Are we missing the point?

We’re surrounded by gadgets and media almost a third of our day. If we exclude the 6–8 hours of (ideal) sleep, we’re constantly glued to our devices. The moment we wake up, we’re hit with a flood of notifications. I remember when WhatsApp was new, people used to flood group chats with images, memes, and forwarded texts. Waking up to hundreds of unread messages was a sign of how 'social' you were. The more notifications you had, the more popular you seemed. It was almost like a badge of belonging. Like every other trend, that phase passed. It was replaced by newer apps, new kinds of notifications, and newer ways of seeking validation. What hasn’t changed or perhaps has only worsened is our desire to constantly be seen, to seek validation, to own more, and to curate a picture-perfect life.

Is it bad to want a good life? No, not at all. Everyone dreams of having nice things. But it becomes harmful when we’re trapped in a cycle of never feeling satisfied. When we’re more concerned about proving our worth than improving ourselves. When we’re stuck in an endless loop of showing off instead of growing.

We’re getting the education we always wanted. We’re applying to the schools we dreamt of, reaching the jobs we once admired from afar and yet, so many of us feel stuck, drained, or unhappy. Ironically, when someone actually enjoys their job or lifestyle, we mock them. As if it’s not cool to like the life you have. As if dissatisfaction is a personality trait.

But here’s the thing; it’s not a trend to hate the life you’ve built, especially when you chose it. You don’t have to constantly chase an alternate version of success just because your lack of experience in 'that other life' makes it seem shinier. Grass isn’t greener; it’s just edited better using filters!

Even back in the early days of the internet, people compared themselves with others and sought validation. But they still seemed more content. A simple job, basic education, a small house, limited resources, and fewer possessions didn’t seem to bother anyone much. People found joy in small things.

Now, we have the opposite; global education, high-paying jobs, abundant resources, expensive lifestyles but somehow, we’re running out of time. Time for ourselves. Time for loved ones. Time for the little things that once brought us joy. We keep telling ourselves: 'Once I achieve XYZ, I’ll be happy.' Is that really our own desire? or is it just society's checklist for success? A degree, a six-figure salary, a luxurious home, an attractive partner with a similar professional status, an expensive car... a never ending list it seems. Yet, everyone wants what someone else has. Someone in the arts wishes they had chosen a more conventional path. Someone working a peaceful, low-income job dreams of joining a Big X company. Meanwhile, that Big X employee dreams of quitting and becoming a travel influencer. It never ends.

The one common thread? Constant comparison. In the process, we’re killing the basics. So, what are the basics? At the end of the day, every single person wants to be loved, to be cared for, to eat good food, to sleep peacefully, and to live a healthy, meaningful life. That’s it. No matter how tech-savvy, modern, or ultra-modern we become, it’s always the basics, the simple and the mundane that bring real contentment. A walk in the park. Laugh with a friend. Sharing a quiet meal. Falling asleep without your mind racing. That’s the real stuff.

We’re constantly consuming advice on what to wear, eat, do, and how to behave from complete strangers on the internet! People with different backgrounds, different experiences, and questionable credibility. Remember when we used to get irritated when our parents or relatives asked us the same questions? Now we’re actively inviting this commentary into our lives?

Humans are strange. We abandon people out of fear. We leave places, skip moments, miss experiences only to spend the rest of our lives grieving and trying to find our way back to them. Maybe we’re just wired to live in nostalgia and longing, rather than in the moment.

Maybe it’s time to pause, unplug, and remember what truly makes us feel alive?