In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful idea: most of us aren’t actually chasing happiness — we’re trying to feel less miserable. When happiness becomes the goal, we overthink, compare, and pressure ourselves to feel a certain way. But when we shift the focus to reducing unnecessary suffering, life becomes more manageable, grounded, and sustainable.

Instead of asking “How do I feel amazing?” we ask, “What’s making life heavier than it needs to be?”

Key takeaways:

• Why pursuing happiness can increase rumination and pressure
• How high emotional expectations make normal days feel like failures
• The difference between happiness (a spike) and contentment (a baseline)
• How reducing cognitive load lowers day-to-day misery
• Turning rumination into small, actionable movement
• Focusing on 1–3 priorities instead of overwhelming to-do lists
• Choosing meaningful connection over constant self-optimization
• Lowering the goal from “feel great” to “feel manageable”

This episode isn’t about forced positivity. It’s about relief, proportion, and creating a life that feels lighter — not perfect.

Thrive With Leo Coaching:

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US:

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.