Why are we told to settle… just because we have it better than some?

It was a fine Saturday. It was 4:30 in the evening and I was doing my usual routine when I suddenly found myself tearing up.

And my very first thought was — ‘how ungrateful am I?’

Do you often hear phrases like — ‘be happy with what you have’ or ‘be grateful you at least got an education to support yourself’?

In a world where ‘be happy with what you have’ is preached, I find myself standing on the other side of it.

In a place where we are constantly asked to stop expecting more from life just because we have the basics sorted out — I quietly rebel.

No, I don’t encourage being an ungrateful brat.

But what angers me is when people ask you to dream less — not just because the dream is too big or unrealistic but because you’re told to be happy with what you’re blessed with.

You are asked to stick with that decent, “good enough” career and compromise on certain things because well, at least you have a roof on top of your head — at least you have something.

But who decided that “something” was enough?

Yes, I am grateful to have a roof on top of my head. But that doesn’t mean I’m supposed to sit under the damn roof and stop dreaming.

Calling out people who are aiming high and judging them for not being grateful is not cool.

Sometimes, we tend to feel guilty when we find ourselves cribbing about the little things.

But let me tell you one thing — just because you have it better than a certain person doesn’t mean you invalidate your own struggles.

Is it really wrong to feel sad about what you don’t have, just because others might have it worse?

I don’t think so.

Here’s the thing — You can be deeply thankful for everything you have and still want more.

And still feel sad sometimes.

And still breakdown for no apparent reason.

You’re allowed to want more from life.

You’re allowed to dream big.

You’re allowed to try new things beyond your scope.

So the next time you find you find yourself guilty for wanting more, remember that it is normal to feel so and keep building the life you are dreaming of.