There’s a common sentiment in my generation, especially among those coming from upper-middle class families: a feeling that everything goes downhill, despite living quite comfortably.
They rage about inflation and prices
They cry that they can’t buy a new flat right away
Frustrated about regulation, limit of freedom, speech and privacy
And it is amplified like the world is going to shit.
Meanwhile, their reality looks like this:
A very nice car in the driveway (while dreaming of even better one)
A flat purchased by their parents for them (while eyeing a bigger and better)
Instagram feeds filled with vacation photos
High-quality groceries delivered without a second thought
A weekly rotation of restaurants, cafes, and bars
I came from a different starting point. I don’t want to say we were poor, but we kinda were. Mine and my family’s financial situation is only getting better and better with time. I spend more by renting but I’m still able to save up.
These people come from upper-middle class families, have better jobs than their parents. So they have elevated expectations about life, but it doesn’t match up with reality.
So where’s the fracture?
It’s not the economy. It’s not the government. It’s a misalignment of expectations.
There are other issues at play, hidden:
The Connection Void: A lack of a foundational partner or a true tribe
The Meaning Gap: A high-paying role that doesn’t activate their potential
The Leverage Ceiling: Trading time for money directly, with no scalable asset working for them
The Body-Mind Neglect: Letting the physical vessel soften and the mind clutter with noise
My own struggles mirror this. The void of connection, the search for meaningful work, the need for leverage — it’s the same battlefield.
The difference is the narrative I choose to install.
Zoom out, audit the situation holistically and don’t blame it on outside factors.
Factually, deep connection is a non-negotiable for a well-lived life. Relationships improve happiness in magnitudes, free of charge.
Working extra-hours may be commendable, but it takes away time and energy from rest and other parts of life, further driving down satisfaction.
Neglecting the body hits another nail into the mood’s coffin.
Mind and spirit follow and the morale ship sinks.
The primary quest isn’t for more gold in the bank, but for more meaning. The work is to become an architect — to build leverage on the job and beyond it.
Travel is expensive, getting a visa is tiresome. No shit.
If seeing the world is what you want, make the necessary steps.
There is zero point in whining.
Affect things you can control. Your habits, your focus, your daily actions.
Find ways to influence things outside of your control.
Change your environment. Move, vote with your dollars.
Focus on the mission and ignore the noise.
The world isn’t going to shit. The sun keeps rising every day. You’re just viewing it through a dirty lens — an inherited system of beliefs. Your purpose isn’t to clean it. It’s to architect a new one.