September 28, 2025 • 14 mins
Welcome to Fat Bear Week; an annual online competition to find the chonkiest brown bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park.
Plus, we explore "Life Dysmorphia," that feeling of secret misery when your life looks perfect on paper, but you still feel like you're falling short.
And in headlines today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese isn’t giving too much away what he will speak to Donald Trump about next month in Washington but there are reports the new 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals will be on the list; The PM is currently in the UK, having had lunch with King Charles at Balmoral and delivering a speech at UK Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, telling the audience it was critical for Australia and Britain to work closely together at a time of global uncertainty; US President Donald Trump has threatened to send troops into what he called war ravaged Portland Oregon saying it’s to protect immigration detention facilities from domestic terrorists; Three police officers who were fatally shot recently while on duty will be honoured by their law enforcement colleagues across Australia on National Police Remembrance Day today; Selena Gomez got hitched to her man Benny Blanco yesterday with some of her besties, including Taylor Swift watching on
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Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to Amma Mia podcast. Mumma Mea acknowledges the
traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast is recorded.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
On Hey, I'm Taylor Strano. This is Mamma MIA's twice
daily news podcast, The Quickie.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Are you smarter than the average bear? What about? Hungrier
Fat Bear? Week is almost drawing to a close. But
what exactly is it? And why? For one week every year?
Is the world so taken aback by these big fuzzy creatures? Plus?
Are you living your best life?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And despite everything looking pretty rosy, you're still feeling a
little ripped off? You, my friend might have life dys morphia.
Don't panic though, There's still hope for you yet. Before
we get there, here's Claire Murphy with the latest from
the Quiki newsroom for Monday, September twenty nine.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks Taylor.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Prime Minister Anthony Alberonezi isn't giving too much away about
what he'll speak to Donald Trump about next month in Washington,
but there are reports the new one hundred sent tariffon
pharmaceuticals will be on the list. Mister Albanzi is currently
in the UK, having had lunch with King Charles at Bowmorrel,
and then delivering a speech at UK Labour's annual conference
in Liverpool, telling the audience it was critical for Australia
(01:23):
and Britain to work closely together at a time of
global uncertainty. The speech to the conference came on the
final full day of mister Albanesi's three day visit to
the UK. Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, whom mister
Albanzi called a labor legend, was also in the audience.
Mister Albanizi said the Australian and the UK governments have
a responsibility to make difficult decisions while in office, saying,
(01:45):
while governments always need to be able to tell the
difference between what's urgent and what's important, in the end
we have to do both, saying from standing together with
the Coalition of the Willing to help secure peace on
Ukraine's terms and working together to break the cycle of
violence in the Middle East and build something better by
recognizing the state of Palestine. Mister Albinizi will return to
(02:05):
Australia via the United Arab Emirates following a week abroad
in the UK and the US for the United Nations
General Assembly before heading to Washington for a meeting with
Trump on October twenty. Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump
has threatened to send troops into what he's calling war
ravaged Portland, Oregon, saying it's to protect immigration detention facilities
(02:26):
from domestic terrorists. The mayor of the city says there's
no need for troops there, Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, saying
there's no national security threat in Portland and that the
community was safe and calm. The President has sent troops
into Los Angeles to combat protests against the Trump administration's
cracked down on immigrants, and has threatened to send them
into Chicago, but that hasn't happened at this stage. He's
(02:48):
cracking down on the radical left or Antifa members, who
he refers to as domestic terrorists. Three police officers who
were fatally shot recently while on duty will be honored
by law enforcement colleagues across Australia on National Police Remembrance
Day today. Australian federal police and state and territory representatives
will attend the National Police Memorial in Canberra today to
(03:08):
remember officers who gave their lives in service to the community.
The commemoration holds a heightened and somber significance this year,
following the fatal shootings of an officer in Tasmania on
June sixteenth and two Victorian police members in Paupunko on
August twenty six Neil Thompson and Vadam de vaud HoTT
Art were gunned down in the small town. Their alleged
killer remains on the run. Tasmania Police constable Keith Anthony
(03:32):
Smith was fatally shot while attending a private residence on
frontline duties in North Morton. A man remains before the
courts charged with murder over his death. Selena Gomez got
hitch to her man Benny Blanco yesterday with some of
her besties watching on. Gomez posted a series of polaroid
shots on her Instagram, racking up millions of likes within
a minute, showing her in her wedding dress alongside her
(03:53):
man Blanco in a traditional black suit. Her best friend
Taylor Swift was reportedly in attendance, as were Gomez's only
murders in the building, Coastars Martin Short and Steve Martin.
