The Problem with Always Having a Problem—Why Your Brain Won’t Let You Rest
You know that feeling when life is technically going pretty well, but your brain still insists on finding something to stress about?
Like, you finally clear that work deadline, and instead of enjoying the relief, your mind immediately moves on to “But what about that thing next month?”
Or you’ve had a really good day, and right before bed, your brain decides it’s the perfect time to remind you of that awkward thing you said five years ago?
It’s like an endless game of find the next problem. No matter how many things you solve, cross off, or check in with, your mind always finds something new to focus on.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And there’s actually a reason for it—one that has nothing to do with you not being grateful enough, being overly anxious or dramatic and everything to do with how the human brain is wired.
So let’s talk about why we do this, why solving all your problems will never make you feel fully at peace, and what to do instead.
Why Our Minds Always Find Something to Fix
This pattern isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s how the human brain evolved. Our minds are wired to scan for threats as a survival mechanism. This process, called negativity bias, means that our brains naturally focus on what’s wrong more than what’s right.
Thousands of years ago, this was crucial for survival—our ancestors who worried about potential dangers were more likely to avoid them and stay alive. But in modern life, where most of our threats aren’t life-or-death situations, our brains still apply the same pattern to everything.
This is why:
The moment one problem is solved, your brain finds another one—it’s constantly scanning for potential issues.
Even small inconveniences can feel disproportionately stressful because your mind is wired to magnify what’s wrong.
You may struggle to fully enjoy success or peace because your brain is already onto “the next thing.”
Basically, if you feel like your mind is never satisfied, it’s not a personal failure—it’s just how the human brain works.
The Problem-Solving Loop That Never Ends
For years, I lived by the belief that once I solve this one thing, then I’ll feel fully content.
Once I finish this project, then I’ll relax.
Once I move, then I’ll feel settled.
Once I figure out this relationship, then I’ll feel at peace.
And every time I solved something, I’d get a brief sense of relief—until my mind moved on to the next thing. It felt like I was constantly trying to reach a goal, but the moment I got close, it kept moving further away.
At some point, I realized: If solving problems was the key to contentment, I would have reached it by now. Clearly, something needed to shift.
Looking at It from a Different Angle
When I catch myself overthinking and can’t seem to think my way out of it, I try looking at it from a fresh perspective.
Yoga philosophy has been such a great support in this, especially the concept of Santosha—which translates to contentment. But it’s not about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about finding a sense of peace right now, even when things are uncertain, incomplete, or still unfolding.
And that’s what I realized I had been missing.
I had spent so many years trying to fix my way to contentment, believing that once things were just right, I’d finally feel at peace. But what if peace isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we practice?
How Do We Find Contentment When the Mind Wants More?
Let’s be real—just deciding to be content doesn’t magically change how we feel. But I’ve been experimenting with a few shifts in perspective that have made a difference:
Noticing the “Once-This-Then-I’ll-Be-Happy” Thought
Anytime I catch myself thinking, “Once this happens, then I’ll feel content,” I pause. I remind myself that I’ve thought this way before, and even when I got what I wanted, my mind just moved on to the next thing.Reframing the Brain’s Negativity Bias
When my brain fixates on a problem, I ask: Is this actually urgent, or is my mind just doing what it does—searching for something to fix? Often, the answer is the latter.Practicing Gratitude Without Comparison
Instead of “I should be grateful because others have it worse,” I try “I can be grateful for what I have and still want more.” Both can exist at the same time.Shifting Focus to Small, Present-Moment Contentment
Our brains love big wins, but true contentment is usually found in the smallest moments—a warm drink, deep breaths, sunlight through the window. Training the mind to notice these helps interrupt the fixation on what’s missing.
A New Way Forward
I won’t pretend I have this all figured out. My mind still loves to focus on problems. But I’ve realized that waiting for contentment to arrive after the next thing isn’t working.
So instead of continuing to play the game, I’m choosing to shift the way I approach it.
Not by forcing myself to be happy all the time. Not by ignoring real struggles. But by practicing Santosha—learning to be okay with where I am, even as I move forward.
Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: There will always be something to fix. The real question is—can I allow myself to feel content, even while life is still unfolding?
Maybe that’s the practice. Not solving every problem, but learning to be at peace with the fact that there will always be another one. And maybe, just maybe, contentment isn’t something we need to chase. It’s something that’s been here all along, waiting for us to notice.