One of my favourite quotes comes from the movie 'Hector and the Search for Happiness', and it goes something like this: "Comparisons spoil happiness." It’s simple, but it’s one of those lines that really stuck with me.
I think we all do it.
We look around and think, What I have isn’t enough. We've got a roof over our heads, a closet full of clothes, and yet, we scroll through Instagram and see those perfect lives and the newest trends—and suddenly, what we have doesn’t seem quite as exciting. And we want more.
I’m the first to admit that I get sucked into this trap. I start thinking that if I just make a few tweaks—maybe get the latest phone or upgrade my wardrobe—then I’ll be happier. Right? Right?
And then, I go for my usual 10km walk, headphones in, ready for my favourite song—and halfway through, my AirPods die. Just dead. No music, no podcasts, nothing. I’m left with the sound of my own thoughts (the horror). I spend the rest of the walk sulking about it, trying to convince myself that the solution is obviously getting newer AirPods with a better battery life. Problem solved, right?
But then I remember a word that we all hear about a million times: gratitude. People talk about it like it’s some kind of magic fix for everything, but I’ll be honest—it’s not always easy for me. Even now, as an adult, I forget just how lucky I am. I get stuck in the grind and forget to notice all the things I already have. The little things.
And then, the other day, I came across a quote that really made me stop: “Your mundane daily routine is someone else’s dream life.” It hit me hard. Like, wow, I had to sit with that one for a minute. It made me remember just how much I take for granted.
The statistics are honestly crazy when you think about it. Here we are in developed countries—many of us with education, jobs, and a roof over our heads—and it all feels so normal. Like, that’s just life. But the reality is, only 1% of the world’s population has all three of those things. One percent. Think about that. One out of every 100 people is living a life that we are just so used to.
And here’s the kicker: if you earn sixty thousand a year or more, you’re in the top 1% of global earners. Mind-blowing. While we’re stressing about bills or complaining about work, there are billions of people struggling to meet basic needs. And just the other day I was in a bad mood because the hot water in my apartment wasn’t working. Shameful!
If I’m being honest, though, gratitude isn’t something I actively think about every day. After a full workday of deadlines and meetings, if someone like a Karen tells me, “stop stressing and be grateful for what you have,” I’ll admit, my first instinct is usually to roll my eyes. Or maybe think about smacking her in the face.
Then I think back to a trip I took when I was 17. I went on a volunteering trip to East Timor as part of an “Alternative Leavers Week.” We were delivering supplies to a tiny school near Dili—if you can even call it a school. It was basically a dusty building with no desks, no chairs, and kids sitting on the floor. There were no proper bathrooms, no running water. Nothing.
It was right before Christmas, so I asked one of the kids—a little girl—“What do you want for Christmas?” I was expecting something like a toy, maybe a teddy.
But she looked up at me and said, “I want a pencil.”
A pencil. Not a game, not a toy, not even lollies. Just a pencil.
That stopped me in my tracks. I grew up in a world where pencils were everywhere. I could never count how many pencils I had. They were scattered all over my house. I didn’t even have to think about it. But for her? A pencil was a dream.
I still think about her all the time. That moment changed me. Now, whenever I hear my students complaining about being “bored” or groaning about writing something in class, I tell them that story. It’s a reminder that we all need sometimes.
We had plenty of pencils to give her in the packs we brought up. And honestly, I like to imagine her getting her Christmas wish - something so small for us, but everything for her.
When I think back to that moment with the little girl, I realise that gratitude isn’t just about grand gestures or big changes. It’s about noticing the small, everyday things we often overlook. The things that others would give anything for - the pencils, the quiet walks, the fact that we can enjoy a simple cup of coffee without worrying where our next meal will come from.
So - next time I catch myself sulking over dead AirPods or some tiny inconvenience, I’m going to try and take a step back. I’ll remind myself that the things I take for granted might be someone else’s dream come true. It’s those little things we forget to appreciate that really matter.
Happiness isn’t found in comparison, or in purchasing new things society tells us we need. Happiness is found in appreciating what we already have, which is everything.
A x
Comentarios