Are you feeling that you are not fulfilled with your life?

Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD • September 5, 2024

Share

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Are you feeling that you are not fulfilled with your life?


You’re not happy, you’re depressed, you’re feeling down, and it’s been like this for months.


You want to feel genuinely happy again, right?


1.Drop the Idea of Chasing Happiness


Happiness is often seen as the ultimate goal, but it’s a fleeting emotion that comes and goes. Instead of constantly chasing happiness, focus on finding meaning and purpose in your life. For example, if you love helping others, consider volunteering at a local charity. Engaging in meaningful activities can lead to a deeper, more lasting sense of fulfillment.


2.Get Moving


Physical activity is crucial for mental health. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to feelings of lethargy and depression. Incorporate at least 15 minutes of intense physical activity into your daily routine. For instance, you could start your day with a quick jog around your neighborhood or join a local fitness class. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and can significantly improve your overall well-being.



3.Feed Your Mind with Positivity


The thoughts you entertain first thing in the morning can set the tone for your entire day. Start your day with positive affirmations, gratitude, or motivational reading. For example, you could keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re thankful for each morning. Avoid checking your phone or watching the news immediately after waking up, as these can often introduce stress and negativity. Instead, focus on cultivating a positive mindset that will carry you through the day.



4.Surround Yourself with the Right People


The company you keep has a profound impact on your mental and emotional health. Spend time with people who inspire, support, and uplift you. For example, if you have a friend who always encourages you to pursue your goals, make an effort to spend more time with them. Avoid those who drain your energy or bring negativity into your life. Building a supportive social network can provide you with the encouragement and positivity needed to feel more fulfilled.


5.Listen to More Than Just Your Basic Needs


While it’s important to satisfy your basic needs like food, sleep, and physical comfort, it’s equally important to nurture your higher needs. These include intellectual stimulation, emotional connection, and personal growth. For instance, you could take up a new hobby that challenges your mind, like learning a new language or playing a musical instrument. Engage in activities that challenge your mind, foster deep relationships, and contribute to your personal development.


6.Work on What Satisfies You


Identify what truly brings you joy and satisfaction. This could be a hobby, a career goal, or a personal project. Dedicate time and effort to these pursuits, as they can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. For example, if you love painting, set aside time each week to work on your art. When you engage in activities that you are passionate about, you are more likely to experience a deeper sense of fulfillment.


List of Services

    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button
    • Slide title

      Write your caption here
      Button

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD

    Mohamad Ali Salloum LinkedIn Profile

    Mohamad-Ali Salloum is a Pharmacist and science writer. He loves simplifying science to the general public and healthcare students through words and illustrations. When he's not working, you can usually find him in the gym, reading a book, or learning a new skill.

    Share

    Recent articles:

