Achievement and Goals

Have you ever heard of the terms achievement disillusionment or goal despondency? If not, here are some definitions: “Achievement disillusionment refers to the feeling of disappointment or disillusionment that occurs when achieving a goal does not bring the expected satisfaction or happiness.” 

  This appears in relationships, careers, and personal accomplishments. You reached the goal, but joy and happiness don’t come. Despondency” is a state of being extremely low in spirits or feeling hopeless. Goal pursuit can occur when individuals set unrealistic goals, face repeated failures, or realize their goals do not align with their true values or desires.”

Despondency appears either during the process of pursuing the goal or after.

 Considering them both together makes me wonder if the joy and happiness that motivated us to pursue goals get tarnished along the way.

So you find yourself stuck. As for whether to move on or reclaim that joy, it depends on your emotional space. You may need time to heal from the trauma, explore ways to rediscover your passion, or reassess if your goals align with your values. Sometimes, it takes rediscovering why you wanted this path in the first place, but other times, it might be a sign to transition to a new chapter. If this resonates with you, what do you think? Does it feel like healing is possible, or are you leaning toward a new direction?