It is the silent illness of our times: a constant sense of dissatisfaction that grips us and prevents us from appreciating the small successes in life.
We tend to always want more and feel like something is missing, especially due to social media, which gives us direct access to other people’s lives through Instagram, Facebook, and more.
We are constantly flooded with pictures and posts saying:
“Look at me, don’t I look amazing? And you?”
“I just got a promotion! And you?”
“I have zero cellulite! And you?”
“Hooray! And you?”
Other people’s lives invade our screens (smartphones), always filtered, idealized, and presented as perfect, making ours seem like a complete mess.
On top of that, human nature pushes us to always strive for more—to evolve and improve ourselves. This instinct has helped our species survive, but it has also taken away something vital: happiness.
It’s time to stop dwelling on what we haven’t achieved or become. Instead, let’s enjoy the life we have—because it’s the only one we’ve got.
Here are 8 simple and effective ways to overcome chronic dissatisfaction.
Satisfaction guaranteed—or your misery back!
How to Recognize Chronic Dissatisfaction and Overcome It
1. Stop Believing Everything You See on Instagram & Co.
More often than not, our dissatisfaction comes from comparing our lives to others.
People only post the highlights of their day online, often filtering and editing everything to perfection.
Don’t be fooled by pictures of luxury dinners, yacht vacations, and five-star lifestyles—most of it is staged.
Between social media management tricks and Photoshop, what you see online is far from reality.
2. Live in the Present Without Worrying Too Much About the Future
One of the main causes of human suffering is time.
Not the present—the only time in which we could truly be happy—but the past and the future, where we constantly find ourselves lost.
Dwelling on memories or stressing about expectations only leads to nostalgia and anxiety—both toxic emotions.
Carpe diem: seize the present moment, the only one that truly exists.
3. Appreciate the Small Things in Daily Life
Happiness is found in the little things.
Every day is made up of countless small moments that, when collected, create a beautiful picture.
From the scent of coffee in the morning to the sound of rain on the window, take the time to cherish the magic in the details.
4. Get Lost in a Good Book
Books are one of the most powerful tools for self-fulfillment.
Reading allows us to live countless lives, giving us a glimpse of the eternity that nature denies us.
Books enrich us more than winning the lottery and help us forget about our own problems for a while.
5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Constant comparison is often a habit formed in childhood.
Many of us grew up hearing questions like “And what grade did Chiara get?”—referring to the overachieving classmate who always aced her Latin exams.
But school is long over. Stop comparing yourself to those who always seem to be ahead!
And if you must compare yourself to someone, why not choose someone who struggles more than you? That would be much more comforting.
6. Surround Yourself with People Who Enjoy Meaningful Conversations
If books are a person’s best friend, then real-life best friends should be readers.
Spend time with people who are curious, cultured, and willing to share ideas.
Talking about books, movies, and art is a much more enriching pastime than indulging in gossip.
7. Spend More Time Outdoors
If you want to open your mind to new perspectives, take this advice literally: go outside.
Spending time outdoors helps you stay present and connected to reality.
The best way to avoid getting caught in a whirlwind of overthinking and self-doubt is to get some fresh air and reset your mind.
8. Recognize Your Own Achievements
Enough with the self-pity!
Stop thinking that everything is going wrong and complaining nonstop.
The key to feeling satisfied is to focus on the glass half full.
Think back to your big and small victories—whether it’s baking a delicious cake or earning a degree, everything counts.
Once you recognize your successes, the glass will never seem half-empty again… because you’ll have finally learned to toast to your own achievements!
Cheers!
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This article first appeared on Grazia.it – Author: Camilla Sernagiotto
