Reflections on the Journey’s End

Ship: Johann Smidt
Date: 13.04.2025
Position: Saint-Malo
Nautical Position: 48°39.1’ N, 002°00.9’ W
Etmal: 142 nm
Total distance: 13,605 nm

Every journey – whether it’s across the ocean, over land, or through our own thoughts and feelings – always comes to an end. The last day, the final sunset, the last conversation – they don’t always come with a big announcement. Often, they arrive quietly, like a shadow in the night and we only realize: The end is near.

The end of a journey isn’t just about reaching a destination or going back to old routines. It’s a moment to stop and think and sometimes, even feel a bit sad. We start asking ourselves: 

Am I the same person who set out on this journey, or have I changed in some way – through all the people I’ve met, the things I’ve learned, and the detours I’ve taken?

Some philosophers might say that in every ending, there’s a chance to see ourselves more clearly. After all, a journey – because it has an end – reminds us that life itself is temporary. What is life if not a journey we can’t predict, with no way of knowing exactly how long it will last? Along the way, there are stops that we often only understand later.

But the end of a journey doesn’t always mean something is lost. It can also be a chance for change and growth. Going back home or finishing something doesn’t erase the journey—it completes it.

The most powerful thing about endings is that they help us notice the present more. When we know something is about to end – a conversation, a day, a journey – we start paying more attention. We listen more closely, see more clearly, and feel more deeply. The closer we get to the end, the more we appreciate each moment.

So, the end of a journey isn’t something empty, but rather a quiet peak. It’s the time when we pause, look back, and – if we’re ready – realize that every journey is not just about moving through the world, but about moving closer to ourselves.

And maybe that’s the real meaning of any journey.