Why are people never happy with what they've got?

[AlwaysWondering1]

Just a thought.... why do some people never feel happy with what they have, in a relationship, financially, professionally?

It seems like some people are always trying to pursue more and more even though they have what looks like a perfect life....

I think it's part of the human nature to strive for more, but if you can be content with what you have got you will be happier.

I am happy with what I have (low paid job, shared car, husband, 1 bed flat) but when I talk to older relatives or "more successful" peers its like they expect me to try for more: respected job, car each, children, house with garden. So maybe for other people pressure for more is coming from others too.

I feel I have enough, the money is enough to get by and I enjoy my job, parking is hard enough in my area for one car, my husband and I love each other, our flat is quick to clean and cosy.

Surely it's possible to be happy with what you've got but also see that you could have something better? I'm very happy with my life, have a lovely home and a happy relationship, a car and a job I like. However I wouldn't say no to a bigger house, a better paid job, more free time. Doesnt mean I'm not happy with what I've got.

What PP said.
It's human nature if we didn't to some extent we would still be sitting in caves.

But I constantly teach my dc to self love and be happy for everything they have. It's actually working really well, they can still want nice things and holidays etc but not to replace upset or insecurities

I think it's cultural to an extent. I moved to Denmark several years ago, and noticed something. Despite being touted as the 'happiest nation on Earth' there are plenty of unhappy people, but it's for other reasons (constant months of no bloody sun being a key one, I think.)

They don't seem to strive for more than they have anywhere near as much as the folks back home did, not by a long shot. There's a far greater sense of people being content with what they currently have. I think that's they score highly on these "happiness" surveys. They're no more happy, just more content (and probably less stressed about money with the social wellfare, it still amazes me how relaxed they always are about losing their jobs.)

Social media. Everybody sees everything that everybody has, 24/7. I know what Jennifer anistons beautiful house and her view and her dog look like. Multiply that by the 450 Facebook “friends” that I’ve got. New cars, luxury holidays, beautiful wedding anniversary surprises from “loved up” loves of their lives husbands who “adore” their wonderful wives. It’s constant. It makes you think that the Groundhog Day humdrum, slightly shit, boring existence that you are living is below par and that you’re missing a trick. Everybody’s out for cocktails with their “sisters” and their “tribe” and if you don’t have those things it makes you feel inadequate