We often tell ourselves, “Once I reach this goal, I’ll be happy.”
Whether it’s landing a dream job, buying a house, or finishing school — we chase these moments, believing they hold the key to lasting fulfillment.

But here’s the catch: once we reach that milestone, the satisfaction is fleeting. Almost immediately, our minds shift to the next goal, the next achievement, the next “thing” that will finally make us feel complete. It’s like climbing a mountain only to find another peak waiting beyond the summit.

I’ve experienced this pattern myself. When I finished my Matura here in Austria, I expected a strong sense of accomplishment. Instead, I found myself thinking about what came next — the next course, the next challenge — before I had fully appreciated what I had achieved.

That moment taught me something important: happiness isn’t found at the finish line. It’s woven into the steps we take to get there.

Goals are important. They give us direction, purpose, and motivation. But if we don’t learn to enjoy the process — the learning, the growth, the small wins, even the setbacks — we risk living in a constant state of “not quite there yet.”

So instead of postponing happiness until some future achievement, I try to remind myself to appreciate the ride. To celebrate progress. To find meaning in the work, not just the result.

Because in the end, life isn’t a checklist of accomplishments. It’s a journey — and the path itself is where the real joy lives.

What if happiness isn’t something we arrive at, but something we practice — right here, right now?