I Never Enjoy The Journey And Then

I Regret It

Have you ever wanted to finish something so fast, reach the destination or goal as fast as possible, that you forgot to breathe, to actually feel the journey or the things you are doing to get there?

I have! Countless times. Even now, I guess, I do it.

I focus so much on the finishing line that I don’t care how I get there. And when or if I reach there, I feel meaningless.

Honestly, bored and kind of lonely, even. It took me a lot of time to realize why that is.

Finally, when I did, I understood that all the lessons, experiences and even genuine connections come from that journey, not the destination. The lessons from a setback, the experiences when the journey changes its path and gets tougher, and meeting new people, your tribe, if you are lucky enough, to help you in those turbulent times.

Destination, that’s like a trophy! All the attention, people and other things that come to you are not because of who you are. But because of where you have reached.

Since as a child, whether it’s a video game, completing the levels and finishing the game. Or during travels, focusing on how to get to my destination efficiently without hassle, focusing only on myself. Getting through places like there is a job to do, and when it’s done, I am out. I have followed it half my life.

And now I realize maybe that is not the right way to go. I even wrote an article about

Destination More Important Than the Journey

I still believe it, but I guess my focus has just shifted now that I have some achievements under my name. I guess I just don’t want another achievement. But want to feel the happiness when I get it, or to have someone to share it with.

Because, as a lot of icons have said, “It’s lonely up there.”

I know you will get a lot of articles regarding why journey is important. And they are right.

But I am writing this for those who know what it’s like to sacrifice and leave everything for a singular purpose and live like a ghost until you achieve it. And finally, when you do, you don’t feel the happiness of getting it. Or you have no one to witness or celebrate that achievement with.

Most importantly, a fear starts to creep into your heart.

During this chase, did you leave or sacrifice a part of yourself? The part for which you were doing all of this in the first place!

So take it from someone who learned it the hard way, don’t!

As my father used to say

Take a breath, drink some water, take a walk and try to feel even when you are in the middle of it.

[By the way, second part after the ‘and’ I added for this story, the first part was his]

Thank you for staying until the end!