The Emptiness in Hustling: What Truly Defines Happiness?

We all want to be happy. That’s a fact.
But many of us are working incredibly hard—chasing titles, paychecks, and goals—without ever stopping to ask: Is this the happiness I truly want? Or is it someone else’s version of success that I’ve unknowingly adopted?

The Ambition Loop We Don’t Question

In today’s fast-paced world, ambition is celebrated. From a young age, we’re surrounded by definitions of success that revolve around high GPAs, prestigious internships, six-figure salaries, and job titles with status. Naturally, we begin chasing those benchmarks too—because that’s what everyone else around us is doing.

But have you ever paused to ask: Why am I chasing this?
Most people can’t.

Psychologist Dr. Barry Schwartz, in his book The Paradox of Choice, explains how having too many options without a clear sense of purpose often leaves us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and perpetually dissatisfied—even when we accomplish our goals.

Success Without Purpose Feels Empty

As a student or working adult, you might find yourself juggling internships, pursuing promotions, or burning the midnight oil—not because you love the journey, but because you believe it will get you somewhere “better.”

A good job brings money.
Money brings options.
But... what are those options for?

When we don’t define the deeper "why," we fall into a cycle of endless striving. We neglect joy. We miss meaningful moments. We begin to believe we’ll be happy later—after the next achievement. And by then, burnout often creeps in.

That’s why many working adults look back and say, “I miss my school days.”
Not because school was easier, but because back then, we were so caught up in chasing something, we didn’t realize we never defined what we were chasing for.

The Slow Build-Up of Misaligned Goals

When we work toward goals that don’t align with our values, the toll isn’t immediate. At first, it just feels like fatigue. But slowly, stress and emotional exhaustion begin to build. And one day, it turns into anxiety—or even full-on burnout.

In the Marvel movie Thunderbolts, one character says:
"There’s something... wrong with me. An emptiness. I thought it started when my sister died, but now it feels like something bigger. Just a... void. Or maybe I’m just bored."

It’s not just grief she’s expressing—it’s doubt. A disconnection from self-worth. That line captures what many of us feel but rarely admit: the emptiness doesn’t always come from doing too much. It often comes from not knowing why we’re doing anything at all.

We stay busy not because we’re fulfilled—but because it’s easier than sitting with the discomfort of unanswered questions. Questions about meaning, regret, purpose, or pain.

Psychologist Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar puts it best:
"Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable."

But when we’re unclear about that destination—or too afraid to face it—we lose both the joy of the journey and the meaning behind it.

So... How Do You Start Defining Your Happiness?

You don’t need a sudden life-changing moment. But you do need to slow down—and start asking the right questions. Here’s how.

1. Walk Back Through Your Life

Think back from your earliest memories to today.
What moments have shaped how you see the world?
What experiences triggered growth, regret, or joy?
Were there situations that made you say, “I’ll do better next time”?

These memories hold clues to your values—the things that matter to you, not what society tells you to value.

2. Notice What You’ve Been Delaying
What are the small joys you’ve been saving “for later”?
Is it a meal at a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try but keep postponing to save money?
A solo trip you’ve dreamed of, but won’t plan because you “should focus on work first”?
Even something as simple as a favourite food you deny yourself until you hit a certain goal?

We tell ourselves these joys will feel better when “earned,” but often, we keep pushing happiness further out of reach—until we forget why we wanted it in the first place.

Philosopher Alan Watts said, “We have no other time than this moment.”
Waiting for the perfect time often leads to a life that’s always delayed, and never truly lived.

3. Ask Yourself: What Does Fulfillment Look Like for Me?
Not the version of happiness that looks good on Instagram.
Not the version your parents wanted for you.
What do you want your daily life to feel like?

Is it peace? Simplicity? Growth? Connection?

Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of the field of positive psychology, suggests that well-being comes not just from pleasure, but from engagement, meaning, and personal achievement.
It’s not about avoiding hard work—but about ensuring the work you do serves a life that feels aligned.

Final Thoughts: Slow Down. Feel More.

Sometimes, the answer isn’t in chasing harder—but in asking better questions.
At Boost Vitalitea, we believe that stress management isn’t just about herbal remedies or routines—it’s about real reflection. Our products are here to support moments of calm, but ultimately, the journey to clarity starts with you.

So take a moment.
Ask yourself: What am I really chasing?
And more importantly—why?