Fellow castmate Meryl Streep wasn't there, possibly because she was
in Milan shooting the sequel of The Devil Wears Prada. Streep,
in character as Miranda Priestley, was seen with co star
Stanley Tucci attending Adulchy and Gabanna fashion show in a
(04:16):
recreation of the three Spider Men pointing at each other
meme and a win tour. The outgoing editor of Vogue
and the reported inspiration for Streep's character, sat across the
runway from her.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Thanks Claire. Next, it's Fat Bear Week.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I think we found the most wholesome part of the Internet.
And better still, it's got Fat Bears. Now in its
eleventh year, an online competition sees people around the world
casting their vote for the chonkiest brown bears in the land.
It kicks off each year at Alaska's Cadmai National Park,
home to over two thousand, two hundred brown bears that
(04:57):
spend all summer along gorging themselves on salmon at Brooks River.
The goal getting absolutely massive for winter hibernation. It said,
the fattest bears are the healthiest bears because they have
the best chance to make it through the cold, dark
Alaskan winter. So here's how Fat Bear Week works. Rangers
document the Bears from Sad Skinny in early June to
(05:20):
absolute unit by September. Then the public votes online for
which Bears have transformed the most. It plays out like
a March Madness style bracket from Fat Bear Week Junior
all the way to the final showdown on Fat Bear
Tuesday at the end of September. No scales, just side
by side photos and fans campaigning for their favorites.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Park rangers pick.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Entrance based on size, age, personal story, and sometimes tragic
or heroic arc like Chunk, last year's runner up, who
fished with a broken jaw but still managed to stack
on enough kegs to compete. Famous bears, like four time
champion Otis are legends, but they don't always show up.
(06:04):
This year, a fresh crop of whipper Snappers is in
the running, and conspicuously Chunk Mum's fostering cubs get extra
love from voters.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I surveyed my colleague. These are their picks.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Ladies and gentlemen, coming to you direct from Brooks River
and Alaska, Welcome to Fat Bear Week twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Ring out boats Bear. Firstly, they like the look of
Bear nine oh nine, daughter.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Of Fat Bear Royalty bead Nos nine oh nine has
inherited both the fishing skills and the flare for fatness
that runs in the family. Though she's faced some tough times,
she's bounced back with bold moves, big gains, and possibly
and even beef the future ahead.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Then there's Ban nine oh one.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Nine oh one burst onto the scene in twenty eighteen
and has quickly become one of Brooks River's most recognizable ladies.
Despite some heartbreak after losing her she's bulked up beautifully
and is gearing up for a comeback that could make
her a supermum next season.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
And finally, my other coworkers like the odds on one
two eight Grazer.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Brooks River legend since two thousand and five. Grazier one
two eight is a no nonsense bear who commands respect
and prime fishing spots alike. With two fat Bear titles
under her belt and a junior Champ cub in tow,
she's proving that toughness, talent, and a whole lot of
salmon make for one unstoppable bear.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Mum right, but why does any of this actually matter?
Beyond sparking some light in another place? Pretty dim world
at the moment, it raises global awareness of wildlife conservation
and shows off the health of Catmei's ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
The bears get fat because.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
The salmon run remains one of the planet's greatest natural wonders.
More than a million votes are cast in every year,
and millions watch the parks live webcam, cheering their champions on.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
From across the globe.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So as Fat Bear Week comes to a close in
just a few days, it's a good reminder in a
world obsessed with diets. Sometimes you just need to celebrate
getting massive, or celebrate getting on.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
The chew, especially if you're a bear.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
We've never lived longer or richer lives than right now.
But if that's true, why does it feel like so
many people are secretly miserable? Why can't we stop comparing, ruminating,
and feeling like we're falling short of the life everybody
else seems to be living. That feeling has got a name,
life dysmorphia. It's that disconnect between what our lives look
(08:57):
like on paper versus how.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
They feel inside our heads.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
You've got the job, the friends, the partner, maybe the
family and the holidays, but for some reason, it still
doesn't feel enough. You're running on the hedonic treadmill, where
every achievement just raises the bar.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Why is this happening.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Though, Well, partly it's social media, everyone else's life looks better.
