I kind of think - hope - that maybe the end of the show could give that hope and growth to the characters

I think we all want a satisfying send off, something that ties things up and shows us that there's been emotional growth, that this long journey has been worth it for the characters and worth it as an audience. If things end with Sam and Dean in the same head spaces and holding pattern that they've been in for the last decade, I will stab myself with a spork.