Addicted To Dopamine

 "I am addicted to dopamine." I spew the  words out of my mouth, say each one of them proudly, I wear it like a badge shining on my chest. They laugh. They laugh and mock and say, "Isn't that everybody's problem in GenZ?" Hmm. A problem. And I get why it's a problem. We've seen the screens. We've felt the screens. We've felt the addiction. Swipe after swipe. Scroll after scroll. Easy to reach. All in my pocket. All in my phone. But then, if it's so easy, what is there to feel? What addiction is there to feel? What joy is there to feel? And why can't I stop? It's dopamine. That's the answer. Instant gratification. Easy joy. Swipe after swipe. Scroll after scroll. Keep scrolling, until you can't feel anymore. You can't comprehend anymore. You're not getting dopamine, you're not feeling gratification, you're not feeling joy, you're just escaping your life at this point. Scary, isn't it?

Turns out, the problem wasn't just dopamine.

It was us. It was us not having the courage to chase our life, to get up and chase our dreams, to live life instead of watching videos of another's.

And honestly, it's not our fault.

We grew up with comparisons. We grew up with illusions of success being handed over to the worthy. Illusions of doors opening by themselves.

The door doesn't open if don't push it open, sweetheart.

That's why I choose real dopamine. Sweaty runs. Sunlight falling on my skin. Completed work. Productive evenings. Early mornings. Authentic connections. A healthy meal. Meaningful goals.

I am addicted to dopamine. The kind I say proudly. The kind I wear like a badge shining on my chest.