Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free
MeditationFind Happiness Today

Find Happiness Today

You deserve to feel happiness in the present moment. Today, join Joy Ofodu in learning about the “arrival fallacy” and how to root your joy in the present moment rather than leaving it up to the future.

Try 14 days free
Share:

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Better mental health starts with Headspace

Joy here. If you've ever thought to yourself, I'll be happy when I accomplish blank, you are not alone. It's human to think our happiness is rooted in future goals, that happiness is something we arrive to at some point. I remember when I used to see my career as an A to B line. I thought I'd be so happy when I finally got a certain dream role, sitting in a specific office. Once I made it there, I experienced that static happy feeling, but it didn't last. Arriving at my dream wasn't a single action. Researchers call this experience the arrival fallacy. It's the belief that once we get to a certain point, we'll reach lasting happiness, because the truth is happiness is much more than reaching a specific destination. It's made up of so many smaller things that you have with you right now, the small moments in your day that light you up or bring you gratitude or connection. In today's exercise, we're going to be focusing on the happiness we can cultivate in the present moment instead of in the future. Let's begin. Settle into a comfortable position and gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a deep breath in. And out. Another breath, longer this time. In. And out. Stretch your spine so it's nice and tall, so you're elongated through your crown. If your feet are on the floor, make them flat so they make full contact with the earth. One more deep breath here. In and out. Take a moment to think about a goal you have for yourself. Where are you in your journey to achieve it? Maybe you're getting the courage to start or you're midway through. Now, ask yourself, how is this goal driving your happiness? Are you finding joy in the process of stretching yourself to achieve it and all those little moments along the way? Or are you saving your joy for when you finish the goal? Are you leading with I'll be happy when? If your happiness is rooted in crossing that finish line, remember to show yourself compassion. It's okay if reaching that achievement will make you happy, but we want to make sure you can find happiness in the here and now too. Take a moment to remind yourself of what's bringing you joy on the journey. What makes you happy right now? What lights you up? If this felt tough to do, don't worry. It takes practice to break out of the arrival fallacy, but you deserve to find happiness, both in reaching your goals and each day along the way. Repeat today's affirmation after me either out loud or in your head. I deserve to enjoy where I am at today. I deserve to enjoy where I am at today. If they're closed, open your eyes. You've already arrived and happiness is yours to create today. You got this....

Details

TypeMeditation
Duration6 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Stress, sleep, and all the challenging emotions — care for your mind with the everyday mental health app that's shown to make a difference.

Try 14 days free
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice