Somewhere between innovation and instant gratification, we lost the ability to enjoy the simple things. We’ve reached a point in our society where we’re constantly bombarded with so much darkness, negativity, and low tolerance for anything that pushes us outside of our comfort zone. Staying positive now feels like swimming upstream.

 

Our lifestyle has drastically changed from previous generations. We’ve made things faster, more convenient and more efficient. We’ve created niches that otherwise would have never existed, and we’ve accomplished more in less time than before.

 

But maybe every good thing we’ve created carries a hidden cost. We have made our daily life more convenient, yet lost our patience. We’ve gained access to creativity and self-expression, yet we’re more confused and disconnected than ever. With every convenience gained, we lose a small part of ourselves. 

 

The paradox of our generation is relentless. To every innovation, there’s a cost. We built bigger and better, only to burn out quicker. Our obsession with faster, and easier has chipped away at our ability to pause, celebrate, and enjoy the little things. 

 

It’s hard to stay positive and motivated while facing an endless buffet of options. We can’t decide—so we choose it all. We sample everything, but savor nothing. Faced with infinite choices, we end up displeased with most of them. We nitpick and focus on the flaws instead of enjoying the good. Because why settle and savor when we can hoard everything—and still feel nothing?

 

We’ve reached the point of self—and societal—destruction. We ask for more, yet lose the capacity to handle what we already have. We’re overstimulated, overextended and under fulfilled. With short tempers and unstable values, we drift without direction. 

 

But worst of all—we’ve become obsessed with making a point. 

A point against the government. 

Against employers. 

Against anyone who doesn’t agree with us.

 

In making that point, we are tearing ourselves apart from the inside. We don’t pour from full cups—we drain ourselves dry trying to fill others. Then we wonder why we feel lost, confused and unhappy. No one is refilling our cups, we pretend that it’s alright.

 

Still, we rebel. Still, we ask for more. 

But more of what? 

 

Peace? Love? Harmony? 

 

Well, those aren’t delivered. They’re discovered. 

And they are the essence of an inside job. 

 

Staying positive, grounded, curious and connected—that’s the real challenge. One we’ve yet to take on, but desperately need to.