Partly it's economic reality, cost of living insecure work, housing
pressures a lot, anxiety and dissatisfaction are at record highs.
The World Happiness Reports says Australia slipped out of the
global top ten this year, but there is hope. Clinical
(09:37):
psychologist Stephanie Georgio might have the answers. Stephanie, is life
dysmorphia just a direct result of seeing.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
How the other half lives on social media?
Speaker 5 (09:47):
That is such a great question. I just want to
say that life dysmorphia, it's not a clinical diagnosis or
anything like that, but it's a growing pattern of thinking
where people are feeling that their lives are minimized. They
feel as though they're not living up to this bar
that they should be living up to, and essentially it
(10:08):
really is a just staughted appraisal of your life. So
to answer your question, it is getting increasingly common for
people to feel this dysmorphia about their life, but it's
not a clinical diagnosis.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Where is this idea coming from.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Then if it's not a clinical diagnosis, why are people
feeling this way such.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
A great question. There are more and more people starting
to feel this life dysmorphia for two main reasons. The
first is upward comparison, and what this means is people
are comparing themselves to others on social media. They're seeing
people with more money, more success, more fame, and then
all of a sudden, when this becomes your new norm,
(10:49):
you start to see yourself as an outlier or as abnormal.
So social media is one of the key reasons that
we really are starting to think that our lives are
a lot worse than what they actually might be. And
the second thing is this term called hedonic adaptation, which
basically means pleasure or happiness. This hedonic treadmill, we are
(11:11):
constantly raising the bar to what it takes for us
to be happy. So for example, I'll be happy when
I get that job, and then you get the job,
and then that happiness becomes your baseline. So we're always
chasing this positive changes because we are adapting to that
dopamine and that pleasure that it's giving us in the moment,
(11:33):
So we're almost desensitizing ourselves to feeling happy. That the
bar just keeps getting higher and higher.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
It sounds completely exhausting.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
What are some of the other side effects of living
your life this way.
Speaker 5 (11:47):
If you're constantly comparing yourself to others, chasing success happiness
that you think you don't have, you are never going
to really feel happy. The issue is the brain looks
for information to validate our beliefs. So if you're constantly
thinking I'm not successful enough, I'm not rich enough, I'm
not happy, your brain is going to look for all
(12:09):
of these gaps in your day to day life and
look for what's missing rather than what is actually working
in your life. And that's where the dysmorphia happens. Because
dysmorphia just basically means distorted and we're seeing our lives
in this distorted light because we're constantly focusing on what's
missing and not what is actually going well.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
There might be people out there listening who think, oh,
we've all got it pretty good here in Australia. We've
got the sunshine, we've all got pretty good jobs. The
cost of living is an issue that everybody is facing,
but for the most part, when you look at other
parts of the world especially, It's actually not that bad here,
so why are people complaining? Is that the right mindset
to approach this? If you are feeling that way, is
(12:51):
it just a bit of a reality check or is
it something a bit deeper.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
It's such an interesting question, and I believe it varies
for everyone. For different people. People have different standards of themselves.
They've grown up with different upbringing. So I think whilst
we can say we should be grateful we live in Australia,
everything's amazing, It's okay. From time to time, you know,
to evaluate your life and think, not where I want
(13:15):
to be? But the real question is is this helpful
for me? Is it helpful for me to constantly be
focusing on what I don't have? Does it make me
feel good? Does it put me in a good state?
But gratitude really helps us come back to earth and
bring us back to our center. But at the same time,
we don't want to invalidate our feelings. If we are
(13:37):
having a bad day, but we just want to remember
a bad day or a bad moment, it doesn't mean
a bad life.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
So if somebody right now is listening and they're caught
up in that cycle, they're thinking, oh, things aren't exactly
going to plan how I wanted. Or I can see
that I've got a good life, but I still can't
seem to shake this feeling. What are some of the
ways that they can help overcome that you've mentioned their gratitude.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Yeah, another thing is just awareness proceeds changed. So just
become aware of when this dysmorphia is showing up for you.
Is it showing up for you when you're scrolling on
your phone, when you're on social media? Is it showing
up for you when you're hanging around your friends and
start to catch it before it gets out of control?
Say no, we're going to redirect this because focus equals feeling,
(14:21):
and if you're always focusing on lack, you are going
to feel lack. So when you recognize it, redirect it
and then we're going to reframe it. So instead of thinking,
oh I wish I had that, instead, let's have a look.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
At what do I have?
