How often have we heard the phrase “it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey”? While there is some truth to this statement, sometimes the opposite can be just as true: the destination is more important than the journey.
Recently, a Twitter thread went viral in which a user described missing their flight and deciding to drive from Regina to Edmonton in a Volkswagen Tiguan. The thread was full of anecdotes and observations about the drive and all the things that went wrong, but what stood out the most was the user’s desperation to get back home to their wife and kids.
As the user set out on the 8 hour long drive, there is no mention of the snowy Canadian landscape, but only the desire and impatience to get back home. And as the fate would have it, the journey is not without its fair share of obstacles.
The Twitter user @CherryVibesOnly weaved a compelling story around their drive. They started the thread with a clear conflict: they missed their flight and had to get back home as early as possible. This created tension and immediately drew the reader in.
The user shared the actual details like the make of the rental car (Volkswagen Tiguan), the time (8 hour long) and the distance (85 km left when the trouble began); all of this made the journey feel more real and relatable.
The user’s personality and perspective were a big part of what made the thread interesting. They were funny, observant, and relatable, which helped the reader to connect with them and care about what happened next.
The thread included several images and funny gifs which added variety and helped spice up the narrative. The user’s journey from Regina to Edmonton had a clear and compelling plot, with several twists and turns along the way. They had to navigate through a setback which kept the story moving forward.
As the car threatened to break down with the EPC signal flashing, the reader could feel the desperation of the user to get back home safe and sound. In situations like these, the destination becomes the most important thing. It’s not about the journey or the scenery, it’s about making it to home to your loved ones. The journey becomes a means to an end, a necessary obstacle to overcome in order to reach your goal.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that the journey is completely irrelevant. The Twitter user’s thread was full of amusing anecdotes about their drive, from an emergency signal flashing in the car to the absurdly long wait-time for road assistance. The journey added an element of adventure and excitement to the whole experience. But at the end of the day, the destination was the main priority.
Sometimes, when you have a clear goal in mind, when you are driven by a passion or a need, the destination becomes more important than the journey. It becomes the focal point of your energy and attention, the reason you keep going even when the journey gets tough.
In the end, the Twitter user made it to their home. They may have missed their flight and driven through a long distance with their heart in their mouth, but they also had a story to tell and a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes, the destination is more important than the journey, but that doesn’t mean the journey can’t be an adventure.
EXSM 3989 - Digital Storytelling Class Blog 