The Broken Tale of "Happily Ever After"

There’s a fairy tale most of us have bought into: go to college, get the job, meet "The One", get married, buy the dream house, have kids - and happiness will follow.

The process seems flawless. Build the foundation, then the family, and all will work out. But does it?

For many, the dream shatters. Corporate life, while rewarding at times, is often a grind.

In Canada, 69% of employees report experiencing ongoing symptoms that can lead to burnout, and 42% say they already feel burnt out. Globally, 77% of workers say they’ve experienced burnout at their current job, despite most claiming they have “good” work-life balance.

Weekends rarely restore us. They remind us how depleted we are before we’re thrust back into the rat race.

Meeting “the one” feels magical - until reality sets in. No partner can “complete” us. People bring their unresolved baggage into relationships, and as comfort grows, so do the cracks.

Marriage, too, is not immune. While Canada’s divorce rate is at its lowest in 50 years, satisfaction is far from guaranteed. Research shows two-thirds of couples experience a decline in relationship satisfaction within three years of having a child.

Parenthood brings joy, yes - but also exhaustion, jealousy, and intimacy strain. Many couples end up feeling more like roommates than spouses.

Life is hard. Not just hard - exhausting.

We’ve trained ourselves to believe one career path, one passion, is all we get. Over time, hobbies and creative outlets suffocate under the weight of work, family and commitments.

And when we do give to ourselves, it’s often to numb - with wine, cannabis, people, binge-worthy shows, endless scrolling. The truth is, we’re not refuelling; we’re escaping.

The promise of “happily ever after” leaves us empty, chasing external validation - wealth, power, titles, houses, cars - that never nourish us.

Our bodies weren’t designed for the hamster wheel. Heavy workloads and poor work-life balance are the leading causes of stress in Canada. Short breaks don’t undo decades of exhaustion.

That’s why so many finish vacations feeling worse, secretly confessing: “I need a vacation from my vacation.”

Younger generations are rewriting the script. We've labeled them “lazy,” but in truth, they’re perceptive.

They see the emptiness of working life away for status and possessions. Instead, they’re prioritizing balance, meaning, and well-being. Deloitte’s 2025 survey found that Gen Z and Millennials define success as a trifecta of money, meaning, and well-being - not just wealth or power.

They’re also drinking less. A Gallup survey shows alcohol use among adults under 35 dropped from 72% in the early 2000s to 62% today. Gen Z, in particular, is embracing sobriety, choosing health and mindfulness over numbing. Bars are closing, liquor sales are declining, and a cultural shift toward wellness is underway.

And beyond sobriety, they’re experimenting with new ways of living and working - like the rise of four-day workweeks, which early studies show improve productivity, reduce stress, and increase overall happiness. They’re not lazy; they’re building a new dream.

If you bought into the old dream, ask yourself: did it turn out the way you thought?

Is the pace sustainable? Is the rest you take ever enough?

There is a better way - a healthier, more sustainable way. But it requires sacrifice.

The old dream is broken. The new one is yours to write. But what will you give up to make space for it?