Why We’re Never Satisfied —And How to Break the Cycle is a question many of us unknowingly live out every day. We chase bigger paychecks, upgrade to the latest gadgets, and even jump from one relationship to another, thinking the next thing will finally make us happy. Yet, no matter how much we achieve or acquire, there’s always a lingering feeling that something is missing. Why does contentment seem so elusive? And more importantly, how can we break free from this endless cycle of wanting more? Let’s dive into the root of our dissatisfaction and uncover the true path to lasting fulfillment.
This is not advice but a story of my life as I grow older—one that might offer lessons to those who read it.
I have learned that most people find it difficult to be content with what they have. No matter what they already possess, they always desire something better. This has become a cycle in life for many—gaining something, then losing contentment, and once again yearning for something new.
I used to be like that. I changed jobs multiple times. Whenever I felt like I was no longer progressing in my current work, I would look for a new job. I thought I needed a higher salary to save money, while others believe they need more money to provide for their families.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV)
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
The same goes for material possessions. Many of us replace our phones even though they are still fully functional, just because a new model has been released.
The question is not whether you can afford to buy a new one, but rather, what is your reason for doing so?
I also know people who own multiple cars, and I don’t understand why—especially since they can’t drive them all at the same time. Ahhh, maybe it’s because of the number coding scheme! Haha! But if that were the reason, wouldn’t two cars be enough?
This tendency to get bored easily doesn’t only apply to work or material things—it happens in relationships, too. Some people say that love fades. But maybe it’s not love that disappears—maybe it’s lust. Because from the beginning, there wasn’t really love to begin with.
I won’t pretend to be perfect—I’ve been in multiple relationships before I finally stopped. It always felt like something was missing. And the truth is, something was missing. But back then, I wasn’t paying attention to it whenever I was in a relationship.
The reality is, we won’t stop chasing after more until we change our mindset about what truly matters in life and what the real nature of this world is.
People switch jobs because they keep looking for a higher salary, thinking it will allow them to spend more. But if we learn to be less materialistic, we will realize that our current salary is actually enough—and maybe even more than enough.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Right now, I am happy with the income I receive. If I earn extra, I see it as a blessing from God. But I no longer desire to find a job just because it offers a higher salary.
Some people keep buying new things because they think it will make others admire them. But the truth is, no matter how many material things we acquire, if someone doesn’t like us, they simply don’t like us—expensive things won’t change that.
What’s even funnier is that we try to impress people we don’t even like! Is it just a competition now? Flaunting wealth and material possessions because we have nothing else to be proud of? Haha, just kidding!
I kept my last phone for six years. If it hadn’t broken from a fall, I wouldn’t have replaced it. And when I finally bought a new one, I didn’t go for something expensive. To me, a phone is just for calls, texts, and social media—not for showing off.
People jump from one relationship to another because they say the “spark” is gone. But maybe there was never a spark, to begin with. Maybe you only liked your partner because of their looks, status, or because they fulfilled a personal desire.
If from the start, we chose our partners wisely, there would be a higher chance of not falling out of love. If we had set proper standards in choosing a partner, we likely would have ended up with the right person.
I used to be the same—I would jump into relationships just because the person was attractive. If they had a car, great! If they had a good job, even better!
But because of that, I never found true happiness and kept jumping from one relationship to another.
Until I decided to set standards for choosing a partner. And now, after seven years, I am still happy and in love!
But honestly, my old self would never have thought this way. My mindset was different back then. I was full of pride and believed that society values people based on their status—which, to some extent, is still true today. Society often treats us based on what we have, who we are, and our achievements.
But that only matters if you put yourself on a pedestal. Society’s opinions only have value as long as you care about what they think. Once you free yourself from that mentality, everything changes.
Of course, contentment isn’t just about changing your mindset. You also need to understand what truly matters in life.
And what matters most is your relationship with your Creator. Everything in this world will eventually fade, pass away, or be left behind when we die. None of it will have lasting meaning.
Only in God is there true forever. And when you realize this, everything changes. The things you once thought were important—things you believed would bring happiness—will no longer hold value.
You will see the world in a new light.
That’s what happened to me. I turned my back on so many things I once believed were sources of happiness.
When did I start to change?
It happened when I realized that I no longer found joy in the things I used to do—parties, pleasures, relationships, and everything else.
Some people think this is just a phase, that it will pass. But I didn’t see it that way. I questioned why life felt like an endless loop—feeling happy, then losing that happiness again.
I came to understand that I had a shallow view of happiness. I believed that money, pleasure, status, and relationships defined happiness.
Ever since I was a child, I believed in God and that He listens when we call on Him. I also believed that if we are sincere, have pure intentions, and are willing to let Him guide our lives, He will move and make things right.
That’s what I did. Every day, I begged God to fix my life. I prayed and accepted that only He could open my eyes.
And little by little, God opened my heart and mind to things I had never realized before.
Honestly, I may not be rich today, but I have never lacked anything. God has always provided for my true needs. And whatever He gives me, I am happy and content with because I trust that He knows what is best for me.
Whether it’s relationships, work, or possessions—everything I have today was provided by God, and I have prayed for them.
How about you? Do you also feel discontent in life? Talk to God. And if you sincerely seek Him, He will listen and transform your life—just as He has done for those who faithfully pray to Him.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
🔹 Contentment comes when our joy is in the Lord, not just in earthly things.
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