves the goalpost. And the chase starts all over again.