Another theme is change. As the character moves through the journey, they experience different situations and people, which forces them to change. In some stories, the character may start as naive but by the end of the journey become wiser. For instance, in a story where a young person travels alone for the first time, they might face challenges that make them grow up quickly. This kind of journey short story often uses the travel as a device to show the character's evolution.
The theme of connection is also prevalent. Journeys in short stories can bring the protagonist in touch with new cultures, people or ideas. Through these interactions, they form connections that can be emotional, intellectual or spiritual. It could be a story of a traveler who visits a foreign land and forms a deep bond with a local, which enriches both of their lives and shows how journeys can bridge gaps between different worlds.
One common theme is self - discovery. For example, in many journey short stories, the protagonist sets out on a physical journey which often leads to an inner exploration of their own identity and values.