If happiness had a location, I used to think it was somewhere in the future—just past the next goal, just beyond the next achievement.
But if that were true, why did I feel stuck in the same cycle every year?
I’ve spent a lot of time tracking habits, setting goals, and measuring progress—like a strict teacher grading an uninspiring term paper. Theoretically, all these little checkmarks should lead to success.
But when I reflect on where I am now, something stands out: the bad days. Not just the unproductive ones, but the ones where frustration takes over—when things don’t go as planned, when progress stalls, when setbacks feel personal.
I used to think happiness was something to earn, a reward waiting at the end of a perfect routine. But maybe it has less to do with reaching a destination and more to do with what happens when things go wrong.
Now Is More Important Than Later
I’ve always been someone who plans for the future—sometimes obsessively. Future Me is always going to be happier, healthier, more successful. Present Me? Not so much.
The problem with always thinking about later is that it turns now into an afterthought.
I caught myself sacrificing the small, good moments of daily life because I was too focused on planning the next big thing. And if that big thing didn’t materialize? Instant frustration.
So, I made a small change. When bad news hit, instead of spiraling, I went for a walk. I got coffee. I reminded myself that right now—this exact moment—wasn’t ruined just because my inbox was empty.
Doing > Planning
I love planning.
If planning were an Olympic sport, I’d have a shelf many medals.
But there’s one small problem: excessive planning often leads to excessive procrastination.
Case in point: My writing. For years, I obsessed over quality. Every blog post needed to be perfect. Which, of course, meant many never got written at all.
Then I flipped the approach—quantity over quality.
I published more posts, worried less about perfection, and ironically, my writing improved. More importantly, I overcame that dreaded writer’s block. Instead of thinking about the best way to write, I just… wrote.
Progress > Outcome
As someone who thrives on measurable results, being in the middle of something—without a clear finish line—used to make me uneasy.
But my perspective shifted when I started paying closer attention in other parts of my life, teaching. More specificifically, my students.
When I evaluate their work, I don’t judge them solely on the final outcome. I see their progress—their struggles, small wins, and improvements.
And yet, I rarely apply that same grace to myself.
This year, I tried.
I focused less on the final outcome and more on the effort. And surprisingly, it made the journey far less frustrating.
Final Thought
A friend once told me, happiness is a choice. I used to roll my eyes at that. (I still kind of do.) But I’ve come to realize that while I can’t control everything, I can control how I respond.
So, my resolution moving forward? More walks, more coffee, and fewer imaginary gold medals for planning.
What about you? How has your perspective changed with time?
Life Outside of Design Studio 