“Contentment is the never-ending state that we humans constantly crave.”
We all live fast-paced lives, sacrificing our present for future growth. We become self-obsessed in this rat race, giving up many things to achieve career goals, academic success, relationships, and money. In my case, I was obsessed with my own schedule, work, high expectations, and pleasing others. My self-obsession and high expectations in academics, friendships, and relationships pushed me to neglect what’s truly important. I was focused on achieving results, forgetting to live in the present and enjoy life.
I did all this because I thought that, at the end of the day, I would be happy.
We often believe that the effort we put in today will bring us satisfaction in the long run. We delay our happiness for delayed results. That’s why we find more people who are rich but not necessarily happy. But what if we never get to enjoy that future? What if our endless pursuit does not satisfy us?
The reality is, “if you cannot find ease in your current situation, you’re not going to find it throughout your life.”
So, what is happiness? It’s the state of being fully present without feeling like you’re missing out on anything. Why do we feel happy when we’re at a pub, on a journey, or watching a movie? Because in those moments, we are fully present—our minds aren’t jumping back and forth between the past and future.
Short-term pleasures may make us happy briefly, but they can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. The expectation that we must be happy itself becomes toxic. Life is full of challenges, and we can’t avoid sadness or sorrow. But we can keep ourselves happy by lowering our ambitions and expectations.
Happiness is the absence of excessive desire. If I expect everyone to like me, I won’t be happy. If I dream of getting the best job in town, I won’t be happy. Instead, I’ve learned to be happy with who I am and what I have, and to focus on how I can improve along this journey without clinging to expectations.
Slowing down in life and removing unnecessary desires—whether it’s about food, career, ambitions, or relationships—brings clarity. Explore life beyond expectations. Focus on what truly matters to you. Spend time in self-reflection.
Mindfulness is a life-changing concept that asks us to embrace the present moment. Mindfulness teaches us that this present moment is all we have. The past and future are merely illusions. The moment you start appreciating the present, only then can you truly love your life. Mindfulness is moving from self-obsession to contentment and peace. You don’t need anything external to be happy; you can find happiness within yourself. Move away from the rush and enjoy each moment step by step. Do fewer things, but enjoy them to the fullest.
The moment I embraced the present, my life changed. I felt more peace and happiness. My desires decreased, and instead of chasing results, I began exploring experiences that enriched me. All the ego and aggression faded away. By lowering my expectations and desires, I shifted from being self-centered to focusing on better serving others.
I feel more freedom than ever before.
It’s not about the number of achievements. It’s about the depth of the experiences.
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