And we're back! The Happy, Not Satisfied podcast was on a brief (not so brief) hiatus.

A few months ago, we were convinced we needed to move.

What started as a search for a different house eventually became a much deeper lesson about stress, perspective, and the hidden cost of constantly trying to optimize our lives.

In this episode, Ellie and I unpack the experience of putting our home on the market, why we thought a move would solve our discomfort, and what we learned when we ultimately decided to stay. We discuss how easy it is to mistake a difficult season for a permanent problem, why "I'll be happy once..." thinking can be so seductive, and how stress can distort the way we see the things that matter most.

We also explore the tension between ambition and contentment, the difference between building a better life and endlessly searching for one, and how to recognize when you're making decisions through what we call "foggy glasses."

If you've ever found yourself convinced that a new job, a new house, a new city, or a major life change would finally make everything feel right, this conversation might help you pause long enough to ask an important question:

Am I seeing this clearly?

Topics include:
• The hidden cost of constant optimization
• Why difficult seasons often create misleading conclusions
• The danger of "I'll be happy once..." thinking
• Stress, perspective, and decision-making
• Learning to appreciate what you already have
• How to know when it's time to make a change—and when it's time to wait

Substack article: https://happynotsatisfied.substack.com/p/looking-at-life-through-foggy-glasses

Dan and Ellie Morrison unpack the moments when we don’t feel ready, motivated, or confident—and why those are the moments that matter most. From creative ruts to personal roadblocks, they explore how doing it anyway isn’t just an act of discipline—it’s a rebellion against fear, perfectionism, and playing small.

HNS Founder Dan Morrison was denied admission to every business school he applied to, including the one he ultimately attended. Hear his story of how he became UNDENIED!

www.happynotsatisfied.com

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