Why do we not feel satisfied when we have achieved our goals?

Why do we still feel the feeling of numbness?

Why is it that after achieving a goal, we often find ourselves striving for more?

Why doesn’t success always bring the lasting satisfaction we expect?

Photo by Senthilkumar Gopal on Unsplash

These questions tap into the complexities of human nature and psychology.

One reason lies in a phenomenon known as the hedonic treadmill.

When we achieve something, the initial joy it brings often fades as we adapt to our new reality.

We return to a baseline level of happiness and start looking for the next challenge.

This cycle keeps us moving forward, but it also explains why the satisfaction of reaching a goal can feel fleeting.

At a deeper level, humans are wired for growth.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow described this as the pursuit of self-actualization, where we strive to reach our fullest potential.

It’s not just about meeting our basic needs but continually seeking ways to improve ourselves and our lives.

This drive for more has an evolutionary advantage — our ancestors who sought out better resources or developed new skills were more likely to survive and…