Are you happy?
That’s a loaded question, right? Most of us have played the “I’ll be happy when…” game: I’ll be happy when I get that promotion… when my bank account has a few extra zeroes… when my jeans fit just right… You know the drill.
But here’s the kicker: every time we reach the goal, the goalpost moves. And instead of enjoying where we’re at, we’re already chasing the next thing. No wonder happiness feels so slippery.
We were raised to believe that happiness comes after we check all the boxes: good job, nice house, family, financial security, six-pack abs (okay, maybe that one’s optional). But here’s the truth: happiness doesn’t magically show up at the finish line.
It’s not something you can buy, earn, or wait for. It’s not a trophy. It’s not even a feeling that sticks around 24/7. Feelings change—sometimes you’re joyful, sometimes you’re cranky, sometimes you just need tacos. None of that means you aren’t happy overall.
What happiness is… is a practice. A choice. Something we come back to, over and over again, especially when life gets messy.
I recently came across the idea of “failing up”. It basically means using failure as a trampoline instead of a quicksand pit.
You don’t have to cheer when you fail—that would be weird—but you can choose to see failure as a stepping stone instead of a dead end.
Bombed a presentation at work? Instead of sulking, you dig in, practice more, and come back sharper next time. Missed a lift in the gym? Great—now you know what to train and you’ll be stronger for it. Life is just one long cycle of trial, error, growth, repeat.
And let’s be honest: the smooth, unicorn-filled, problem-free life we think we want would actually be… boring. Growth only happens in the friction.
The science nerds will tell you that people with a positive outlook don’t just feel better—they actually perform better. Happier people are more productive, more resilient, and even healthier. Which means choosing happiness isn’t just some woo-woo mindset thing—it’s practical.
Here’s the challenge: the next time adversity smacks you in the face (and it will), pause and ask:
Because happiness doesn’t come from everything going right. It comes from building resilience when things go wrong.
At Deep Roots Fitness, we see this play out every day. You don’t get stronger by skipping challenges; you get stronger by facing them, learning, and adapting. The same goes for life.
So whether you’re chasing a PR, building better habits, or just trying to show up consistently, remember: the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress—and the ability to laugh, learn, and keep moving forward when things don’t go your way.
Choose happy. Fail up. And when in doubt—squat it out. 😉
.png)