Hedonic Treadmill

The Hedonic Treadmill is a psychological concept suggesting that people quickly return to a stable level of happiness despite changes in their circumstances, such as gaining wealth or experiencing loss. When we achieve something we think will make us happier—like a new job or material possessions—we may feel joy temporarily, but over time, our satisfaction levels revert to where they were before. This phenomenon illustrates that external achievements or possessions do not lead to lasting happiness, emphasizing the importance of internal factors, such as mindset and relationships, in achieving a more sustained sense of well-being.