Stop Chasing Happiness: Why You’re Never Satisfied (and How to Fix It) | Clutterbug Podcast # 274

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If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’ll be happy when…” — when the house is clean, when the kids are older, when you finally get that promotion or dream kitchen — you’re not alone. Maybe you’re always chasing the next goal, the next purchase, the next big thing… but somehow, happiness still feels out of reach.

In this episode, I’m getting real about something I’ve been struggling with for years: destination addiction. It’s that constant feeling of needing more to finally feel content. And spoiler alert — it’s not just a mindset issue… it’s biology. It’s what psychologists call the hedonic treadmill, and friends, I’ve been sprinting on it for most of my adult life.

So today, I’m hitting pause. I’m sharing the science behind why we adapt so quickly to the good stuff, why our happiness resets to “meh,” and what we can actually do about it. If you’ve been feeling chronically dissatisfied, overwhelmed, or like you’re missing the joy in your already-amazing life — this one’s for you.

Whether you’re in full hustle mode or feeling a little lost between “next big things,” this episode is your permission slip to slow down, breathe, and start appreciating the incredible life you’re living right now.

✨ In this episode, I talk about:

• What the “hedonic treadmill” really means — and how it keeps us stuck
• How society, social media, and even ADHD feed into our addiction to “more”
• The emotional crash that comes after a big milestone
• Why midlife crises aren’t what we think they are
• How to raise your “baseline” and feel truly content again
• Simple but powerful ways to practice gratitude and presence every day

💛 This isn’t about giving up on dreams. It’s about learning to love the life you’ve already built.

👇 Mentioned in this episode:
Here are the articles and resources I talked about —
→ What Is the Hedonic Treadmill? (PositivePsychology.com) - https://positivepsychology.com/hedonic-treadmill/
→ Hedonic Treadmill – Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/hedonic-treadmill
→ Understanding Dissatisfaction – Dr. Debra Campbell - https://www.drdebracampbell.com/understanding-dissatisfaction/
→ 4 Steps to Letting Go of Chronic Dissatisfaction – Lynda Hoffman - https://lyndahoffman.com/4-steps-to-letting-go-of-chronic-dissatisfaction/

→ Lottery Winners and Accident Victims: Is Happiness Relative? (ResearchGate) - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22451114_Lottery_Winners_and_Accident_Victims_Is_Happiness_Relative

👇 Tell me — what’s something you’re grateful for right now? I’d love to hear.

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