How do people manage to be content?

better can be subjective!!! It has taken me awhile to fully learn and appreciate that you need to have a strong opinion of yourself, so that others view of you matters less! :) One thing I find really cool for reconnecting with yourself- is take those 36 Questions for Love list, and just write your own answers down!! your answers or opinions can change. there’s no legal court recording of everything you ever say. sometimes i save a song and then hear it later and wonder WHAT was I thinking???? it’s all okay One cool concept is that your suffering is the delta between your expectations and your reality. so expectations-reality=suffering Anxious feelings that I “neeeeed” to figure out how to move or where to go or x,y,z. I try to let pass Engaging in thoughtful listening to your inner wants, desires, callings and ideas is a much nicer way to make a plan. (and you’re more likely to pick something more true to your values when you’re relaxed!)

I think being content comes with age and circumstances. Even in my 40s I can earn more at a different employer but then again they may double my workload. I think it also has to do with risk and stress. The older I get the less risk and stress im willing to take. If you're young and just starting your career than you have less to lose and can take more risk/stress. Just remember the grass is not always greener, you have to make risky moves, intelligently. I wouldnt second-guess where youre at currently as I'm a believer that our path in life is already carved out and things happen for a reason. Circumstances will drive your decisions. Hope this helps. God bless

i think change is hard and a hassle (like moving houses or jobs takes a lot of work in itself) so most people prefer to stay with what is familiar. for example even if i saw another “better” apartment with lower rent that doesn’t mean i will move immediately, i like my current place, and there’s value to consistency. if someone was always moving to new apartments every month, their life would be miserable and so difficult and uncomfortable, even though they might save some money it wouldn’t be worthwhile

I don’t have an answer to your question, but I feel as though I wrote this post myself. I’m always living on the grass-is-greener side of life, and I understand the struggle of trying to find contentment. Just know you are not alone

I use the analogy or situation of an amateur athlete who wants to turn pro. Its great to have a goal of "im going to be a pro football player one day!" and actively work towards that goal. Thats what we are supposed to do, chase our dreams. However you also have to be realistic in your chance of making it there. Statistically your chances are very, very, very slim. There are over 80,000 college players, 1.5-2% (1600) make it pro. So yes its great to strive for great things but its also good to keep things in perspective so that you can say to yourself "I gave it my all but it just wasn't meant to be" vs. "I've failed and my life is ruined."

i can kind of relate to this! one question that seems to latch onto my brain like velcro is "how do i know if i am content _enough_?". this usually devolves into all kinds of unanswerable bullshit.. for me this has become a pattern where i am too concerned with "getting it right" to actually listen to my feelings. sound familiar?