The Lie of “There”

Why your brain won’t let you feel done, and how to fix it.

Let’s be real.

No matter how much you accomplish, why does it sometimes never feel like enough?

You hit a milestone, only to immediately raise the bar.

You’re in this endless game of “I’ll be happy when…” and yet, happiness never shows up.

What’s going on here?

Today, we’re unpacking why your brain is playing this cruel trick on you, AND how to break the cycle.

Best Finds from the Week:

  1. 📝 Article: “The science of life satisfaction”: Science-backed happiness isn’t about chasing success—it’s about nurturing relationships, purpose, and community.

  2. 🎥 Video: “7 Stoic Keys To Happiness”: Stoicism redefines happiness as inner peace, freedom from destructive emotions, and a focus on self-improvement rather than chasing fleeting pleasure.

  3. 📝 Article: “Why Are High Achievers Often Unhappy?”: The key is learning to separate self-worth from external validation and shifting focus from proving to improving.

The Deep Dive - The Cycle of “Never Enough”

1️⃣ Big Idea #1: Your Brain Wasn’t Built for Arrival; It Was Built for Survival

The brain has one job: keep you alive.

And to do that, it’s wired to always seek more.

This was useful when we were foraging for food, but in a world of constant stimulation, it turns into an achievement treadmill.

Your brain doesn’t celebrate wins, it moves the goalpost. What felt impossible last year is now your bare minimum.

1️⃣ Little Idea #1: This isn’t your fault. But it’s your responsibility to recognize it.

1️⃣ Practical Tip #1: After every achievement, write down three ways your past self would be proud of you.

It forces you to see the progress your brain is blind to.

2️⃣ Big Idea #2: You’re Not Chasing a Goal; You’re Chasing a Feeling

Most of the time, when we say, “I’ll be happy when I get X,” we’re really saying, “I believe X will make me feel Y.”

But if you don’t train yourself to feel that way now, the goal won’t magically do it for you.

2️⃣ Little Idea #2: Instead of chasing the next thing, start embodying the feeling you want now.

2️⃣ Practical Tip #2: If you believe hitting a certain milestone will make you feel more confident, practice confidence today, even in small ways.

Your nervous system needs evidence before it believes.

3️⃣ Big Idea #3: External Validation Is a Bottomless Pit

If your milestones are tied to approval (likes, promotions, status) you’ll always be one achievement away from feeling worthy.

And that’s how people wake up successful but empty.

3️⃣ Little Idea #3: Define success internally.

What actually matters to you?

Not your parents, not society, not Instagram.

3️⃣ Practical Tip #3: Ask yourself: If no one knew I did this, would I still want it?

If the answer is no, you’re chasing the wrong thing.

❝

You won’t feel like you’ve made it because your brain needs a problem to solve. No problem? It invents one.

Coffee Chat Questions ☕️

Ask yourself (or share with a friend):

  1. What’s something I accomplished that my past self would be amazed by?

  2. How much of my ambition is fueled by my own desires vs. external pressure?

  3. What’s one feeling I think I need to “achieve” before I allow myself to feel it?

So…?

What if you already had enough? What if you already were enough?

The secret isn’t achieving more. It’s learning how to sit in what you already have.

When you’re ready, here’s how I can help:

  1. Scroll Down and Unlock Premium Content: Discover advanced strategies to help make this stuff more actionable for you & more interesting (:

  2. Share the Love: Forward this newsletter to someone who could use a nudge toward peace.

    You’ll receive free stuff at 1 referral, 2 referrals, and then 5 referrals (:

Real Talk: What’s your vibe after reading this?

Tap to help shape better content for you:

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

❝

The finish line moves every time you get close. The real question: Who’s moving it?



-D (just some person behind Mindflow)

P.S. Share this with someone who needs the reminder. Or check my instagram post on the topic. It might be the thing they didn’t know they needed today.

Feel free to Free Trial For 1 Month Below (:

Unlock the Full Experience

Ready to go deeper? Join Premium for exclusive insights, transformative exercises, and more.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.

What You’ll Get with Premium:

  • • Emotional Deep Dives: Gain in-depth insights into the hidden layers of mental health, neuroscience, and psychology—knowledge designed to shift your perspective.
  • • Empathy Mastery: Access advanced exercises that make emotional intelligence practical and powerful in everyday life.
  • • Interactive Wisdom Maps: Get step-by-step, expertly crafted guides that bring clarity and growth to even the most complex topics.
  • • Visual Moments: Curated images to spark wonder in the everyday.

Reply

or to participate.