You Overestimate a Day and Underestimate a Year
This same fallacy applies to a day versus a year.
The problem with our generation is stress. Gen Z, on average, faces more stress, burnout, and anxiety than any generation before us. But why?
Looking at my own life experiences, I think about the times I was in a store with my mom, annoyed at how long she took to pick out a specific soap or walk down every aisle. I would get frustrated, thinking that time could be used elsewhere.
But that mindset says a lot.
Our parents’ generation was introduced to technology. We were born into it. People often blame rising costs—interest rates, groceries, gas—for our stress, and while financial pressure absolutely plays a role, I think the deeper issue is access.
We grew up with instant access to everything. From early devices to constant exposure to social media, influencers, and curated lives, it shaped how we think.
Instant gratification became our default:
- Click → receive
- Post → like
- Message → reply
I remember my mom telling me about how food used to be different. If they wanted a sandwich, they made the bread. Deli meat was a luxury. Even pre-sliced bread was once innovative.
Everything that used to take time—meals, preparation, daily tasks—is now instant.
We’re used to:
- Instant posts
- Instant validation
- Instant results
So when we see someone online showing wealth, relationships, or success, our brains expect similar outcomes just as quickly. Logically, we know it takes time—but mentally, we’ve been trained otherwise.
When love doesn’t come instantly, we give up.
When money doesn’t appear quickly, we get discouraged.
When happiness doesn’t happen overnight, we feel like we’ve failed.
It’s not just external pressure—it’s internal conditioning.
We assume something is wrong if progress isn’t immediate. Over time, that creates stress, burnout, and anxiety—not because we’re incapable, but because we’re impatient.
Real things take time:
- Real wealth
- Real relationships
- Real growth
No one builds a meaningful life in a day.
We need to relearn patience.
Turn your phone off.
The world will still be there tomorrow.
And so will your progress.
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is my favorite example of this. It’s my go-to movie when I need motivation or a pick-me-up, because it perfectly captures what it looks like to work against the grain and push through what’s comfortable. She walked away from an easy life to do something genuinely hard and then she put in the time and did the work. She didn’t just want it, she rewired herself to actually achieve it
Another great story to tune into if you need motivation is The Pursuit of Happyness. In this story, Chris Gardner is ruthless, determined, and his refusal to quit brought him the life he envisioned. This is a sad story, but many people can relate to how it feels to keep getting rejected and having to keep pushing through even though it seems you are the only one who believes in you.
The moral of this article is simple: nothing happens overnight, and nothing is meant to. Don’t stress. Prevent burnout by giving yourself more time, and don’t be afraid to extend your self imposed deadlines.