How Capitalism is Making Us Miserable: The Hidden Costs of Success in Modern Society
Introduction
Success. It’s the North Star we’re all supposed to follow, but have we ever stopped to ask whose definition of success we’re chasing? In modern society, success is often measured by material wealth, job titles, and status symbols. Behind this definition is a capitalist system that dictates not only what we should want but also the ways we can achieve it. Yet, many of us are left feeling trapped, burned out, and unfulfilled, struggling to understand why “making it” doesn’t bring happiness.
Beneath the shiny exterior of achievement lies a grim reality: capitalism is making us miserable. The very structures designed to fuel economic growth are driving many to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. As society chases after ever-higher peaks of "success," we need to ask whether this version of success is worth the hidden costs.
1: The Emotional and Mental Toll of Chasing Success in a Capitalist System
The pursuit of success comes with a significant emotional price tag, often hidden behind motivational slogans about "grit" and "hustle." Under a capitalist system, where productivity is king, people are conditioned to link their worth directly to their economic output. Success is measured in dollars earned, hours worked, and sacrifices made at the altar of ambition.
Yet, studies consistently show that burnout and mental health crises are at an all-time high. A growing number of people feel trapped in careers they never wanted, but they can't afford to leave. University costs are skyrocketing, leaving many burdened by debt and stuck in soul-draining jobs. This pursuit of success—measured solely in financial terms—often forces people to choose between their passion and their paycheck, a dilemma that undermines their mental well-being.
Take, for example, the enormous cost of higher education in many capitalist systems. Instead of pursuing a career that brings fulfillment, many graduates end up chasing salaries that can barely cover their student loans. In this scenario, education becomes not a pathway to growth, but a trap—a capitalist cycle where the goalposts for success are forever moving out of reach.
The mental toll is profound. Anxiety, depression, and a sense of emptiness are no longer exceptions; they are the standard consequences of a system that values profit over people.
2: The Commodification of Well-Being
In response to this crisis of meaning, capitalism has taken well-being and turned it into another marketplace. Wellness is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, with everything from yoga retreats to mindfulness apps promising to help people cope with the stresses that capitalism itself has created.
This commodification of well-being is nothing more than a band-aid on a bullet wound. Companies are quick to adopt greenwashing and “conscious consumerism” strategies to exploit people’s desire for a more meaningful, healthier life. Social enterprises market themselves as ethical alternatives, but how much of that is real change versus clever marketing? Many organizations selling well-being are still beholden to capitalist structures that prioritize profits over genuine transformation.
Take Tesla, for example. Elon Musk’s venture claims to represent the future of clean energy, but in reality, it’s another cog in the capitalist machine, enriching its shareholders while using green branding as a marketing ploy. Conscious consumerism, though well-intentioned, often does little more than give us a way to feel better about our consumption habits without challenging the system itself.
As a result, people find themselves trapped in yet another loop—buying products and services that promise to fix the very problems capitalism created in the first place. The illusion of choice keeps us tethered to a system that profits from our dissatisfaction.
3: How Capitalism Redefines Freedom and Individuality
Freedom and individuality are two pillars of the capitalist myth, but in reality, capitalism limits both. The constant chase for success narrows our choices and forces us to conform to societal norms that serve the system rather than ourselves.
Think about the commoditization of natural human activities like running, hiking, and even eating. Instead of freely enjoying these activities, we now buy into carefully curated experiences—designer fitness routines, expensive gear, and diet plans sold as the key to happiness. The capitalist system has taken the simplest pleasures and turned them into transactions. In doing so, it erodes our ability to make free, unstructured choices, encouraging conformity to a commercialized version of individuality.
Social media, too, plays a role in this redefinition. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn encourage us to market ourselves as brands, reducing individuality to a highlight reel of achievements that conform to capitalist values. Everyone’s feed starts to look the same—success stories of financial gain, physical transformation, and curated happiness. The pressure to succeed, now amplified by social media, fuels anxiety and burnout, further distancing us from a life that’s truly free and authentic.
Even within the workplace, the promise of upward mobility—a core tenet of capitalism—is increasingly out of reach for many. The gig economy has left millions of workers without stable employment, forcing them into precarious jobs that offer little security or personal fulfillment. The freedom to "be your own boss" has become a burden rather than a benefit for those stuck in a system that demands constant productivity without offering fair compensation.
Conclusion: Redefining Success for a Healthier Future
It’s time to redefine what success means. Instead of chasing after an ideal that leads to burnout and dissatisfaction, we need to build a system that values people over profits. This means shifting away from a narrow, capitalist definition of success and creating a culture where well-being, personal fulfillment, and meaningful contributions to society are the true measures of achievement.
The cracks in the capitalist system are showing, and many are already questioning the wisdom of its relentless pursuit of economic growth. To truly suck the marrow out of life, we need to stop measuring ourselves by the yardstick of productivity and start focusing on what really matters—our mental health, our relationships, and our ability to live a life that feels worth living.
By redefining success, we not only improve our individual lives but also contribute to a society that values happiness and well-being over the accumulation of wealth. It’s not an easy path, but it’s a necessary one if we want to break free from the misery that capitalism often imposes on us.
Written by Evan Sutter.