Meeting soaring goals is 99% self achievement....if
badge flights do not interest you because of the hassle,
don't do them. Surely don't do them if you think parading
about with a stupid looking Gilligan's Island hat adorned
with badges means much to other pilots.

However if the effort to do the badge flight pushes
your limitations in a safe manner, then by all means
use them to open the door to the beauty of cross country.