Have you ever heard of the simulation hypothesis? I ask you this because you mentioned the matrix.
About facing problems, I think we just need to understand life is not necessary an easy road, and we must simply do our best to overcome any obstacle we may encounter. If we want to achieve our goals we need to be prepared to work very hard until we get there.
And when we get there, the healthier thing we will to keep going for another more ambitious goal in order to keep improving. Life is about improving ourselves as much as we can.
I have heard of it, but I don't believe it. It is more of a thought exercise.
While striving to be better is important, I want people to be happy with where they are. Some people only think that by getting to the next place in life is the only way to be happy. No, you need to be happy where you are right now.
Otherwise you find your whole life was just "the next goal" and not savoring what you have accomplished already.