Being ‘Just Okay’ is the new extraordinary
So, picture this: you’re scrolling on Instagram, and your feed is basically a movie trailer of everyone else’s life.
One friend just got promoted to some role you didn’t even know existed but apparently pays six figures. Another is in Greece — again — posing on a yacht like it’s no big deal. Someone else is getting engaged in Bali with fairy lights and fireworks, as if Nicholas Sparks was hired to direct it.
Meanwhile, you just made the perfect cup of coffee… and honestly? That little victory feels pretty great.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.
Because here’s the secret we’re all slowly figuring out: this whole “extraordinary life” thing we’ve been sold? It’s exhausting. And, surprise — it’s not actually the key to happiness.
The Myth of Extraordinary
From school posters to motivational YouTube videos, we grew up with slogans like “dream big,” “be exceptional,” and “leave a legacy.” It sounded inspiring when we were younger — the idea that happiness comes from massive achievements.
But real life doesn’t play out like a TED Talk. The older we get, the more we realize that maybe not everyone is meant to be a billionaire CEO, a viral TikTok star, or a world-changing activist.
And here’s the kicker: that’s not failure. That’s normal.
The problem is, society treats “normal” like a consolation prize. We’ve been trained to believe that if our lives aren’t constantly leveling up, we’re somehow falling behind. Get the promotion, then the house, then the bigger house, then the international vacations, then the luxury car. And if you pause for even a second? Someone else will “overtake” you.
It’s like playing a video game that never ends. You beat one boss, and immediately another, bigger one appears. You never get to enjoy the victory — you just move on to the next challenge.
But here’s the plot twist: the moment you step away from that race, you realize something life-changing.
Happiness isn’t hiding in the extraordinary. It’s chilling in the ordinary, sipping coffee and waiting for you to look up from your phone.
Tiny Joys > Big Wins (Science Says So)
Think about that moment your phone finally charges from 1% to 100%. Or the bliss of getting home, putting on your comfiest hoodie, and realizing there’s leftover pizza in the fridge.
These tiny joys — or “micro-happiness” moments — have a way of hitting deeper than the big wins.
And there’s science behind it. Psychologists call it the hedonic treadmill: we adapt quickly to big positive changes, so the initial high wears off faster than we expect. Win the lottery? You’ll feel amazing… for a while. Then it becomes your “new normal,” and your happiness resets.
But tiny joys? They’re renewable. You can experience them daily without burnout. They’re like little dopamine snacks for your brain.
Example:
- Big win: You land your dream job. The first week is pure adrenaline. By week three, you’re annoyed at meetings.
- Tiny joy: You find a café that makes the perfect vanilla latte. Every Tuesday, it feels like a treat — and it never gets old.
Big wins are like fireworks — bright but brief. Tiny joys are like fairy lights — smaller, softer, but always there.
The Trend Trap — Are We Actually Happier Following Them?
Trends are fun… until they’re not.
TikTok tells you that the “5 a.m. club” will change your life. Instagram tells you your apartment isn’t aesthetic unless it has neutral-toned decor and at least three types of mood lighting. Your friends are suddenly all into pottery-making, cold plunges, or pilates reformers.
It’s easy to think: If I join in, I’ll be happier. But here’s the catch — trends are designed to look fulfilling, not necessarily be fulfilling.
You might not actually like waking up at 5 a.m. You might not care about matcha lattes. You might prefer messy, cozy spaces over minimalist ones. And that’s fine — your life doesn’t need to pass the Instagram vibe check to be good.
Happiness that’s based on trends is rented. The moment the trend fades, so does the joy.
Slowing Down in a World That Won’t Stop
Modern life is basically a never-ending scroll — news feeds, shopping apps, group chats, emails, updates. Blink and there’s something new.
We live in constant “refresh” mode, and it’s exhausting.
Slowing down is the new rebellion.
Slowing down doesn’t mean quitting your job, moving to the mountains, and raising goats (unless that’s your thing). It means choosing moments of pause in a world that pushes constant motion:
- Eating dinner without your phone.
- Taking a walk without tracking your steps.
- Listening to a friend without planning your reply.
It’s giving yourself permission to rest — without guilt.
Less is More — But Not the Instagram Minimalism Version
Minimalism has been marketed as beige furniture, 3 pairs of pants, and houses so clean they look uninhabited. But the real magic of “less is more” isn’t about stuff — it’s about mental space.
When you strip away the unnecessary — the extra obligations, the comparison games, the things you say “yes” to just to please people — you create room for joy.
For some, that means having a smaller but closer friend circle. For others, it’s picking one hobby they truly love instead of juggling five they’re lukewarm about.
Less noise = more joy.
From FOMO to JOMO
We’ve all been there: it’s Saturday night, you’re home in pajamas, and your group chat is sending photos from a party. Suddenly you feel like you’ve made a terrible life choice.
That’s FOMO — the Fear of Missing Out. It used to run our lives, making us say yes to plans we didn’t even want to attend.
But now? JOMO is taking over. The Joy of Missing Out it means realizing that staying in often wins:
- More sleep.
- No hangover.
- Zero small talk with people you barely know.
JOMO is realizing that if you’re not at an event, you’re probably not missing anything that was meant for you. Peace > Pressure.
How to Actually Live This Out (Without Turning It Into Another Hustle)
Here’s your Gen Z-friendly starter pack for actually embracing this mindset:
- Do One “Small Happy” Thing a Day
Wear your favorite hoodie.
Listen to a nostalgic playlist.
Buy yourself flowers for no reason. - Unfollow the Noise
If someone’s content makes you feel behind, mute them. Guard your mental scroll space like your Wi-Fi password. - Treat Rest Like a Plan
“Do nothing” days are plans. They’re valid. They matter. - Romanticize the Boring
Light a candle while eating takeout.
Make your water in a wine glass.
Pretend grocery shopping is a main character montage. - Check Your “Why”
Ask: “Am I doing this because I want to, or because it’ll look good online?” If it’s the second one, skip it.
So… What If Ordinary Is the New Extraordinary?
We’ve been chasing “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences like they’re the only ticket to happiness. But what if we measured our lives by how often we felt content instead of how often we impressed other people?
Extraordinary is fun, but it’s like dessert — sweet, exciting, and best enjoyed occasionally. Ordinary is your main meal. It’s steady. It’s nourishing. It’s enough.
Your world doesn’t have to look extraordinary to feel extraordinary. Sometimes, the perfect cup of coffee, a playlist you love, and a good laugh with someone you trust beats the biggest milestone.
And maybe that’s the real glow-up — not chasing more, but feeling full with what’s already here.
Final thought: You don’t have to live a “Pinterest-worthy” life to be happy. You just have to live your life — the messy, cozy, ordinary, perfectly imperfect one. That’s where the good stuff is.
At The Karan, we believe that true joy begins when you stop chasing extraordinary and start noticing the beauty of the ordinary. If you’re ready to discover how powerful your simple, authentic life can be, we’re here to guide you.
Book your session with The Karan and take the first step toward a happier, more grounded you.
