Recently, something really exciting happened—I was selected for an amazing mentorship program for college-going women in tech. However, instead of feeling the joy I anticipated, I felt… off. It didn’t seem as fulfilling as it should have.

I started journaling to understand why.

Career has always been my main focus, so why wasn’t I genuinely happy about this accomplishment?

Then it dawned on me—my life right now revolves around the chase. I enter contests, tackle challenging CP and DSA problems, and take on tough tasks every day. But somewhere along the way, it shifted from being about personal growth to proving something to myself. The challenge became my source of validation. So when I finally achieve something, it feels like the end of the chase—almost like an empty pause rather than a true victory.

And that’s obviously not sustainable!

I need to change my mindset—to find joy in the journey, not just the outcome. It’s a tough shift, but I’m committed to it. What if the real victory lies in the process, not just the result? Comment down your thoughts!