We are used to a certain standard of living. It's like being used to a certain ambient temperature in your house. We are used to 72 degrees and if the temperature changes much in either direction we feel uncomfortable. But, if the temperature drops slowly over time we don't notice the change and we adjust. We become satisfied with less, or more depending on the circumstances.
Most people struggle to keep the temperature from changing much throughout their lives.
They get into a rut, but it's ok, because it's their rut. In physics we refer to this as following the path of least resistance. Maybe if we all woke up one morning and had to start fresh we would find that we could accomplish a lot more than we thought we could. I am going to do what I can now, so I am somewhat prepared when and if that day comes. It isn't an easy concept for me to grasp.