The other day I was thinking: what would make me feel fulfilled? I considered a few hobbies I could pick up, did a random craft, requested new books from the library, watched a TED talk and called it a night. In my search for fulfillment I took actions, but only recently evaluated their roles in reaching a more realized state…
- The definition of fulfilled is “satisfied or happy because of fully developing one’s abilities or character”
- Maslow defines self-actualization as “the desire for self-fulfillment”
I posit that our conception of fulfillment, which we intend to mean filling a need of the highest order (self-actualization), is tainted with capitalist notions in a few ways.
- We incorrectly conceive our internal happiness with ourselves as a state within our consumer system, as opposed to happiness from within ourselves. This change in framing turns the dialogue inwards and makes it evidently more clear that no product can complete your soul search.
- The idea that fulfillment must constantly be sought is a myth. In my experience, once I feel fulfilled it has a lingering aura. We don’t need to immediately begin searching for the next source of fulfillment… unlike the capitalist system ever begging for more. Being happy with our progress is a critical moment of processing – one that I often forget.
- Fulfilling activities don’t necessarily contribute to financial wealth. I’m the type of person to fall into this trap too often. I enjoy being busy and doing things with “purpose” – such as for a job. However, investing in activities that don’t serve a tangible purpose (reading fiction, playing outside) are still valuable – just for non-monetized abilities and character traits.
The fat joke is that fulfillment doesn’t come from consumption nor does it need to be constantly consumed.
I don’t just want to feel satiated and placated – a capitalist fulfillment. I want to happy about the development of my character, which may require less of a happy mood and more of a critical eye and accepting heart.
-Nanarchy
