For most people, happiness and progress aren’t really seen as a way of life. And yet, happiness is something we all strive for—one way or another.

I live in Athens, Greece. People here have been going through a rough patch for the past 10 or even 15 years. In these long-standing economic and political challenges, it often feels like happiness is hiding just out of reach.

Personally, I’ve been on a challenging path of my own over the past decade or so. Back in 2011, I felt completely stuck and couldn’t see a way out. Don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t sitting still. In fact, I was incredibly busy. Over the past 15 years, I’ve gradually turned my life around: I left behind a career in business and tech and began a new chapter as a windsurfing instructor and personal trainer. I earned a diploma in personal training, picked up new skills, met inspiring people, and explored new ideas. Between 2015 and 2016, I travelled to London many times, and I spent a considerable amount of time searching within myself.

In 2017, I sat the entrance exams for the Sports University in Athens. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science, and then continued with a Master’s degree. And soon, I’ll be starting a PhD.

That’s hardly anyone’s idea of “being stuck”. But even while I was doing all that, I did occasionally find myself stuck—in “unhappy mode”.

Back when I was in my own “unhappy place,” even on better days, it felt like I kept running into people who focused on what wasn’t going well. Friends, family, clients—when I’d ask, “How are you doing today?”, most of the time they’d respond with what was wrong: something they couldn’t do, something not working at their job, or some new drama in their lives. If they were having a good day, they’d usually mention a specific achievement.

Of course, we’re all human. We worry. We fear. We doubt ourselves. But when that mindset becomes a habit, it crushes our happiness.

Now that I’m no longer stuck in that mindset, it’s like I rarely come across that same negativity. The world around me hasn’t changed dramatically—but my lens has. I’m still finding my way toward happiness, but I’ve realised five things along the journey that have helped me. I hope they’ll help you too.

1. Align your goals with what you truly value

A powerful way to feel happier is to reflect daily on your goals—not just what you want to achieve, but why you want it.

If you want to get married and have children because it will make your parents happy, that may quietly be making you unhappy every single day. Why? Because if it’s not your desire, you’ll feel inner conflict. And that inner conflict makes it hard to be happy.

The same goes for other goals. If you want to lose weight because your significant other comments on your “love handles,” it’s unlikely you’ll succeed—and even if you do, it won’t feel good. Don’t chase goals based on someone else’s values. If your actions aren’t aligned with your wants, you’ll always feel off. Either change your goals or get honest about why you’re pursuing them. Your goals must mean something to you.

2. Find your place of flow

Psychology defines “flow” as the mental state where you’re fully immersed, focused, and enjoying the activity at hand. It’s that feeling of being completely in the zone.

Flow looks different for everyone. For me, it has taken many forms over the years—windsurfing, competing, working in tech start-ups, or getting lost in a great book. Later, it became teaching windsurfing, delivering PT sessions, learning new things, listening to music, going for walks, or spending 30 minutes with my colouring book. These days, I find flow in coaching, doing research, spending time in nature, working out, connecting with people I care about, and exploring whatever sparks my curiosity.

I create opportunities for flow every day.

If something isn’t flowing on a given day, I’ll skip it if I can and do something else instead. It’s all about tuning in—being aware when your body or mind is trying to tell you something. Don’t be rigid. If something doesn’t flow anymore, change it. Even if it means letting go of something (or someone) you care about. When you’re in flow, time stops. You feel peaceful and present. Seek that.

3. Live for today

The past is gone. The future is unknown. The present is all we ever truly have.

When you live in the moment, you invite flow. But when your mind stays stuck in the past or spins toward the future, you lose it.

I’ve lived with regret over past mistakes, and I’ve lived with fear about the future. Neither helped me. Regret made me feel unworthy and helpless; fear made me anxious and drained. Meanwhile, life was unfolding in front of me—and I wasn’t present to experience it.

Most of the things we fear never even happen. Whatever your mind is imagining, life will likely do something different anyway. Don’t follow every anxious thought down a rabbit hole. Show up for today.

4. Live life as an adventure

Because that’s what life really is—an adventure. There are no mistakes, only lessons and experiences.

We all make bad choices. That’s how we learn. If you live in denial about your “mistakes,” or avoid making decisions for fear of getting it wrong, you block your own growth.

Ten years ago, I often found myself stuck in dilemmas:
“Should I go this way or that?”
“Which choice is better?”
Back then, I overanalysed everything. These days, I just know within myself. The answers come more intuitively, because I trust my direction.

I used to treat every decision like it was monumental. What I eventually realised is this: there is no “right” path. Life isn’t a strategy game. There’s no single “correct” answer. The best thing we can do is move forward with curiosity and trust. You can’t get life wrong.

5. Detach from results

I was raised with high expectations. I was taught to aim high and work hard until I achieved results.

And I did. I got into Business university, graduated top of my Master’s programme, won windsurfing championships, earned a good salary, became a windsurfing coach, a personal trainer, and built a new client base. Then I moved on to Sports Uni, pursued my Master’s, and so on. I was constantly chasing outcomes.

It took me a while to realise how I was missing the experience. I was doing so much, I couldn’t see the growth, the fun, the self-discovery—because I was too focused on the next achievement. My life was an endless uphill climb, without pause to rest or enjoy where I was.

Now, I understand: it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters. Happiness isn’t about what you achieve. It’s about how you feel while you’re creating. Detach from the outcome. Let life unfold.

Let things be as they are right now. Don’t obsess over how they ‘should’ be. Don’t postpone your happiness for some future version of success—whether it’s when you have more money, the perfect partner, a better body, more stability, the dream job, or a sense of achievement. Happiness isn’t a destination; it’s something you can experience right now, wherever you are on your journey. Stop trying to control what’s next. Just flow, trust the process, and embrace the present.

X