Welcome to weiwat's "The Way to Wellness," your daily stop for turning timeless wisdom into modern-day life hacks. Here, we explore how a small tweak in perspective can lead to major life upgrades.
Today's quote is "Difficulties increase the nearer we get to the goal" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Breaking It Down:
Think of life like a video game. You’ve breezed through the beginner levels, collecting coins and defeating baby-level villains. But when you’re facing the final boss, suddenly every move is harder, the enemies are tougher, and even the music gets more intense. Goethe’s quote is about this exact feeling: the closer you are to achieving something worthwhile, the more challenges pop up to test your determination.
Why? Because the endgame is where the stakes are highest. By the time you’re near the finish line, you’ve likely already put in a ton of effort, and now the universe is asking, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
Practical Life Application:
Fitness Goals: When you’re trying to lose those last five pounds, suddenly every cookie in the world starts calling your name. That’s the "difficulties increasing" part—your goal is right there, but it feels harder because the margins are tighter.
Career Milestones: Ever notice how the biggest opportunities often come with the scariest challenges? You finally land that dream job interview, and your confidence starts crumbling. It’s because you’re so close to something meaningful that fear and self-doubt creep in.
Creative Projects: Writers and artists know this well. The closer they get to finishing their masterpiece, the more they start second-guessing everything. (Procrastination isn’t a sign of laziness; it’s the fear of not being perfect.)
Pop Culture Moment:
Think of Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. Carrying the One Ring to Mordor was no picnic, but when he was right there, inches from the fiery pit, the struggle reached a whole new level. That’s the essence of Goethe’s quote: the biggest tests come right before you achieve greatness. Frodo proved one thing—sticking it out is how you become a legend.
The Takeaway:
When life gets harder just as you’re about to succeed, don’t panic—it’s confirmation that you’re leveling up. The resistance means you’re close to something extraordinary. Instead of asking, “Why me?” ask, “How do I crush this?”
So the next time life throws curveballs just before you hit your target, channel your inner Frodo, Rocky, or Beyoncé. Remind yourself: tough moments aren’t signs to quit—they’re proof you’re almost there.