This article was written because I started thinking about an app idea and the problem it tried to solve. It led me to reflect more deeply on human nature than I initially expected. I’m interested in this because I’ve noticed many patterns when dealing with other people. Over the past few years, I’ve also observed significant changes in my personality, as well as in how I think and feel.

I’ve realized just how strong cultural and environmental forces are. I’ve noticed how differently I feel at the office compared to when I’m with a close group of friends. I’ve also seen how “rules” defined by others guide us through life.

Recently, I had a conversation at work about someone who had recently left the company. The person I spoke to revealed some surprising insights about office politics, backstabbing, and strategic games that contributed to the departure. To my surprise, I wasn’t aware of any of it. I hadn’t worked closely with that person, so I didn’t know the specifics. But it got me thinking—does it really all come down to politics?

I’ve always wanted to believe that the best, hardest-working, and most innovative person “wins.” But as we all know, reality is quite different, to say the least. It’s interesting how we use the phrase “winning in life,” as if life itself is a game. But what does “winning” even mean? Who defines it? Even if you carefully design your ideal life, you have to ask yourself—was it really your idea in the first place?

I just finished watching the first episode of Prime Target on Apple TV+. The main character is a brilliant postgraduate student in mathematics, working on a prime number problem. However, one short scene in the series baffled me. Even this young genius, a free thinker lost in the world of numbers, was irritated by children playing on the grass despite a sign clearly stating it was forbidden. It’s just a sign—who cares? Yet, what struck me was how deeply ingrained societal rules and norms are in all of us. It’s difficult to break free from this indoctrination.

We live in an advanced world full of incredible experiences, opportunities, and possibilities—yet we still struggle. I don’t have any solutions, and I’m not even sure a cure exists. But living each day as best as I can is a good first step. Thinking critically, staying engaged, finding meaning, not worrying about others’ opinions, working on projects I enjoy, and spending time with friends—these things mean everything to me. They are why I love my life.

Even in abundance, we struggle. Just because you live “comfortably” in a nice apartment or house, with a full belly and a loving family, doesn’t mean you don’t face challenges.

I think it’s important to bring these thoughts to the surface—to be aware, to notice, and to understand that, at the end of the day, this is all just a game. A game with loosely defined rules that you can shape and bend to your will, as long as you don’t harm anyone.