From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: If 100 people your age were chosen at random from your last school or workplace, how many do you think would be more satisfied with their lives than you are with yours? Why? What about 1,000 people chosen randomly from anywhere in the world?

Now, before you start comparing yourself to your overachieving ex-classmate or that annoyingly cheerful coworker, let’s take a step back and think about this objectively.

Personally, I’d like to think I fall somewhere in the middle of the pack. I mean, sure, I may not have a yacht or a private island (yet), but I’ve got a roof over my head, food on the table, and a Netflix subscription that keeps me entertained for hours on end. That’s got to count for something, right?

But let’s be real – it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reels of other people’s lives. Social media has a way of making everyone else’s grass seem greener, their vacations more exotic, and their relationships more perfect. But the truth is, we all have our own struggles and challenges that others may not see.

So, if we’re talking about 100 people from my last workplace, I’d guess that maybe 40-50% of them might be more satisfied with their lives than I am. They might have landed their dream job, found their soulmate, or discovered the secret to happiness.

But what about 1,000 people chosen randomly from anywhere in the world? Well, that’s a whole different ballgame. When we zoom out and consider the global population, it’s humbling to realize just how privileged many of us are. According to the World Happiness Report, countries like Finland, Denmark, and Switzerland consistently rank among the happiest in the world, while countries facing war, poverty, and political instability often struggle with lower levels of life satisfaction.

So, if we’re comparing apples to oranges (or in this case, a middle-class American to a subsistence farmer in a developing country), I’d venture to guess that a significant portion of those 1,000 people might face challenges that make my own life look pretty darn good in comparison.

But here’s the thing – life satisfaction is a highly subjective and personal matter. What brings joy and fulfillment to one person may not do the same for another. Some people find happiness in their careers, while others prioritize family and relationships. Some folks are content with a simple life, while others crave adventure and excitement.

At the end of the day, it’s up to each of us to define what a satisfying life looks like and to work towards creating that reality for ourselves. So, instead of comparing ourselves to others, let’s focus on cultivating gratitude for what we have and striving towards what we want.

But enough about me – I want to hear from you! Where do you think you’d fall on the life satisfaction spectrum compared to your peers and the world at large? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about what it means to live a fulfilling life.

Just remember – no matter where you stand, there’s always room for growth, improvement, and a little more joy in your day-to-day. So, keep your chin up, your mind open, and your Netflix queue full, my friends!

Feature Photo by Alexander Dummer