Pleasure vs Happiness: Why We’re Chasing the Wrong Thing | YKMS

Episode Overview:In this deeply honest conversation, Aileen and Julie explore a powerful realisation about the difference between pleasureand happiness. Triggered by a reel on dopamine vs serotonin, the chat unpacks how chasing short-term highs can leave us feeling emptier than ever—especially during perimenopause and other identity-shifting life stages. This episode offers a compassionate lens on our coping mechanisms and a gentle invitation to start seeking what actually sustains us.Key Discussion Points:▪️ Dopamine vs Serotonin — What they are, how they affect us, and why this distinction matters.▪️ The Trap of Quick Fixes — From food and alcohol to likes on social media, how we chase pleasure thinking it's happiness.▪️ Hormonal Shifts & Midlife — Why perimenopause can bring our coping patterns into sharper focus.▪️ Parenting in a Dopamine World — Reflections on teens, screen addiction, and fast gratification.▪️ Real-Life Reflections — Personal stories of travel anxiety, shifting desires, and finding joy in simplicity.▪️ Happiness as a Slow Burn — Why authentic happiness is quieter, and how to recognise it in everyday moments.▪️ Practical Tools — Mindfulness, gratitude, purpose, and small serotonin-boosting rituals that reconnect us to ourselves.Listener Takeaways:🔹 You’re not failing if you don’t feel happy all the time.🔹 Start asking: Is this soothing me… or sustaining me?🔹 Swap one dopamine-driven habit this week for something slower and deeper—like a walk, a cuddle, or a moment of stillness.🔹 Awareness is the first step toward change—and even just noticing your patterns is a powerful act of self-care.💌 Join the Conversation:Have you had your own ‘aha’ moment around this? Are you stuck in the dopamine loop? We’d love to hear from you. DM us or leave a voicemail—we're here to listen.🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to like, subscribe and share with a friend who might need this gentle nudge toward something more lasting.BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first monthIf you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.Links:Download Enough - Our Self Worth Reset.Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod  Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePodEmail us at  [email protected] to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie FahySee https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy informationDisclaimer: Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.