Thursday, 8th October 2026.
I was chatting to one of my good friends, Cooper. We were sitting down filming a podcast, and an interesting point of discussion came up.
"Does being content refer to finding happiness, or does it better align with finding peace?"
By definition, it is the feeling of happiness and satisfaction. On the surface, this makes sense. To be content is to be satisfied, and to feel some element of joy. But I think there is more depth to what it truly means to be content.
In my mind, the combination of happiness and satisfaction leaves us with peace. This is not to say that happiness = peace, or that satisfaction = peace, because this would be false. Rather, it is to suggest that peace is the intersection of these two achievements.
Peace should be the mission. Through the ambitious pursuit of goals that make us happy, we can drive ourselves towards achievements that satisfy us and also bring us joy. Although this is very surface level, it's probably a great approach for the ambitious individual.
Something I've been reading about is the circle of control, and I believe that this is a huge factor in the pursuit of peace. I struggle with stress and anxiety from time to time, and it's because I tend to worry about things that I have no control or influence over.
Examples of this in my life are how other people interpret what I say or do, how people talk to me, and whether I'm met with respect or disrespect. These are classic examples of things I stress over, and they strip away at my journey towards contentment and peace.
But simply saying “let them” (thanks, Mel Robbins!) has helped me understand that everyone is going through their own stuff. I shouldn't let my emotions be dictated by factors in my environment over which I have zero control. Instead, my energy would be better directed towards the parts I can control.
By taking my own advice, I've allowed myself to focus more on my own reaction to other people’s actions. If I pay close attention to the way I react, and the things I want to say or do, I can easily see the areas that need improvement.
If someone sends me a nasty or passive-aggressive message, there could be a million reasons why this person feels the need to send it. I have no control over how they feel, and I certainly have no control over what they say. The only thing I can control is my own reaction, which will allow me to focus on better understanding my own emotions.
This is the start of a new chapter in my own journey. Therapy is something I've never fully committed to, but I'm super excited to be starting. By focusing on the circle of control, I'm hoping to prioritise peace in my life, not only through the pursuit of my goals, but also through the elimination of unnecessary stress.
Therapy has also got me thinking more about my conversation with Cooper on what it means to be content. I'm curious: do you associate being content with being happy, peaceful, satisfied, or a mixture of the three?
Talk soon.
Discussion