Breaking Free From ‘Destination Addiction’: Finding Contentment in The Here & Now
Back in high school and college, I remember taking a handful of personality assessments—things like the DISC assessment and the CliftonStrengths test. The process was always the same: answer a bunch of questions, and voilà—you’re handed a breakdown of your personality traits and behavioral tendencies. These tests aim to help you understand what motivates you, how you collaborate with others, and where you thrive best. While they don’t define you completely, they can offer some pretty useful insights into your strengths and work style.
Time and time again, my results would confirm the same thing—I’m an "Achiever" type. Ambitious, goal-oriented, organized, disciplined, and hard-working. And while these traits have undoubtedly served me well, I’ve recently started to pause and realize something: I rarely take a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come because I’m so focused on what comes next.
The pattern is always the same—I set a goal, work hard to achieve it, and then, instead of celebrating, I immediately shift my focus to the next thing. It’s like I’m stuck in a loop of “Destination Addiction”—constantly chasing the next milestone rather than allowing myself to truly enjoy where I am right now. When caught in the cycle of Destination Addiction, it’s easy to believe that happiness lies in the next achievement—the next milestone, the next big win. But the truth is, real joy isn’t something we arrive at; it’s something we cultivate daily. If we’re always chasing the next thing, convinced that fulfillment is just beyond the horizon, we risk missing the happiness that’s already within reach, right here, right now.
A lot of this ties back to basic human evolution and the brain’s reward system—a complex network that reinforces behaviors essential for survival and well-being. This system plays a crucial role in motivation, learning, and pleasure, which is why achieving goals feels so deeply satisfying.
How the Brain’s Reward System Works:
Dopamine Release – When we make progress or reach a goal, the brain releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and motivation. This "feel-good" chemical reinforces goal-oriented behavior, making us want to chase that next win.
The Nucleus Accumbens – This part of the brain processes rewards and regulates motivation, influencing how much effort we’re willing to put into achieving something.
The Prefrontal Cortex – The brain’s executive planner—this region helps us set, strategize, and stay focused on our goals. It’s what keeps us disciplined and driven.
The Feedback Loop – Each success strengthens neural pathways, reinforcing the habit of setting and achieving goals. The more wins we rack up, the more our brain craves that next dopamine hit.
This system is powerful, but if we’re not mindful, it can keep us stuck in achievement mode, always chasing what’s next instead of fully appreciating the present.
So, how do we break free from this cycle and find contentment in the here and now—while still striving for our goals? It starts with practicing presence and shifting our mindset from one of constant pursuit to one of appreciation. Celebrate small wins instead of just the big milestones. Build in moments of reflection—whether it’s journaling, mindfulness, or simply pausing to acknowledge how far you’ve come. Redefine success not just as reaching the finish line but as finding joy in the journey. When we learn to balance ambition with gratitude, we create a life where fulfillment isn’t always just one goal away—it’s already here, woven into our everyday experiences.
And trust me, I know this is way easier said than done. But one thing that has made a huge difference for me is daily gratitude journaling. Taking just a few minutes each day to reflect on what I’m grateful for has helped me feel infinitely more present and content. Because the truth is, no matter where we are in life, there’s always something to be grateful for. Even on the hardest days—when nothing seems to be going right and your goals feel impossibly out of reach—gratitude can anchor you. The smallest things, like your morning coffee, the strength of your body carrying you through the day, a warm shower after walking home in the cold, or simply the roof over your head, are all gifts we can choose to appreciate. And the moment we do, we’re pulled right back into the here and now.
So, here’s your challenge for today: take just a few minutes to pause and practice gratitude. Write down three things you’re grateful for, and three things that made today great. Do this again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. Watch how this simple act of daily gratitude not only grounds you in the present but also deepens your appreciation for the beauty of your life. The more you practice, the more you’ll realize that joy isn’t something you have to chase—it’s already here, waiting to be noticed.
All my love,
Rach
