The Melancholy of Finality: Why is it that we always enjoy the process of doing/making/creating something — more so than the final result?

The problem with goals

This is the big problem with goals:

We focus too much on accomplishing/finishing the goal– but once we achieve the goal, we feel melancholy.

Why is this?

My theory:

We over-hype the “happiness” we will get from finishing/achieving/doing something.

In-fact, it is the struggle, difficulty, and the sense of overcoming that we enjoy the most!

What happens when you achieve all your life goals?

I was blessed (and also cursed) to have reached all of my life goals relatively early in life. Now at age 30; I have achieved all the goals I set for myself in my youth. “Financial independence”, the ability to travel the world, become ‘famous’, make photos I am proud of, marrying my other half (Cindy), obtaining all these toys and gadgets, etc.

When I achieved all of my goals in life– I felt melancholy. But I had no idea why.

Eternal bliss is nonsense

This is what I think the problem was:

Modern society (American-Korean-Confucian) taught me– “Once you become successful” (achieving your goals) you will have eternal bliss.

Folly!

Similar thing when I hit my life goal of deadlifting 405 pounds — once it happens, you are overjoyed for a day– but the next day, you wonder to yourself: