You’re Chasing More… But You Already Have Enough
Here’s why you’re never satisfied and how to actually start valuing what you’ve got.
We all do it, don’t we?
Eyeing up someone else’s plate while letting your own meal go cold.
The reason you’re not happy isn’t because you don’t have enough — it’s because you don’t value what’s right in front of you.
You’ve got a roof over your head, food in the fridge, maybe even a car sitting outside.
But you’re too busy scrolling on your phone, eyeing someone else’s lifestyle, to appreciate it.
You’re in this constant loop of “I’ll be happy when…”
That day isn’t coming unless you change how you think right now.
We’re always looking at what’s “out there”, convincing ourselves that if we just had that — the bigger house, the dream partner, or that ridiculous car that guzzles more fuel than a Blackpool stag do on pints — life would finally make sense.
But here’s the ugly truth: even when we get what we want, we stop valuing it faster than the time it takes to whinge about the weather.
How many times have you caught yourself thinking, “If I just had X, I’d be happy.”
You won’t.
Not unless you realise that right now you’ve probably got more than enough to keep you grounded, grateful, and — dare I say — content.
Why you’re stuck in the endless cycle of wanting more
Here’s the problem: Your brain is wired to focus on the gap, not the gain.
You see where you’re not, what you don’t have, and you convince yourself that is where happiness is.
It’s the classic, “the grass is greener on the other side” mindset, except it’s not.
The grass is greener where you water it.
And guess what?
You’re not even picking up the damn hose.
Take the guy with the swimming pool.
He dreamt of that pool for years, but now?
He barely uses it because it’s just another thing he has.
Meanwhile, someone who doesn’t have one would kill for it.
Same thing with relationships.
You’re single and you think having a partner will solve all your problems. But people in relationships often take their partners for granted, constantly looking at what else is out there.
It’s a vicious cycle of dissatisfaction.
The questions you need to ask yourself to break free
You’re probably wondering, “How do I get out of this?”
Here are the three questions you need to start asking:
What am I already overlooking that someone else would love to have?
Why am I always comparing my life to someone else’s highlight reel?
What would my life look like if I actually started appreciating what I have?
The solution: Gratitude without the vomit-inducing fluff
“Fuck off with your gratitude bollocks!”
Okay, before you roll your eyes and think I’m about to slap you with some ‘gratitude journal’ crap, stick with me.
Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect or finding some ‘airy fairy’ bullshit to hold onto when life is spiralling.
No, it’s about recognising that you’ve probably got some pretty decent stuff going for you already, even if it’s not perfect.
It’s about training your brain to stop laser-focusing on all the stuff that’s missing, and to acknowledge what’s right in front of you.
Imagine this: You’ve got a Ferrari in your garage (bear with me, I am going somewhere with this, I promise).
But you never drive it because you’re too busy scrolling for the next luxury model.
That’s exactly how most of us live our lives — stuck in a loop of dissatisfaction, always searching for what’s next instead of appreciating what’s right here.
Right now.
Think about this for a second — okay, so you don’t have a Ferrari.
Instead, maybe you have a Mini Cooper.
You don’t think it’s that big a deal, right?
But to someone who has always dreamed of having a Mini Cooper — you are a GOD!
They envy you!
And here’s a wild idea: maybe, just maybe, the version of you who’s got the Mini Cooper life right now might actually be happier than the one who didn’t have that Mini Cooper 2 years ago?
Think about that.
Focus on the gain, not the gap
You don’t need to meditate under a waterfall to start feeling grateful (knock yourself out if that’s your thing).
But you do need to stop mentally trashing everything you’ve got just because you don’t have more.
Let’s get tactical for a second.
You’ve got two options: keep focussing on what you’re missing or start acknowledging the wins you’ve already got.
This is the difference between feeling like you’re always behind and realising you’re actually in a pretty fucking epic position.
Start with something simple: instead of obsessing over the next big thing, look at the stuff you already have.
Your car gets you from A to B, your house keeps you warm, and your partner… well, they’ve stuck with you this long, haven’t they?
Actionable Tip: Want to flip your mindset quickly?
Do this — next time you catch yourself complaining, stop and think: Would someone else kill to have this problem?
If the answer’s yes, you’re already winning.
The benefits of actually appreciating your life
Here’s what happens when you start focusing on what you’ve got instead of what you don’t:
Mental clarity:
You stop living like you’re playing an endless game of catch-up.
The less you compare, the more time you have to actually live your life.Better relationships:
When you stop taking people for granted, they’ll feel valued, and guess what, they’ll treat you better too.
Weird, right?Higher confidence:
Instead of reinforcing the idea that you’re never enough, you start to realise you’ve already accomplished more than you give yourself credit for.Real happiness:
No, not the Instagram kind.
I’m talking about the kind where you wake up and feel good with what you’ve got — because you understand it’s enough.Improved performance:
When you stop chasing every shiny object, you actually focus on what’s important and get shit done.
Let’s break it down in real terms:
The person with a swimming pool?
They’re probably sitting inside, binge-watching Netflix, not swimming laps.Your mate with the flashy car?
They’re staring at other cars in envy, while you ride shotgun thinking it’s the best thing since sliced bread.The relationship you wish you had?
Trust me, they’ve got problems too, mate.
This whole thing is like spending your life searching for a unicorn when there’s a perfectly good horse standing right in front of you.
Sure, it doesn’t have a sparkly horn or grant wishes, but it’s dependable, won’t bite you in the ass, and gets you where you need to go.
The real key: stop chasing more, and see what you’ve already got
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want more in life, but it does mean you should bloody well appreciate what’s already in your hands.
You know, those things that some people out there would sell a kidney for.
The truth is, contentment isn’t about becoming complacent; it’s about recognising that you’re in a pretty good spot right now.
And when you do that, you’ll realise that the ‘more’ you’re chasing probably won’t feel half as satisfying as you think it will.
It’s simple: If you don’t start valuing what you’ve got, you’ll never feel like you have enough.
The goalposts will keep moving, and you’ll be running in circles chasing things that won’t make you any happier.
Instead of always asking, “What’s next?” try asking, “What’s here?”
You might be surprised at how good you already have it.
Stop whining and start appreciating: you ungrateful git
Look, it’s time to cut the crap.
If you’re constantly unhappy with your life, it’s not because you don’t have enough.
It’s because you’ve got this twisted idea that happiness is somewhere else.
It’s not.
It’s right here.
So start valuing it.
And if this article gave you the reality check you needed, subscribe to the (UN)BROKEN.
Don’t be the guy who keeps chasing more while ignoring what’s already in front of him.
Everyone else is doing it — don’t get left behind!