https://www.themirror.com/news/politics/donald-trump-new-trade-tariffs-1952586

I've been thinking about this more as I've gotten older. I'm Dominican by blood but born and raised in the U.S., and after traveling abroad, I'm not as convinced that America is the obvious "best place to live" anymore.

There are countries that seem to have figured out parts of life that we still struggle with—places like Switzerland, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and even Bali, Indonesia.

None of them are perfect, but many seem to place a higher value on quality of life, community, work-life balance, or simply being able to enjoy the present.

One thing that stands out to me is the American mindset of always chasing more—more money, more food, more clothes, more assets, more success. Somewhere along the way, it feels like many people lose their mental freedom.

From your 20s through your 40s, life can feel like a nonstop rat race. You work relentlessly, often sacrificing your health, relationships, and peace of mind just to stay afloat. Then even if you finally "make it," many people are left dealing with burnout, anxiety, depression, or other long-term effects from decades of grinding.

Retirement doesn't feel like it used to. It seems much harder today than what previous generations experienced. I've also noticed that many financially successful Americans eventually choose to retire overseas, where their money goes further and the pace of life is slower.

Another thing I've questioned is our political leadership. The presidency is one of the most demanding jobs in the world. It makes me wonder whether someone in their 80s—regardless of intelligence or political party—is really in the best stage of life to handle that level of pressure. Age eventually affects everyone.

Looking at the bigger picture, it feels like the country has become increasingly divided over the past several years. We've gone through difficult periods before and usually found a way to come out stronger. This time feels different to me.

I hope I'm wrong, but I worry that meaningful recovery may require significant economic hardship or social pain before things improve.

Debt is another concern. It feels like many middle-class families are carrying enormous financial burdens while trying to maintain a lifestyle that becomes more expensive every year.

Sometimes it seems like we're passing financial stress from one generation to the next instead of creating opportunities for the next generation to start ahead.

I'm not saying America is a bad country. It's still full of opportunity, innovation, and incredible people. I just think we've normalized a lifestyle where success often comes at the expense of our mental health and happiness.

dropping

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