Letting Go of Doing It for the Plot
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, social media has added a new layer of pressure to our lives: the need to constantly perform and entertain. One trend that highlights this is the idea of “doing it for the plot.” This phrase, popularized by social media users, means making decisions based on how interesting or exciting they will make your life seem to others, almost as if you’re crafting a movie or storyline about yourself. People choose experiences not because they genuinely want them, but because they’ll create content that grabs attention or make for a dramatic story to tell later.
While it may seem harmless or even adventurous at first, this mindset can be dangerous. It prioritizes temporary satisfaction—capturing that Instagram-worthy moment or engaging in something risky for the sake of likes—over genuine happiness and well-being. The problem is that this approach shifts our focus from living authentically to curating a life for an audience. When we’re constantly “doing it for the plot,” we become actors in our own lives, placing more value on the external validation of others rather than our internal sense of peace and fulfillment.
In the long run, living this way can leave us feeling empty, disconnected from ourselves, and dependent on social approval. It’s important to remember that while “the plot” might look exciting online, genuine happiness isn’t about drama or spectacle—it’s about being true to yourself and finding contentment in what brings you lasting joy, not just fleeting attention.
The biggest lesson I learned this year revolved around understanding the pitfalls of temporary satisfaction. Every day, we face numerous opportunities for fleeting pleasure. These moments can come from:
What we choose to buy
What we choose to eat
Where we choose to go
What we choose to do
Who we choose to surround ourselves with
These small choices often lead us down a path of instant gratification. For example, you might eat a piece of cake, knowing it’s not the healthiest option, but it seems like the best choice in the moment. That cake is temporary satisfaction—something that feels good now but doesn’t last. This year, I started to ask myself, “What can I do that will bring lasting happiness, not just temporary pleasure?”
One big driver of temporary satisfaction is the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). We often feel pressured by society to chase what’s popular, exciting, or trending at the moment. But I’ve started to see that real happiness comes from a much deeper place and isn’t so easily found in the quick thrills of life. Recently, I’ve been focusing on living a more sustainable, intentional life, and that shift has completely changed the way I consume and make decisions.
I used to have a habit of over-buying, especially when it came to clothes. But over the past year and a half, I’ve been purging my closet and reassessing my relationship with material things. Now, I make sure that when I buy something, I can create at least three different outfits with it. That small rule helped me shift my perspective. The temporary excitement of buying a trendy top isn’t nearly as satisfying as saving that money for something more meaningful. This shift from short-term desires to mindful consumption has shown me the power of long-term fulfillment.
This idea also extends beyond the material world and into relationships. When we don’t feel comfortable with ourselves or don’t know how to enjoy our own company, we can end up surrounding ourselves with people who aren’t good for us. They fill a void, offering temporary satisfaction—a kind of “quick fix” for loneliness or insecurity. But relying on others for your happiness is dangerous because when they leave, they take your happiness with them. You’re left feeling empty, with the underlying issue still unresolved.
Over the past year, I became so focused on finding solidarity with others that I lost the ability to enjoy solitude. I found myself dependent on other people to feel good, chasing those dopamine hits that being around others brought me. This experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: never trade temporary happiness for long-term regret.
So, as I move forward, I am committed to seeking genuine happiness. What’s the difference? Temporary satisfaction depends on things coming together just right—getting what you want at that moment, being in the right place, or being with the right people. It’s fleeting and depends on external conditions. Genuine happiness, on the other hand, is deeper and doesn’t rely on anything external. It comes from within and is rooted in purpose, alignment with your values, and contentment in your own company.
Practicing genuine happiness requires patience, mindfulness, and self-awareness. It’s about making decisions that serve your long-term well-being rather than chasing quick rewards. It’s about investing in yourself, whether that means setting boundaries with people, being intentional about your purchases, or creating habits that nurture your mind, body, and soul. Genuine happiness isn’t always glamorous or easy, but it’s infinitely more fulfilling and sustainable than the high of temporary satisfaction.
As I step into this new phase of my life, I am choosing genuine happiness over the fleeting pleasure of instant gratification. By making decisions that align with my broader goals and values, I’m creating a life that is not just satisfying in the moment but fulfilling in the long run.
