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A Feeling of Dissatisfaction

Some days — or even weeks, something just feels off.

It’s not that everything is falling apart — it’s more subtle than that. You’re not miserable, but you’re also not truly present. You’re going through the motions, doing what needs to be done, showing up where you need to be, but the spark that once fueled you is no longer there. And worst of all, you feel it. Deep down, you know something’s missing.

You catch yourself thinking: “I should be excited about this. Why aren’t I?”

This is what I call low-grade dissatisfaction.
It’s not loud or in-your-face. It doesn’t demand your attention.
But it quietly drains your energy, day by day, until you’re just going through the motions.
And it can easily go unnoticed, but it’s there, slowly turning everything gray.

The Why

Sometimes, it’s external.

You’re surrounded by negativity, by people who are weighed down by their own burdens, who throw their cynicism your way. You live in a world that often tries to tell you that life is about struggle, that optimism is naive, and that you should accept the grind. In this environment, it’s easy to get caught up in the mindset of “It’s always going to be this way” or “This is just how things are.”

Other times, it’s internal.

It’s the buildup of small disappointments, unmet expectations, promises you made to yourself that went unfulfilled. You swallow each little frustration and carry it with you until it feels like a heavy load. Over time, that weight starts to pull you down. And eventually, you get used to it. It becomes your new normal.

The danger here is that you start to mirror the energy around you. You begin to expect less, laugh less, and engage less. You get stuck in a cycle of inertia, and before you know it, you’re living on autopilot — stuck, unmotivated, and disengaged. The zest for life fades, and you’re simply existing, not fully living.

The Quiet Rebellion of Optimism

But here’s the twist: you don’t need to wait for everything to change around you to start feeling better.
Real transformation begins with choosing to respond differently, even when everything else seems to be saying “no.”

Choosing to be optimistic, even in the face of dissatisfaction, is an act of rebellion.
Not the fake, forced optimism that ignores reality — that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about a deliberate, quiet rebellion against the negativity, the cynicism, and the apathy that surround us. It’s the decision to not let the world’s energy dictate yours. It’s about choosing to see things differently — not because you’re ignoring the hard truths, but because you refuse to be swallowed by them.

And here’s the key: this kind of optimism doesn’t depend on changing everything around you.
It’s about taking control of your energy. It’s about looking at your day, your interactions, your feelings, and deciding: “I won’t let this consume me.”

The Rebellious Action

Now, you might be asking: “That sounds great, but how do I start?” The good news is that you don’t need a grand transformation to shift your energy. Sometimes, all it takes is small actions — little steps that can create a ripple of positive energy.

It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or the right motivation to take action. It’s about acting even when you don’t feel like it, and doing it anyway. Here are a few ways to get started:

• Move for 3 minutes. Get up and do something — even if it’s just walking around, stretching, or dancing. Just 3 minutes of movement can change the course of your day.

• Play a song that lights you up. Put on something that reminds you of who you are — a song that makes you feel alive.

• Talk to someone who lifts you. Call or message someone who brings positivity into your life.

• Write — even if it’s just one line. Writing can be an incredibly freeing way to release pent-up energy. Sometimes, just expressing yourself helps break the cycle.

• Pretend to be energized for 2 minutes. Sounds strange, but this actually works. Just act like you’re energized — stand taller, move faster, speak with energy. It may feel forced at first, but it can trick your mind into shifting gears.

These aren’t long-term solutions, but they are actions that start breaking the inertia. They remind you that you still have control over your energy — and that’s where the rebellion starts.

The Cake.

The Upgrade isn’t about following a strict formula.
We don’t give you one-size-fits-all answers here.

Instead, it’s more like:

“You want a cake?

Here is what you need to know to make it.

Try them.

See which way works best for you.

But just make the damn cake.”

The rebellion is about doing it anyway.
Even when you don’t feel 100%.
Even when your energy is low.
Even when it feels forced.

Take action. Move forward. Get out of your own head. Don’t wait for everything to feel perfect. You have the power to flip the script. You need to start.

Sparks for the week:

• Create a list of 5 “energy-reset” moves for when you’re feeling low. Keep it on your phone so you can access it whenever needed.

• Ask yourself daily: “What can I do right now to generate energy, even if it’s just a tiny spark?”

• Share this with someone who needs to hear it: "You don’t have to wait for the spark. Be the spark."

Final Thought

Make the cake.

Let’s upgrade — one move at a time.

Cheers,
Eduardo Krett
Editor-in-Chief, The Upgrade