In today’s hyper-connected world, we are constantly bombarded by news of success, wealth, happiness, and achievements of others. Whether it’s a peer getting a promotion, a neighbour buying a luxurious home, or headlines about billionaires expanding their empire, these stories can quietly breed discontent in our hearts. Why does someone else’s progress feel like a personal defeat? Why does the happiness or recognition of another sting so much more than it should?

Discontentment often creeps in when we start comparing our inner world to the outer success of others. In today’s turbulent era, where every scroll brings headlines of conflict, wealth, or disaster—from Israel’s geopolitical tensions to Nepal’s political crisis, or Thailand’s social protests—our personal peace becomes a rare and precious gift. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said,

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.”

When we feel discontent comparing ourselves to others, it’s rarely about the other person. Instead, it is often linked to deeper personal feelings such as:

1. Suppressed Feelings – Maybe, somewhere in our childhood or career journey, we were not heard, appreciated, or recognized. These old wounds do not disappear; they linger and resurface every time we see someone else succeed.
2. Insecurity – The fear of not being ‘enough’—not talented enough, not hardworking enough, not lucky enough—haunts us. Every success story of someone else becomes a reminder of our perceived shortcomings.
3. Inability to Perform or Learn – We sometimes feel paralyzed, believing we cannot grow beyond our current limitations. The comfort zone becomes a cage, and external successes appear as mocking flashes of what we cannot achieve.
4. Social Conditioning – Society teaches us that worth is linked to visible success: a high-paying job, material possessions, fame. When the media glorifies these measures, we are naturally inclined to judge ourselves by the same yardstick.
5. Lack of Purpose or Soulful Connection – Without a clear sense of personal mission or alignment with a deeper purpose, we begin to measure life by external standards. The soul’s quiet path of wisdom becomes lost in the noise of material achievements.

It is true that as we age, we have a tendency to be more patient with the imbalances in the world. We learn from experience that everyone has a different journey, that life is unfair, and that comparisons are pointless. However, acceptance should not imply apathy or resignation. Nor is it the sole path to success.

Should we question our seniors who never recognized us? Should we confront the Almighty in fury for the injustice? Or should we rebel against the world’s systems? These reactions, though natural in moments of despair, only keep us entangled in bitterness.

Then, how can we combat this ongoing struggle when both the wealthiest and the poorest feel that money is always in short supply? How can we continue to progress day by day, step by step, while being less impacted and content at our core, without turning like monks? Personally, I think that “Gratitude” has been helpful to me; it’s the simplest to practise because, even if anything goes wrong, there’s always “something good in it for sure” because nothing is permanent and nothing is right or bad—it’s just a viewpoint of an emotion in the moment.

So, If the goal is to remain unaffected and still pursue personal growth in the midst of societal chaos and relentless comparisons, though this topic is too wide and most self-help books from rooting from Bhagwat Gita to Ikagai have many ways that can help us on this, but here are five practical steps that has helped me any many to navigate this complex landscape.

1. Reconnect With Your Inner Compass

The first and most essential step to overcoming discontentment is to realign with your own values and sense of purpose. In his bestselling self-help book “The Power of Now”, Eckhart Tolle emphasizes the importance of presence over comparison. He writes:

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

This perspective urges us to stop measuring ourselves by others’ achievements and instead, turn inward. Ask yourself: What gives me genuine joy? What am I here to contribute? These questions help shift focus from external validation to internal clarity.

From a spiritual perspective, the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most ancient and profound sources of wisdom, offers similar guidance. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna:

“Perform your duty with detachment, without being attached to the results.” (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

This teaches us that fulfillment does not lie in comparison or the outcome of our actions but in dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to our purpose, without expectation of recognition or reward.

Further aligning with this philosophy, the Japanese concept of Ikigai—often translated as “a reason for being”—explains that true happiness emerges at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Rather than chasing external success stories, Ikigai invites us to find meaning in small, purposeful actions that resonate with our true self.

2. Limit Consumption of Toxic Media

Research has consistently shown that excessive exposure to negative news and social media content adversely affects our neurological and psychological well-being. Studies reveal that the human brain is evolutionarily wired to prioritize negative information—a phenomenon known as the “negativity bias”. This bias helped our ancestors survive by paying extra attention to threats, but in the modern digital age, it causes us to over-consume toxic content, leading to anxiety, stress, and discontent.

• A 2018 study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that doomscrolling correlates with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, as negative news repeatedly activates the amygdala, the brain’s center for fear processing (Garfin, Holman & Silver, 2018).
• Research from PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in 2017 demonstrated that negative headlines trigger stronger brain activity in regions related to threat detection compared to positive or neutral headlines (Coppock & McClellan, 2017).
• Another study in Psychological Science (Baumeister et al., 2001) explained the persistence of negativity bias, showing that negative stimuli tend to have greater psychological impact because they grab attention and are more vividly remembered.
• A 2020 paper in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted how excessive social media usage fosters social comparison, amplifying feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, as users tend to see only curated successes of others (Verduyn et al., 2020).
• Finally, research published in Nature Human Behavior (Brady et al., 2017) found that people share negative news much more frequently than positive news, reinforcing the cycle of toxicity in media ecosystems.

In light of these findings, it is imperative to intentionally restrict the amount of news, information, and social media that is consumed. I would also add that we should limit not only news and social media, but also what people share around us because it has the same effect. For example, if a friend or peer tells you that he has a promotion, you should take it as FACT or DATA rather than adding your own feelings of comparison and storing it in your subconscious, which could later become the main source of discord.

3. Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness

Gratitude and mindfulness are powerful antidotes to envy and discontent. In “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz, the author emphasizes:

“People with small minds always plan the next step; people with superior minds plan for the long run.”

By practicing daily gratitude—such as listing three things you are thankful for, whether it’s a kind smile, the ability to read, or having shelter—you shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s already abundant in your life.

Another classic reference is from “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, where he explains:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

By building small, consistent habits—like daily journaling of three simple things you’re thankful for—we create a system of awareness that shifts our mindset from envy to appreciation.

By consistently cultivating gratitude and mindfulness, we build resilience against the disillusionment that arises from the external noise of success and failure around us.

4. Engage in Service and Empathy

True growth comes when we look beyond ourselves. Engage in activities that help others without expecting anything in return. Volunteering, mentoring, or simply listening to someone’s story can shift focus from self-centered discontent to meaningful connection. Understanding that every individual’s success journey is different helps dissolve the illusion of competition.

5. Embrace Lifelong Learning and Adaptability

One of the most empowering steps is to adopt a mindset of growth. The world is changing rapidly—what was true yesterday may not hold today. Instead of feeling stuck or incapable, see every challenge as an opportunity to learn. Whether it is a new skill, an emotional insight, or a different cultural perspective, learning enriches your sense of self-worth, independent of others’ recognition.

Walk your individual path with humility, curiosity, and a clear sense of purpose that isn’t swayed by the world’s noise. Remember what Marcus Aurelius, the great Stoic philosopher, taught:

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

True success isn’t measured by how much others have achieved or by climbing ladders built by someone else. It’s the quiet wisdom you nurture, the peace you cultivate, and the meaningful contribution you make in your small but significant way. So pause, reflect, and keep your soul’s compass steady. The world will keep spinning in chaos, but you get to choose a path of grace, purpose, and calm.