Passion is one of those concepts that shows up in nearly every discussion about happiness. Conventional wisdom holds that people who have a clear passion or a defined purpose are generally happier than those who don’t. But passion isn’t always straightforward. The search for that “one big thing” can sometimes be frustrating, and the failure to find a satisfying answer can itself become a source of unhappiness. How to better structure that search for better results and to keep disillusionment from creeping in was largely the point of my “Design Your Tennis Life” series from 2024.
This year, I’ve been taking a slightly different angle with The Tennis Happiness Project. This ongoing series is inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s bestselling book, The Happiness Project, where she embarked on a year-long experiment organized by monthly themes designed to increase happiness in her life. Throughout 2025, I’m following her blueprint, using those exercises as a spark to consider happiness in a tennis context. The theme for September is pursuing a passion.
I usually assume that if you are reading this blog, you already have a passion for tennis. Otherwise… what are you even doing here? But there’s an important distinction between having a passion and actively pursuing it. Sometimes, habits or reflexive routines masquerade as enthusiasm. Playing on the same league team, always attending the same drill, or engaging in casual match play with the same people week after week might feel like passion, but it might also be autopilot. Taking a moment to reevaluate where true enthusiasm lies can reveal opportunities to pursue tennis in a way that genuinely enhances happiness. It might also sharpen the definition of passion itself, helping to distinguish it from actions performed out of rote obligation.
To better hone in on the passion and strip away distractions in your tennis life, you might try exploring new formats, playing styles, or testing your performance in a tournament instead of only playing league. It could mean devoting a little more time to training off the court, or finally signing up for lessons to address a glaring weakness in your arsenal. For some, passion may be found in giving back, such as mentoring younger players, organizing match play, or volunteering at a local tournament. Pursuing passion doesn’t always have to mean chasing trophies. Sometimes it’s about deepening your relationship with the sport in a way that feels fresh and invigorating.
Happiness and passion are closely intertwined, but only when passion is actively cultivated. This September, I challenge you to take a deliberate step toward pursuing what you love. Don’t just settle for saying “tennis is my passion.” Live it. Find the angle of the game that sparks joy for you right now, and chase it with purpose.
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Throughout 2025, I am dedicating the first full weekend of every month to exploring how ideas from Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project (<- Sponsored Link) can spark greater enjoyment and happiness in tennis. This is a non-tennis book that I have come to believe everyone should read. Seriously, you should get your hands on a copy of this book and consider trying some of the techniques described by the author.
