The Psychology of your 20s 293. Why are we never happy with what we have?
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May 6, 2025 Why does satisfaction always seem elusive? This discussion dives into the psychology behind our endless craving for more, whether it's success or possessions. Topics include the Hedonic Treadmill, arrival fallacy, and the impact of consumerism on happiness. The dangers of 'when...then' thinking are explored, revealing how it leads to dissatisfaction. Listeners are encouraged to cherish the present and redefine success beyond material achievements. Ultimately, it’s about finding joy in experiences rather than things.
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Why We're Never Happy with What We Have
- Humans are wired for constant dissatisfaction, always craving more beyond what they've achieved.
- This stems from the "more, more, more" mentality where happiness resets after each success.
Hedonic Adaptation Explained
- Humans return to a stable baseline happiness after positive events, a process called hedonic adaptation.
- This explains why big achievements feel less fulfilling over time and why we constantly reset our happiness expectations.
Dopamine Fuels Anticipation, Not Joy
- Dopamine spikes in anticipation of a reward, not the reward itself, creating a cycle of chasing the 'almost'.
- This leads to addiction to goal-setting rather than fulfillment from achievement.
