Not every desire deserves a chase.
Not everything we want is worth going after. Think about that for a moment. We live in a world where the message is often to "go for it" or "follow your dreams," no matter what. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is take a step back and ask ourselves: Is this really worth my time and energy?
You might desire many things. Maybe it's a new job, a relationship, or a shiny new gadget. Desires can pop up from anywhere—social media, advertisements, or even just seeing someone else enjoy something you don't have. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of wanting something new or different. But the real question is: does wanting it mean it’s worth pursuing?
Imagine you're standing at the edge of a forest. There’s a golden light deep within the trees, and it looks so beautiful and inviting. You feel a strong pull to chase it, to run toward that glow. But what if the forest is full of thick branches, thorny bushes, and dangerous cliffs? What if, after hours of struggling and fighting your way through, you get to the center only to realize that the light was nothing more than a reflection, a mirage? You’ve spent all that energy and faced all that hardship, only to discover it wasn’t what you thought it was.
That's what chasing every desire feels like. We often think the journey will be worth it because the thing we want looks so appealing from where we stand. But desires can be tricky. Sometimes they promise more than they can give. We can pour days, months, or even years into something that, in the end, doesn’t fulfill us.
Take relationships as an example. You might meet someone who seems like everything you’ve ever wanted. They're charming, good-looking, and exciting. But as you get to know them, you start to see red flags. Maybe they don’t respect your boundaries, or perhaps they don’t share your values. But because you’ve invested time and emotion, you convince yourself that they’re worth the chase. The truth is, not every person you desire is someone you should pursue. Sometimes, the energy you put into chasing them could be better spent on someone who truly values you or, better yet, on your own growth.
Now, think about material desires. Maybe there’s a new phone that everyone’s talking about. You start imagining how much better your life would be with that shiny new gadget in your hands. You’d feel more connected, more up-to-date, more... something. But after buying it, you realize that the joy it brings is short-lived. It doesn’t change your life in any significant way. The desire to own the latest tech was just a fleeting feeling, and once you caught it, you were left wanting something else. It’s a never-ending cycle unless you stop and recognize that not every desire deserves your attention.
There's also the desire for success. Many people chase careers that promise wealth, status, or fame. They work tirelessly, sacrificing their health, relationships, and peace of mind for that dream job or promotion. But when they get there, the success doesn’t feel as sweet as they imagined. In fact, they might feel emptier than before. This is the harsh reality of pursuing desires that are driven by external validation rather than internal fulfillment. Just because the world says something is valuable doesn’t mean it’s valuable to you.
So how do we decide which desires are worth pursuing? It starts with understanding what truly matters to you. What are your values? What brings you lasting joy, not just fleeting pleasure? Desires rooted in these deeper values are often the ones worth chasing. They don’t lead to burnout or regret because they align with who you are at your core.
Returning to the analogy of the forest: sometimes the light deep within the trees isn’t worth chasing. But other times, there’s a different kind of light—a small, steady glow that represents something meaningful to you. It’s not as flashy or exciting, but it’s real. And even though the journey toward it might be tough, it’s worth it because it aligns with your true self. The challenge, then, is learning to differentiate between the mirages and the real lights.
When you stop and assess your desires, you’ll likely find that many of them are distractions. They take your focus away from what really matters. The world is full of shiny things that catch our eye, but not all of them are meant for us. By being selective about what you chase, you conserve your energy for the things that will genuinely enrich your life.
So next time you feel the pull of a desire, ask yourself: Does this align with my values? Will it bring me lasting fulfillment, or is it just another shiny object that will lose its appeal once I catch it? These questions help you separate the worthwhile pursuits from the ones that aren’t deserving of your time.
In summary, not everything you want is worth the chase. Just because something catches your eye doesn’t mean it’s worth your energy. Some desires are distractions, pulling you away from what truly matters. Be intentional about what you pursue, and your life will feel more aligned and meaningful.
Now ask yourself: What desires in your life deserve a chase, and which ones are distractions? How will you choose your next pursuit?
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
