Insta'nt Dopamine

Feel Good First, Well Being Second.

In today's world, whether we realize it or not, many of us have unknowingly fallen into a trap of prioritizing instant gratification over our long-term well-being. We're living in a culture where immediate satisfaction takes priority, often at the expense of our mental, emotional, and physical health. The behavioral consequences of this and negative long term impact of the outcome of the decisions catered towards achieving instant gratification, has become the "New Norm" way of living. This shift comes with its own set of challenges. Grappling with feelings of isolation, constantly seeking validation, chasing quick dopamine rushes, finding our attention spans shrinking, and falling into the trap of constant comparison culture. While some of us may think we've got it all under control and continue to feed into this "New Norm", culture- I respectfully disagree- I believe it's important for all of us to actively distance ourselves from the prevailing culture that has taken root in our society. We should all actively work against the "New Norm"culture that our society has created.

This phenomenon is particularly evident in our relationship with social media, where we find ourselves constantly seeking validation, chasing likes and followers, and mindlessly scrolling through feeds without considering the consequences.

We've become akin to social media Pacmans, endlessly scrolling without purpose, merely fulfilling a habit that greatly impacts our brains in ways we may not fully comprehend. It shapes our decisions, desires, beliefs, principles, and even our true desires. The paradox is that it's both a massive distraction and a source of inspiration, its true potential lies in its proper utilization, through action.

Perhaps what we truly need is education on how to create actionable decisions and choices to avoid overindulgence in this social media trend and instead harness it for our well-being and mental health, both now and in the future, much like we're learning to leverage AI to our advantage.

Concept of "Feel Good First, Well Being Second"

The concept of "Feel Good First, Well-being Second" encapsulates this tendency to prioritize fleeting pleasures over our deeper needs. It's a reflection of our society's obsession with instant gratification, where we prioritize feeling good in the moment without considering the long-term effects on our well-being.

Instead of taking the time to reflect on how our actions and choices impact our overall health and happiness, we're driven by impulses and cravings that provide temporary relief but leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled in the long run. We've become accustomed to seeking quick fixes and shortcuts to happiness, neglecting the importance of nurturing our well-being in a sustainable way.

The danger of this mindset is that it can lead to a cycle of dependency on instant gratification, making it increasingly difficult to prioritize our well-being in the future. We become trapped in a pattern of seeking out pleasure without considering the consequences, ultimately undermining our long-term happiness and fulfillment.

But it doesn't have to be this way. By recognizing the inherent flaws in prioritizing instant gratification over well-being, we can begin to shift our mindset and make more conscious choices that prioritize our long-term health and happiness. It's about striking a balance between indulging in life's pleasures and taking proactive steps to nurture our well-being, even if it requires patience, discipline, and sacrifice in the short term.

Ultimately, the concept of "Feel Good First, Well-being Second" serves as a reminder to pause and reflect on our priorities. It encourages us to consider the long-term implications of our actions and choices, rather than simply chasing after immediate satisfaction. By embracing this mindset, we can cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness that extends far beyond the fleeting pleasures of the moment.