The quote reflects a common human tendency to focus on the future as a means of escaping present suffering. It suggests that by looking forward, we can detach ourselves from the pain of the moment, envisioning a point in time where our current struggles will no longer exist. This indicates a psychological strategy to cope with difficulties by imagining a separation from our current reality.

Kundera's perspective invites readers to consider how our perceptions of time influence our experience of pain and joy. By believing in the possibility of future relief, we create a mental pathway that allows us to endure the present. This notion encapsulates the tension between our desire for stability and the inevitable uncertainty of life, reinforcing the idea that our relationship with time shapes our understanding of existence.