I once watched a show describing life during the first century in the middle east. This line stuck with me : "You'll never know the next time you'll have a fresh glass of water"
It's ridiculous how, while knowing these factors, contentment can feel so elusive, hard to reach at times. At least for me. But knowing these facts dramatically improved my happiness.
Tough.
I aim to be reasonably happy, while learning how to dance with both, contentment and ambition. We'll see how this goes.
Another reason (probably related to the first) is that our generation grew up with our parents telling us we could be whatever we wanted to be. Do whatever we wanted to do.
In many cases, they conveniently neglected to add, “But it’ll take a lot of work.”
So we all went to college (or wanted to, because we were told that was what we should do) and went into debt for a degree that may or may not prove helpful in terms of actually getting work.
Or we dove straight into the workforce, expecting to be applauded for our genius (because we’d been told about our potential our whole lives). Over time, we grew more and more disenchanted with the “meaningless” nature of our work and our inability to advance through the ranks.
As you said, there are many factors, and several of them are interconnected.
I think the college point is so, so important, too. Both economically and from an expectations perspective. It created a lot of disillusionment with the system and debt that could only be attempted to be tackled by bending the knee to the system.
Tons of factors. Interesting to think about, if nothing else. Thanks for stopping by!
I have so many thoughts on so many of these things! It feels like a lot of people are "rebelling" against the expected work structure and going into remote work/working for themselves. Being the main/only person in a company is a balance of energizing and daunting. It's a good fit for stubborn/independent people who are not content with doing as we're told for the sake of compliance alone.
I find the bottom line of this post very interesting. Indeed happiness is in the gap between expectations and reality.
I figure you're writing about American millennials or Western as a whole. But as an African I find some of these things ridiculous and amusing.
Like the idea of being able to get credit card loan or go to school on a loan. It gives people a false sense of reality.
Over here, if you're broke you're broke. You have to deal with it. If you can't afford some things, you live within your means or find another way. No point in borrowing to live a "fake life."
I like it this way because it is simple and straightforward, but I know it won't be for long because my people like to copy the West (even when they suck at copying).
Even I don't want to settle for the simple things of life. And that's something my dad's generation may never truly understand.
Growing up watching tons of Western movies and now being exposed to all and sundry on social media has led me to have higher expectations and therefore made me become less happy...
Yet another A+ comment, man. And you're right — I forget sometimes that people read this stuff beyond just my close local friends, ha. Need to consider international perspectives more.
It's a little crazy how the expectation problem transcends so many cultures and countries. I'm sure if you were to pick an era and a geography, those people would have been disappointed that reality didn't align with their expectations, too.
Thanks for taking the time to share these thoughts. You always get me pondering something new.
Dude. Dang. You've got depth.
I once watched a show describing life during the first century in the middle east. This line stuck with me : "You'll never know the next time you'll have a fresh glass of water"
It's ridiculous how, while knowing these factors, contentment can feel so elusive, hard to reach at times. At least for me. But knowing these facts dramatically improved my happiness.
Tough.
I aim to be reasonably happy, while learning how to dance with both, contentment and ambition. We'll see how this goes.
Anyhow, cool piece man.
My man — thanks, Nate. Really kind of you to say so.
That "fresh glass of water" bit is a gut punch. Crazy how we can have so much and still find ways to demand so much more. It's true for me, too.
Thanks for reading (+ commenting). Makes my day.
Love this—thanks for shedding light on the issue.
Another reason (probably related to the first) is that our generation grew up with our parents telling us we could be whatever we wanted to be. Do whatever we wanted to do.
In many cases, they conveniently neglected to add, “But it’ll take a lot of work.”
So we all went to college (or wanted to, because we were told that was what we should do) and went into debt for a degree that may or may not prove helpful in terms of actually getting work.
Or we dove straight into the workforce, expecting to be applauded for our genius (because we’d been told about our potential our whole lives). Over time, we grew more and more disenchanted with the “meaningless” nature of our work and our inability to advance through the ranks.
As you said, there are many factors, and several of them are interconnected.
Thanks for taking the time to read — and for this comment, Jen.
Agreed. The Tim Urban blog I linked in the post explores that theme a little more. It's 11 years old now, but it's well worth reading. (Here if you're interested! https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html)
I think the college point is so, so important, too. Both economically and from an expectations perspective. It created a lot of disillusionment with the system and debt that could only be attempted to be tackled by bending the knee to the system.
Tons of factors. Interesting to think about, if nothing else. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for the link... I'll check it out!
I have so many thoughts on so many of these things! It feels like a lot of people are "rebelling" against the expected work structure and going into remote work/working for themselves. Being the main/only person in a company is a balance of energizing and daunting. It's a good fit for stubborn/independent people who are not content with doing as we're told for the sake of compliance alone.
I find the bottom line of this post very interesting. Indeed happiness is in the gap between expectations and reality.
I figure you're writing about American millennials or Western as a whole. But as an African I find some of these things ridiculous and amusing.
Like the idea of being able to get credit card loan or go to school on a loan. It gives people a false sense of reality.
Over here, if you're broke you're broke. You have to deal with it. If you can't afford some things, you live within your means or find another way. No point in borrowing to live a "fake life."
I like it this way because it is simple and straightforward, but I know it won't be for long because my people like to copy the West (even when they suck at copying).
Even I don't want to settle for the simple things of life. And that's something my dad's generation may never truly understand.
Growing up watching tons of Western movies and now being exposed to all and sundry on social media has led me to have higher expectations and therefore made me become less happy...
Yet another A+ comment, man. And you're right — I forget sometimes that people read this stuff beyond just my close local friends, ha. Need to consider international perspectives more.
It's a little crazy how the expectation problem transcends so many cultures and countries. I'm sure if you were to pick an era and a geography, those people would have been disappointed that reality didn't align with their expectations, too.
Thanks for taking the time to share these thoughts. You always get me pondering something new.