Why have we become so dissatisfied with being ordinary?
- FNBC
- Aug 13, 2021
- 1 min read
Society bombards us with instructions to be happier, fitter and richer. Why have we become so dissatisfied with being ordinary?
Psychoanalyst Josh Cohen explains how over-crowded labour markets and unaffordable housing are driving young people to ever greater lengths to secure a competitive advantage. And the pandemic has only accentuated this trend.
Meanwhile social media is creating additional pressure to construct a perfect public image, exacerbating our feelings of inadequacy.
The perfectionists of today feel an obligation to stand out through their idiosyncratic style and wit.
A stellar test score or a thousand Instagram likes can deliver the fleeting sensation that everything is under control. That sensation quickly fades, of course, and requires constant refreshing.
Life can only begin when we give up perfectionism. Find out why
Illustration: Adam Simpson
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