Why Happiness is a Moving Target
Have you ever noticed how you chase after a goal—like landing the perfect job, getting fit, or buying that dream gadget—only to feel unfulfilled once you achieve it? This is no personal flaw. It’s a deep-rooted feature of our evolutionary wiring, a system that’s constantly nudging us to strive for more, stay alert, and never linger too long in complacency. Far from being an obstacle, it’s a relic of our ancestors’ survival strategies, shaped by millennia of needing to adapt and overcome.
Picture our distant forebears crossing hostile terrains. Life was harsh and uncertain: the next meal was never guaranteed, predators lurked nearby, and alliances were essential for staying safe. A single-minded pursuit of comfort and bliss wouldn’t have helped them last very long, because letting one’s guard down could be fatal. Instead, survival required vigilance and a certain restlessness. When one danger subsided, or one goal was met—say, finding a water source or building a shelter—another challenge inevitably loomed on the horizon. The inner voice that prevented our ancestors from getting too cozy or complacent was the same nudge that kept them innovating, migrating, and evolving.
Fast forward to modern life, where constant threats like saber-toothed tigers have disappeared, yet our brains retain that ancient push to remain on edge. We set goals, reach them, then quickly discount our achievements and move on to the next frontier. Psychologists sometimes call this the “hedonic treadmill”—we get a short burst of pleasure from new experiences or possessions, but soon adapt to our improved circumstances, leveling back to a baseline. The fleeting nature of that good feeling is not a cosmic joke; it’s your biology priming you to keep going, keep seeking, and avoid stagnation.
But here’s the twist: what served our ancestors’ survival in a world of perpetual threats can become a source of chronic dissatisfaction if not understood and channeled effectively. Our mind’s constant search for “the next big thing” can lead us to overlook genuine contentment in the moment. While the vigilance mechanism worked wonders in an unpredictable wilderness, applying it unthinkingly to the modern hustle-and-bustle can sabotage our peace of mind. A continuous cycle of craving can leave us with a nagging sense that something is missing—even when life is objectively pretty good.
So, does that mean we’re doomed to chase happiness forever, never savoring it for more than a flicker? Not necessarily. Recognizing the evolutionary underpinnings of our restlessness is the first step in reclaiming agency. Think of it like having an internal alarm system that used to ring for real threats but now sometimes goes off at the slightest whiff of boredom. We can learn to acknowledge its presence without letting it dictate our lives. Practices like mindfulness, journaling about gratitude, or consciously celebrating small wins allow us to hit the pause button on our evolutionary autopilot, relishing what we do have before rushing off to the next target.
None of this means we should abandon ambition or reject progress. Striving is an integral part of human nature—one that has driven innovation, exploration, and discovery throughout history. But there’s a difference between healthy aspirations and a relentless churn that erodes our well-being. The sweet spot lies in understanding that the urge to move the happiness goalpost is baked into our ancient survival code, and that a deliberate approach—one that balances goal-setting with moments of genuine appreciation—can keep us from running ourselves ragged.
At the end of the day, happiness may always be a moving target. But knowing why it moves, and how that motion connects to our deep evolutionary past, can make all the difference. Armed with this insight, we can use our restlessness more wisely—pursuing meaningful goals while also giving ourselves permission to pause, breathe, and acknowledge how far we’ve come. In essence, the very trait that once kept us safe in the wild can, when harnessed thoughtfully, help us flourish in our modern world.
