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Why Are We Still Doing That? – Always Searching For The Next Thing

Blog / Podcast

Our blog and podcast dive into the real stories and everyday strategies behind building a No Vacation Required life. We challenge outdated norms, share fresh perspectives, and explore what it means to find fulfillment right now—in a world that rarely makes it easy.

Why Are We Still Doing That? – Always Searching For The Next Thing

No Vacation Required

There’s Always Another Level: Breaking the Cycle of "What's Next"

Why do we constantly look past our current achievements toward the next big thing? We dive into the "what’s next" trap – that persistent feeling that fulfillment is always waiting at the next promotion, the next purchase, or the next exclusive event. Using a story about Neil Patrick Harris and a persistent traveler on an Italian boat tour, we explore why external validation is a moving target that never actually grounds us.

From the pressures of late-stage capitalism to the addictive hum of social media FOMO, this episode offers a perspective on how to opt out of the endless chase. Learn how to reclaim the "social currency" of being present and why knowing yourself is the only real way to find satisfaction in the life you are living right now.

 Onward and Inward,

CHAPTERS:

  • (00:00) Why are we still doing that?

  • (00:43) Fulfillment is not "over there"

  • (01:37) The Madonna party paradox: There is always another level

  • (03:49) Why institutions keep us on the cycle

  • (05:38) The lie of the "next thing"

  • (09:22) Lessons from a boat tour in Cinque Terre

  • (14:48) The lack of social currency in the present moment

  • (19:51) Validation vs. Experience

  • (22:31) Cravings, social conditioning, and the power of "why"

  • (25:45) The paradox of fulfillment: Finding joy in the tiny things

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Fulfillment is Internal: External milestones like promotions or luxury trips provide fleeting validation, but real satisfaction is found in how you view your current reality.

  • Break the FOMO Cycle: Society and social media are designed to keep us in a state of longing. Recognizing this conditioning is the first step toward opting out of the "what's next" game.

  • Prioritize the Smallest Moments: Deep resonance often comes from the most focused, intimate actions – like an extra ten minutes of journaling or sitting in the sun – rather than the grand "bucket list" items.

  • Self-Knowledge as a Foundation: When you understand your core strengths and values, you gain the confidence to stop pursuing things that don't actually matter to you.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

SUPPORT NO VACATION REQUIRED:

If this episode helped you decide to appreciate where you are right now and live in the moment more often, please leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube! It is the best way to help our message reach more people.