Is the journey really better than the destination?
We often accept motivational quotes from the internet as universal truths without questioning them. I’ve been guilty of that too. But occasionally, it’s worth pausing to think critically about these messages before embracing them.
Today on Easter break, while scrolling through social media, I came across a familiar motivational quote:
The journey is better than the destination.
I’d seen it before, but this time, I stopped to really think about what it means. Is there truth to it? Or is it just another feel-good cliché that falls apart under scrutiny?
At first glance, it seems flawed. After all, we usually pursue goals for the outcome. Students study to pass exams. People hit the gym to build strong, healthy bodies. Olympic athletes train to win gold. If the destination weren’t important, would anyone bother with the journey in the first place?
For a long time, I believed the quote was true–until this moment of reflection made me almost dismiss it entirely. But then I came full circle. I still believe it’s true, and if you don’t, maybe I can convince you.
Here’s the key insight: the destination isn’t always the real reward. Often, the real value lies in who you become along the way. The hard truth is, not everyone reaches their goal. But even if you fall short, the journey still gives you something meaningful. It shapes you.
Consider sports. Maybe you train for a 5K race to win, to beat a friend, or simply to avoid embarrassment. But along the way, you build fitness, gain mental clarity, and develop discipline. More importantly, you form habits that transform you into the kind of person who shows up, who trains, who runs.
The systems and routines you build in pursuit of a goal are what truly change you. They make you stronger, more resilient, and more willing to embrace discomfort. Whether or not you achieve the goal, the journey molds you into someone better prepared for life’s challenges.
In the end, maybe the journey really is better. Because it’s not just about where you’re going. It’s about who you become along the way.
I believe that now. Do you?