Speaker 5 (14:35):
Where was I a year ago or a month ago?
So instead of comparing yourself to other people, bring it
back to you and what you have accomplished and what
you have done, because it's going to put you in
a better state. To do the things that are important
to you.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Thanks for taking some time to feed your mind with
us today.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
The Quikie is produced by me Taylor Strano, and Claire Murphy,
with audio production by Lou Hill.
You're listening to Amma Mia podcast. Mumma Mea acknowledges the
traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast is recorded.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
On Hey, I'm Taylor Strano. This is Mamma MIA's twice
daily news podcast, The Quickie.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Are you smarter than the average bear? What about? Hungrier
Fat Bear? Week is almost drawing to a close. But
what exactly is it? And why? For one week every year?
Is the world so taken aback by these big fuzzy creatures? Plus?
Are you living your best life?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And despite everything looking pretty rosy, you're still feeling a
little ripped off? You, my friend might have life dys morphia.
Don't panic though, There's still hope for you yet. Before
we get there, here's Claire Murphy with the latest from
the Quiki newsroom for Monday, September twenty nine.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks Taylor.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Prime Minister Anthony Alberonezi isn't giving too much away about
what he'll speak to Donald Trump about next month in Washington,
but there are reports the new one hundred sent tariffon
pharmaceuticals will be on the list. Mister Albanzi is currently
in the UK, having had lunch with King Charles at Bowmorrel,
and then delivering a speech at UK Labour's annual conference
in Liverpool, telling the audience it was critical for Australia
(01:23):
and Britain to work closely together at a time of
global uncertainty. The speech to the conference came on the
final full day of mister Albanesi's three day visit to
the UK. Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, whom mister
Albanzi called a labor legend, was also in the audience.
Mister Albanizi said the Australian and the UK governments have
a responsibility to make difficult decisions while in office, saying,
(01:45):
while governments always need to be able to tell the
difference between what's urgent and what's important, in the end
we have to do both, saying from standing together with
the Coalition of the Willing to help secure peace on
Ukraine's terms and working together to break the cycle of
violence in the Middle East and build something better by
recognizing the state of Palestine. Mister Albinizi will return to
(02:05):
Australia via the United Arab Emirates following a week abroad
in the UK and the US for the United Nations
General Assembly before heading to Washington for a meeting with
Trump on October twenty. Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump
has threatened to send troops into what he's calling war
ravaged Portland, Oregon, saying it's to protect immigration detention facilities
(02:26):
from domestic terrorists. The mayor of the city says there's
no need for troops there, Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, saying
there's no national security threat in Portland and that the
community was safe and calm. The President has sent troops
into Los Angeles to combat protests against the Trump administration's
cracked down on immigrants, and has threatened to send them
into Chicago, but that hasn't happened at this stage. He's
(02:48):
cracking down on the radical left or Antifa members, who
he refers to as domestic terrorists. Three police officers who
were fatally shot recently while on duty will be honored
by law enforcement colleagues across Australia on National Police Remembrance
Day today. Australian federal police and state and territory representatives
will attend the National Police Memorial in Canberra today to
(03:08):
remember officers who gave their lives in service to the community.
The commemoration holds a heightened and somber significance this year,
following the fatal shootings of an officer in Tasmania on
June sixteenth and two Victorian police members in Paupunko on
August twenty six Neil Thompson and Vadam de vaud HoTT
Art were gunned down in the small town. Their alleged
killer remains on the run. Tasmania Police constable Keith Anthony
(03:32):
Smith was fatally shot while attending a private residence on
frontline duties in North Morton. A man remains before the
courts charged with murder over his death. Selena Gomez got
hitch to her man Benny Blanco yesterday with some of
her besties watching on. Gomez posted a series of polaroid
shots on her Instagram, racking up millions of likes within
a minute, showing her in her wedding dress alongside her
(03:53):
man Blanco in a traditional black suit. Her best friend
Taylor Swift was reportedly in attendance, as were Gomez's only
murders in the building, Coastars Martin Short and Steve Martin.
