Ever caught yourself day dreaming and imagining a “better” life? If you’re human, you certainly have. The concept of manifesting a better life or craving for greener pastures is agnostic of status, power, influence, wealth, race, creed, caste, etc. As long as you exist in human form, you will have spent a lot of time thinking of how your life could improve with just (fill in the blanks — more money, the next career jump, flashier car, bigger house, and so on). The word “just” implies how simply your life could improve with an additional life experience in some material sense. But, it always fails to do so.
There are very few that seem to be living contented lives in the 21st century. Ambition exists in abundance to the point that you’re labeled crazy for lacking ambition. The rat race has consumed most of us. In fact, the foundations of capitalism and consumerism exist on the basis that a person feels perpetual dissatisfaction with their current life. Every person is viewing his or her peers, friends, and colleagues and wondering what more could be done in order to surpass them in this socially manufactured hamster wheel. The conspired design of pitting one human against another in the race to the ‘top’ of the social hierarchy is keeping people from waking up to experience the reality as is (without the fabricated social filters), and what it actually means to live a peaceful and satisfied life.
Who stands to lose when humans are no longer as greedily interested in pursuing a material reality — you guessed it right, the top 1% of the world.
The best strategy for anyone looking to sell you anything— without ‘my’ product or service, you’re going to continue living your pathetic miserable life. You are constantly being convinced that the eternal happiness you’re seeking is on the other side of that product or service in the capitalist society.
So, ever tried to pause your life for a few moments and thought about what you truly need to live a peaceful and satisfied life?
What’s truly holding you back from actively leading a peaceful life — your belief system and social conditioning.
You may believe that your thoughts are actually emanating from within you giving you a sense of your agency in framing your thoughts and opinions, but it’s far more likely that you’ve been conditioned to think a certain way, and your beliefs are actually a byproduct of that conditioning. Take the example of social conditioning that takes place as a result of religious teachings. They become so ingrained in the mind that a person staunchly starts identifying with the religion, forgetting that the beliefs were taught and are a part of the person, not the entire person.
Beliefs and social conditioning are such powerful forces that can often keep us from living truly peaceful, fulfilling lives. From a young age, many of us are taught that success is defined by fame, wealth, and status. Society encourages us to believe that happiness lies just beyond the next achievement or acquisition — a better job, a larger house, a more impressive lifestyle. This mindset, however, is like a treadmill: we keep running, only to find ourselves perpetually chasing satisfaction that feels out of reach.
Conditioning also teaches us to compare ourselves to others constantly. Social media and cultural expectations fuel the idea that our worth is tied to how we measure up against our peers. As a result, we may seek validation from others rather than finding contentment within ourselves. These beliefs reinforce an underlying feeling of “never enough,” leaving us anxious, dissatisfied, and disconnected from our authentic desires. In solely chasing external validation and approval, we’re consistently left questioning our worthiness.
Many people also inherit limiting beliefs about self-worth and achievement. We might believe that rest or simplicity (read: fewer worldly desires) equates to laziness, or that life must be a struggle to be worthwhile. These beliefs pull us away from inner peace, leaving little space for self-acceptance or genuine joy.
To truly live a peaceful life, we must consciously challenge these beliefs and conditioning. By redefining success and prioritizing what truly nurtures our spirit, we can break free from these social constraints and create a life centered on peace, presence, and fulfillment.
Here are a few reflective questions to ask yourself if you’re truly interested in designing an intentional life that leads to sustainable peace and contentment:
1. Understanding your true desires
What do I often daydream about, and why do I believe these things will make me happier?
If I imagine achieving everything I desire, what emotions do I expect to feel? (e.g., peace, freedom, security)
Are there non-material experiences or qualities I could pursue that might bring these feelings?
2. Identifying inner contentment vs. external validation
In what areas of my life am I seeking external validation (from family, friends, society)?
Am I pursuing any goals that don’t resonate with my values but are important to others?
When have I felt the most content or fulfilled in the past? What was present in those moments?
3. Analyzing the influence of the rat race
What pressures do I feel from society to achieve, acquire, or “be more”?
How often do I find myself comparing my achievements, lifestyle, or possessions to those of others?
How do these comparisons make me feel, and how would I feel without them?
4. Recognizing the impact of consumerism
What are the most recent things I’ve bought or aspired to buy? Did they bring lasting satisfaction?
Do I ever buy things to fill an emotional gap, rather than out of true necessity?
If I weren’t exposed to constant advertising, social media, or societal expectations, would I still want the same things?
5. Clarifying personal values for peaceful living
What activities or practices bring me a deep sense of peace, without requiring any external validation?
If I weren’t focused on material success, what goals or passions would I pursue instead?
How can I start incorporating more moments of peace, joy, and presence into my daily routine?
6. Designing an intentional path forward
What does a peaceful, contented life look like to me? Describe it in detail.
What small changes can I make today to align my life with this vision?
What might I need to let go of (material desires, societal pressures) to focus on what truly matters?