Destination addiction

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Destination addiction is a term (popularized by psychologist Robert Holden) describing the belief that happiness lies in the next place, next job, next achievement, or next moment — and not in the present.

It’s the mindset of:

• “I’ll be happy when I get there.”
• “Life will be better once I achieve X.”
• “After this, then I’ll finally relax.”

Core Characteristics

1. Future-fixation

You constantly look ahead to the next milestone, trip, promotion, partner, or goal.

2. Difficulty being present

Even good moments feel incomplete because your mind jumps to what’s next.

3. Chronic dissatisfaction

No achievement feels enough—you immediately replace it with the next target.

4. Restlessness / low-grade anxiety

Because fulfillment is always postponed, the present moment feels like an obstacle, not a place to live.

Causes

• Cultural pressure to “optimize” life
• Achievement-oriented identity
• Fear of stillness
• Comparing your life to others
• Using goals to avoid internal discomfort

Destination Addiction vs. Ambition

Healthy ambition: “I aim for goals, but I also appreciate where I am now.”

Destination addiction: “I can’t be happy until I get the next thing.”

It’s not about stopping goals—it’s about releasing the idea that happiness is conditional.

Connection to Zanshin & BG 2.47

This ties beautifully to what we discussed:

BG 2.47

• Act, but don’t cling to results.
  Destination addiction is the opposite: it ties happiness to results.

Zanshin

• Stay fully aware in the present moment before, during, and after action.
  Destination addiction pulls your awareness into an imagined future.

Breaking Destination Addiction

1. Practice “arrival awareness”

Ask: “What if I’m already where I need to be right now?”

2. Celebrate small completions

Zanshin-like: complete an action and stay present for a breath.

3. Reframe goals

Shift from “I must reach the goal to be happy” to:

“The goal gives direction; the present gives meaning.”

4. Daily grounding

Short pauses: breathing, noticing sensations, or a 10-second presence reset.

5. Value process over outcome

Exactly what BG 2.47 teaches.

In one sentence:

Destination addiction is the habit of postponing your happiness to the future instead of living in the present.

If you’d like, I can connect this with mindfulness, Stoicism, or give practical exercises to overcome it.