Fellow castmate Meryl Streep wasn't there, possibly because she was
in Milan shooting the sequel of The Devil Wears Prada. Streep,
in character as Miranda Priestley, was seen with co star
Stanley Tucci attending Adulchy and Gabanna fashion show in a
(04:16):
recreation of the three Spider Men pointing at each other
meme and a win tour. The outgoing editor of Vogue
and the reported inspiration for Streep's character, sat across the
runway from her.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Thanks Claire. Next, it's Fat Bear Week.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I think we found the most wholesome part of the Internet.
And better still, it's got Fat Bears. Now in its
eleventh year, an online competition sees people around the world
casting their vote for the chonkiest brown bears in the land.
It kicks off each year at Alaska's Cadmai National Park,
home to over two thousand, two hundred brown bears that
(04:57):
spend all summer along gorging themselves on salmon at Brooks River.
The goal getting absolutely massive for winter hibernation. It said,
the fattest bears are the healthiest bears because they have
the best chance to make it through the cold, dark
Alaskan winter. So here's how Fat Bear Week works. Rangers
document the Bears from Sad Skinny in early June to
(05:20):
absolute unit by September. Then the public votes online for
which Bears have transformed the most. It plays out like
a March Madness style bracket from Fat Bear Week Junior
all the way to the final showdown on Fat Bear
Tuesday at the end of September. No scales, just side
by side photos and fans campaigning for their favorites.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Park rangers pick.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Entrance based on size, age, personal story, and sometimes tragic
or heroic arc like Chunk, last year's runner up, who
fished with a broken jaw but still managed to stack
on enough kegs to compete. Famous bears, like four time
champion Otis are legends, but they don't always show up.
(06:04):
This year, a fresh crop of whipper Snappers is in
the running, and conspicuously Chunk Mum's fostering cubs get extra
love from voters.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I surveyed my colleague. These are their picks.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Ladies and gentlemen, coming to you direct from Brooks River
and Alaska, Welcome to Fat Bear Week twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Ring out boats Bear. Firstly, they like the look of
Bear nine oh nine, daughter.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Of Fat Bear Royalty bead Nos nine oh nine has
inherited both the fishing skills and the flare for fatness
that runs in the family. Though she's faced some tough times,
she's bounced back with bold moves, big gains, and possibly
and even beef the future ahead.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Then there's Ban nine oh one.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Nine oh one burst onto the scene in twenty eighteen
and has quickly become one of Brooks River's most recognizable ladies.
Despite some heartbreak after losing her she's bulked up beautifully
and is gearing up for a comeback that could make
her a supermum next season.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
And finally, my other coworkers like the odds on one
two eight Grazer.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Brooks River legend since two thousand and five. Grazier one
two eight is a no nonsense bear who commands respect
and prime fishing spots alike. With two fat Bear titles
under her belt and a junior Champ cub in tow,
she's proving that toughness, talent, and a whole lot of
salmon make for one unstoppable bear.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Mum right, but why does any of this actually matter?
Beyond sparking some light in another place? Pretty dim world
at the moment, it raises global awareness of wildlife conservation
and shows off the health of Catmei's ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
The bears get fat because.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
The salmon run remains one of the planet's greatest natural wonders.
More than a million votes are cast in every year,
and millions watch the parks live webcam, cheering their champions on.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
From across the globe.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So as Fat Bear Week comes to a close in
just a few days, it's a good reminder in a
world obsessed with diets. Sometimes you just need to celebrate
getting massive, or celebrate getting on.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
The chew, especially if you're a bear.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
We've never lived longer or richer lives than right now.
But if that's true, why does it feel like so
many people are secretly miserable? Why can't we stop comparing, ruminating,
and feeling like we're falling short of the life everybody
else seems to be living. That feeling has got a name,
life dysmorphia. It's that disconnect between what our lives look
(08:57):
like on paper versus how.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
They feel inside our heads.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
You've got the job, the friends, the partner, maybe the
family and the holidays, but for some reason, it still
doesn't feel enough. You're running on the hedonic treadmill, where
every achievement just raises the bar.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Why is this happening.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Though, Well, partly it's social media, everyone else's life looks better.
Partly it's economic reality, cost of living insecure work, housing
pressures a lot, anxiety and dissatisfaction are at record highs.
The World Happiness Reports says Australia slipped out of the
global top ten this year, but there is hope. Clinical
(09:37):
psychologist Stephanie Georgio might have the answers. Stephanie, is life
dysmorphia just a direct result of seeing.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
How the other half lives on social media?
Speaker 5 (09:47):
That is such a great question. I just want to
say that life dysmorphia, it's not a clinical diagnosis or
anything like that, but it's a growing pattern of thinking
where people are feeling that their lives are minimized. They
feel as though they're not living up to this bar
that they should be living up to, and essentially it
(10:08):
really is a just staughted appraisal of your life. So
to answer your question, it is getting increasingly common for
people to feel this dysmorphia about their life, but it's
not a clinical diagnosis.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Where is this idea coming from.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Then if it's not a clinical diagnosis, why are people
feeling this way such.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
A great question. There are more and more people starting
to feel this life dysmorphia for two main reasons. The
first is upward comparison, and what this means is people
are comparing themselves to others on social media. They're seeing
people with more money, more success, more fame, and then
all of a sudden, when this becomes your new norm,
(10:49):
you start to see yourself as an outlier or as abnormal.
So social media is one of the key reasons that
we really are starting to think that our lives are
a lot worse than what they actually might be. And
the second thing is this term called hedonic adaptation, which
basically means pleasure or happiness. This hedonic treadmill, we are
(11:11):
constantly raising the bar to what it takes for us
to be happy. So for example, I'll be happy when
I get that job, and then you get the job,
and then that happiness becomes your baseline. So we're always
chasing this positive changes because we are adapting to that
dopamine and that pleasure that it's giving us in the moment,
(11:33):
So we're almost desensitizing ourselves to feeling happy. That the
bar just keeps getting higher and higher.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
It sounds completely exhausting.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
What are some of the other side effects of living
your life this way.
Speaker 5 (11:47):
If you're constantly comparing yourself to others, chasing success happiness
that you think you don't have, you are never going
to really feel happy. The issue is the brain looks
for information to validate our beliefs. So if you're constantly
thinking I'm not successful enough, I'm not rich enough, I'm
not happy, your brain is going to look for all
(12:09):
of these gaps in your day to day life and
look for what's missing rather than what is actually working
in your life. And that's where the dysmorphia happens. Because
dysmorphia just basically means distorted and we're seeing our lives
in this distorted light because we're constantly focusing on what's
missing and not what is actually going well.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
There might be people out there listening who think, oh,
we've all got it pretty good here in Australia. We've
got the sunshine, we've all got pretty good jobs. The
cost of living is an issue that everybody is facing,
but for the most part, when you look at other
parts of the world especially, It's actually not that bad here,
so why are people complaining? Is that the right mindset
to approach this? If you are feeling that way, is
(12:51):
it just a bit of a reality check or is
it something a bit deeper.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
It's such an interesting question, and I believe it varies
for everyone. For different people. People have different standards of themselves.
They've grown up with different upbringing. So I think whilst
we can say we should be grateful we live in Australia,
everything's amazing, It's okay. From time to time, you know,
to evaluate your life and think, not where I want
(13:15):
to be? But the real question is is this helpful
for me? Is it helpful for me to constantly be
focusing on what I don't have? Does it make me
feel good? Does it put me in a good state?
But gratitude really helps us come back to earth and
bring us back to our center. But at the same time,
we don't want to invalidate our feelings. If we are
(13:37):
having a bad day, but we just want to remember
a bad day or a bad moment, it doesn't mean
a bad life.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
So if somebody right now is listening and they're caught
up in that cycle, they're thinking, oh, things aren't exactly
going to plan how I wanted. Or I can see
that I've got a good life, but I still can't
seem to shake this feeling. What are some of the
ways that they can help overcome that you've mentioned their gratitude.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Yeah, another thing is just awareness proceeds changed. So just
become aware of when this dysmorphia is showing up for you.
Is it showing up for you when you're scrolling on
your phone, when you're on social media? Is it showing
up for you when you're hanging around your friends and
start to catch it before it gets out of control?
Say no, we're going to redirect this because focus equals feeling,
(14:21):
and if you're always focusing on lack, you are going
to feel lack. So when you recognize it, redirect it
and then we're going to reframe it. So instead of thinking,
oh I wish I had that, instead, let's have a look.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
At what do I have?
Speaker 5 (14:35):
Where was I a year ago or a month ago?
So instead of comparing yourself to other people, bring it
back to you and what you have accomplished and what
you have done, because it's going to put you in
a better state. To do the things that are important
to you.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Thanks for taking some time to feed your mind with
us today.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
The Quikie is produced by me Taylor Strano, and Claire Murphy,
with audio production by Lou Hill.
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