    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 21, 2026
    Discover the best ways to learn new skills
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 19, 2026
    Stuck in your head? Discover why overthinking feels productive, how it sabotages your performance, and simple ways to shift into real action.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 17, 2026
    References: Wood W, Quinn JM, Kashy DA. Habits in everyday life: Thought, emotion, and action. J Pers Soc Psychol . 2002;83(6):1281–1297. Wood W, Neal DT. The habitual consumer. J Consum Psychol . 2009;19(4):579–592. Neal DT, Wood W, Labrecque JS, Lally P. How do habits guide behavior? Perceived and actual triggers of habits in daily life. J Exp Soc Psychol . 2012;48(2):492–498. Wood W, Mazar A, Neal DT. Habits and goals in human behavior: Separate but interacting systems. Perspect Psychol Sci . 2021;16(1):1–16. Graybiel AM. Habits, rituals, and the evaluative brain. Annu Rev Neurosci . 2008;31:359–387. Smith KS, Graybiel AM. Habit formation. Dialogues Clin Neurosci . 2016;18(1):33–43. Yin HH, Knowlton BJ. The role of the basal ganglia in habit formation. Nat Rev Neurosci . 2006;7(6):464–476. Graybiel AM. The basal ganglia and chunking of action repertoires. Neurobiol Learn Mem . 1998;70(1–2):119–136. Schultz W. Dopamine reward prediction error coding. Dialogues Clin Neurosci . 2016;18(1):23–32. Schultz W, Dayan P, Montague PR. A neural substrate of prediction and reward. Science . 1997;275(5306):1593–1599. Nasser HM, Calu DJ, Schoenbaum G, Sharpe MJ. The dopamine prediction error: Contributions to associative models of reward learning. Front Psychol . 2017;8:244. Kahnt T, Schoenbaum G. The curious case of dopaminergic prediction errors and learning associative information beyond value. Nat Rev Neurosci . 2025;26:169–178. Lally P, van Jaarsveld CHM, Potts HWW, Wardle J. How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur J Soc Psychol . 2010;40(6):998–1009. American Psychological Association. Harnessing the power of habits. Monitor Psychol . 2020;51(8):78–83.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 15, 2026
    References: Baddeley A. Working memory: theories, models, and controversies. Annu Rev Psychol . 2012;63:1–29. Chai WJ, Abd Hamid AI, Malin Abdullah J. Working memory from the psychological and neurosciences perspectives: a review. Front Psychol . 2018;9:401. Rogers RD, Monsell S. Costs of a predictable switch between simple cognitive tasks. J Exp Psychol Gen . 1995;124(2):207–231. Rubinstein JS, Meyer DE, Evans JE. Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform . 2001;27(4):763–797. Garner KG, Dux PE. Knowledge generalization and the costs of multitasking. Nat Rev Neurosci . 2023;24:98–112. Zhou X, Lei X. Wandering minds with wandering brain networks. Neurosci Bull . 2018;34(6):1017–1028. Sorella S, Crescentini C, Matiz A, et al. Resting‑state default mode network variability predicts spontaneous mind‑wandering. Front Hum Neurosci . 2025;19:1515902. Sweller J. Cognitive load during problem solving: effects on learning. Cogn Sci . 1988;12(2):257–285. 
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 13, 2026
    Why do we procrastinate even when tasks matter most? Discover the emotional roots of procrastination and how to stop
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 11, 2026
    Confidence and self-esteem are often confused but are psychologically distinct. Learn how they differ, how each develops, and why understanding both matters for real growth.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 9, 2026
    Confidence isn’t about eliminating fear—it’s about acting despite it. Discover how courage, discomfort, and psychological growth build real confidence over time.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 7, 2026
    References: McMurray JJV, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Angiotensin–neprilysin inhibition versus enalapril in heart failure. N Engl J Med . 2014;371(11):993–1004. Barter PJ, Caulfield M, Eriksson M, et al. Effects of torcetrapib in patients at high risk for coronary events. N Engl J Med . 2007;357:2109–2122. Kastelein JJP, Akdim F, Stroes ESG, et al. Simvastatin with or without ezetimibe in familial hypercholesterolemia. N Engl J Med . 2008;358:1431–1443. Gerstein HC, Miller ME, Byington RP, et al. Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med . 2008;358:2545–2559. Echt DS, Liebson PR, Mitchell LB, et al. Mortality and morbidity in patients receiving encainide, flecainide, or placebo. N Engl J Med . 1991;324:781–788. Packer M, Anker SD, Butler J, et al. Effect of empagliflozin on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. N Engl J Med . 2020;383:1413–1424. Ioannidis JPA. Surrogate endpoints in clinical trials: are we being misled? BMJ . 2013;346:f314.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 4, 2026
    References: Wager TD, Atlas LY. The neuroscience of placebo effects: connecting context, learning and health. Nat Rev Neurosci . 2015;16(7):403‑18. Frisaldi E, Shaibani A, Benedetti F, Pagnini F. Placebo and nocebo effects associated with pharmacological interventions: an umbrella review. BMJ Open . 2023;13:e077243. Colloca L, Finniss D. Nocebo effects, patient‑clinician communication, and therapeutic outcomes. JAMA . 2012;307(6):567‑8. Howard JP, Wood FA, Finegold JA, et al. Side effect patterns in a blinded, randomized trial of statin, placebo, and no treatment. N Engl J Med . 2021;385(23):2180‑9. Penson PE, Mancini GBJ, Toth PP, et al. Introducing the “drucebo” effect in statin therapy. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle . 2018;9(6):1023‑33. Barnes K, Faasse K, Geers AL, et al. Can positive framing reduce nocebo side effects? Front Pharmacol . 2019;10:167. Caliskan EB, Bingel U, Kunkel A. Translating knowledge on placebo and nocebo effects into clinical practice. Pain Rep . 2024;9(2):e1142. von Wernsdorff M, Loef M, Tuschen‑Caffier B, Schmidt S. Effects of open‑label placebos in clinical trials: a systematic review and meta‑analysis. Sci Rep . 2021;11:3855.
    By Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD May 4, 2026
    References: Zaniletti I, Larson DR, Lewallen DG, Berry DJ, Maradit Kremers H. How to distinguish correlation from causation in orthopaedic research. J Arthroplasty. 2023;38(4):634–637. Rush J, Ajami M, Look KA, Margolis A. Statistics review part 10: causality and confounding. J Pharm Soc Wis. 2014;17(1):45–52. Koopmans E, Schiller C. Understanding causation in healthcare: an introduction to critical realism. Qual Health Res. 2022;32(8–9):1207–1214. Kahlert J, Gribsholt SB, Gammelager H, Dekkers OM, Luta G. Control of confounding in the analysis phase – an overview for clinicians. Clin Epidemiol. 2017;9:195–204. Shi AX, Zivich PN, Chu H. A comprehensive review and tutorial on confounding adjustment methods for estimating treatment effects using observational data. Appl Sci (Basel). 2024;14(9):3662. Gao Y, Xiang L, Yi H, Song J, Sun D, Xu B, et al. Confounder adjustment in observational studies investigating multiple risk factors: a methodological study. BMC Med. 2025;23:132. Ho FK, Brown J, Galwey NW. Regression adjustment for causal inference. BMJ Med. 2025;4:e000816. Correia LCL, Mascarenhas RF, Menezes FSC, Oliveira Junior JS, Vaccarino V, Ross JS, et al. Confounder selection in observational studies in high‑impact medical and epidemiological journals. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2524176.
    More Posts