Every journey I take with my friends reminds me that happiness is found in experiences, not expectations. For so long, I thought life was about meeting certain milestones—finding “the one,” settling down, ticking off society’s checklists. But the more I travel with my friends, the more I realize that true joy isn’t something you chase—it’s something you create, moment by moment, together.

One of the most unforgettable trips we took was to Iceland. We didn’t go with grand plans or rigid expectations—just a shared excitement to explore. Together, we marveled at the otherworldly beauty of black sand beaches, soaked in steaming hot springs under a misty sky, and chased the elusive northern lights, huddled together in the freezing cold. We sang loudly in the car as we drove through endless stretches of open road, stopping wherever the landscape called to us.

Not everything went smoothly, of course. We got drenched in a sudden downpour, lost track of time and missed a reservation, and spent hours trying to fix a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. But instead of frustration, those moments brought us closer. We laughed, improvised, and learned to embrace the unexpected.

Happiness isn’t found in a perfect plan or an idealized version of how things should be. It’s found in the shared glances during a breathtaking sunset, the inside jokes born from mishaps, and the sense of wonder that comes from exploring the unknown with people who matter most. My friends and I don’t just travel—we live, we laugh, and we remind each other that the journey itself is the greatest gift.