Contemporary self-imposed pressure and the logic of personal performance
The article examines how modern society is dominated by a constant self-imposed pressure that drives people to optimise every aspect of their lives. This pressure, reinforced by social comparison and social media, is no longer perceived as an external force, but rather as an internal demand rooted in the idea of ‘always being able to do more’, as Byung-Chul Han argues. This mindset can lead to feelings of inadequacy, guilt and exhaustion. In response to this, the article proposes reclaiming spaces not geared towards performance and understanding a life of value beyond efficiency, in line with one’s own limits and needs.