Note: I wrote this post on Wednesday before we awoke to news of the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks. The depths of this tragedy are vast and the grief felt by the victims’ loved ones is something I can only imagine. I choose to share this post—now—not to minimize this enormous suffering and injustice but to share a tiny message of hope.

Whenever I feel the desire to write but am struggling with writer’s block, I often turn to podcasts for inspiration.

A couple days ago, I listened to the Simple Roots Radio podcast, hosted by a new-to-me wellness personality, Alexa Schirm. 

This episode featured author Alli Worthington (again, somebody I’m not familiar with) whose newest book, The Year of Living Happy, is on the shelves.

Happiness (and the pursuit of it) isn’t a new topic to any of us.

We read about it on blogs, see quotes about it on Pinterest and Instagram, and most of our bookshelves contain at least one title on the topic.

Something from this episode’s discussion on happiness jumped out to me—and that is the idea of having a “setpoint” for happiness.

Don’t Lose Sight of Your Setpoint: Foundations of Happiness

If you’re familiar with health and nutrition (or science, in general), the idea of a setpoint isn’t new to you: it’s essentially a target value or a control to which a person stabilizes.

I liked this idea, because it solidifies the concept that human beings are resilient and that joy and grief can exist simultaneously and without breaking us.

That, even if some unimaginable tragedy (death, material loss, illness…) occurs, if we allow ourselves to grieve, but continue to seek out little joys, we will eventually return to that natural setpoint of happiness.

And similarly, if we win the lottery or something extremely joyous occurs in our lives, if we don’t make a daily effort to practice gratitude, be mindful of our experiences, and focus on quality connection and contentment, then we will also return to a setpoint.

No single experience shapes our happiness.

But what if your happiness setpoint is on the low end of the spectrum?

Perhaps you’ve suffered tragedy at a young age or experienced a trauma that has haunted you for decades. Just like with weight or health, if you make measurable and sustainable changes daily, you can, with a lot of hard work and dedication, achieve a healthier setpoint.

I think this setpoint concept is important to remember following the recent midterm elections, too.

Without getting too political, I can say that some exhilarating and disappointing things happened across the country.

And, while I was personally disappointed in some local results, I am still hopeful.

I, just like you, have a setpoint of optimism and, while the exhaustion and frustration are palpable following loss, those feelings are not reason to stand back, throw in the towel, and become bitter.

When tiny, but measurable, steps are made—electing women and diverse candidates to office, passing amendments that enhance people’s quality of life, and curtailing a single party’s control of both houses of Congress—those seemingly-insignificant changes accumulate.

When one person’s mind is broadened and one person’s voice is heard, it ignites those people to share and listen to others. And it blooms into something bigger and greater.

It may not be in our lifetimes, but it’s something to hold tightly to.

Remember, measurable and sustainable—not all-or-nothing explosion of change.

No single event—or election—determines our futures!

If you want to be happier and more joyful in life, make measurable and sustainable changes daily.

If you want to make a difference in your communities—small or large—keep your efforts measurable and sustainable. And always hold on to the hope and ideals that ground you and give you optimism.

If you want to be happy, you've got to make measurable and sustainable changes. Share on X

So tell me…

• Do you think we have a happiness setpoint?
• What kinds of little steps do you take to achieve a happier, more joyful lifestyle?