Luckily for them, having a purpose in life is associated with all kinds of benefits. Research suggests that purpose is tied to having better health, longevity, and even economic success. It feels good to have a sense of purpose, knowing that you are using your skills to help others in a way that matters to you.
But how do you go about finding your purpose if it’s not obvious to you? Is it something you develop naturally over the course of a lifetime? Or are there steps you can take to encourage more purpose in your life?
Likely both, says Kendall Bronk, a researcher who directs the Adolescent Moral Development Lab at Claremont Graduate University. People can find a sense of purpose organically—or through deliberate exercises and self-reflection. Sometimes, just having someone talk to you about what matters to you makes you think more intentionally about your life and your purpose, says Bronk.
In her work with adolescents, she’s found that some teens find purpose after experiencing hardship. Maybe a kid who has experienced racism decides to become a civil rights advocate. Or one who’s suffered severe illness decides to study medicine. Of course, experiences like poverty and illness are extremely hard to overcome without help from others. But Bronk’s research suggests that having a supportive social network—caring family members, like-minded friends, or mentors, for example—helps youth to reframe hardship as a challenge they can play a role in changing for the better. That might be true of adults, too.
While hardship can lead to purpose, most people probably find purpose in a more meandering way, says Bronk—through a combination of education, experience, and self-reflection, often helped along by encouragement from others. But finding your purpose can be jump-started, too, given the right tools. In a paper titled “Fostering Purpose Among Young Adults,” she and her colleagues found that exercises aimed at uncovering your values, interests, and skills, as well as practicing positive emotions like gratitude, can help point you toward your purpose in life.
Finding your purpose is a deeply individual journey of uncovering what drives you and makes you feel alive. It extends beyond career aspirations or social achievements to personal fulfillment and intentional living. Living with purpose means aligning your actions, decisions, and life paths with your core values and aspirations.
The essence of finding purpose is beautifully described in the Japanese concept of ikigai, which translates to finding joy through purpose. It encapsulates the satisfaction and fulfillment we find in doing what we love. It’s when what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all intersect.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the idea of finding your one true purpose. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Purpose isn’t a fixed entity but continuously evolving and changing as we grow, learn, and experience life. Your purpose today might shift tomorrow, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s about living intentionally, discovering what inspires you, and continuously evolving.
Recognizing when you’ve found your purpose can feel like finally seeing the sun break through the clouds after a long, gray day. It’s a moment of realization and clarity where everything seems to fall into place, and the world feels just “right”.
Finding your purpose gives you a profound feeling of contentment, satisfaction, and a boost of self-esteem. It’s where what you do and who you are seamlessly intertwine, creating harmony between your actions and essence.
When you’ve found your purpose, your actions, decisions, and life paths seem to align effortlessly with your core values and beliefs.
It’s essential to understand that finding your purpose is a journey, so allow for adaptation, growth, and transformation. It’s natural for your purpose to evolve with you as you grow and develop, so enjoy every step along the way.
If you like to be creative, try creating a scrapbook that visually maps out all the major moments in your life—both the highs and the lows. You can add photos, tickets, snippets, and doodles. Once complete, review your journey and look for patterns or moments that feel the most fulfilling. You might even find that meditating for a few minutes helps you to reflect more mindfully. It's in these quiet reflections that hints of your purpose might whisper.
If crafting isn’t as much your thing, you can write out a vision statement for your life the same way you would for a business endeavor. Don’t hold back. Allow yourself to really dream and be creative. Finding purpose starts by allowing yourself to imagine you could do anything, so enjoy the daydreaming throughout the process.
The best place to start is finding people who share passions similar to yours, e.g., in a class, community, or online group. Surround yourself with people who also aim to find their purpose and who (gently) challenge you to grow as a person.
If you have other friends who are seeking purpose in their lives, you could consider hosting a monthly 'purpose potluck' where friends bring a dish and share stories. These could be about moments they felt most alive, their passion, or a project they're working on.
It can be helpful to explore things in life that you enjoy, even if they feel small. Sometimes just enjoying small hobbies can spark ideas for you that might lead you to a bigger purpose. Maybe you’ve always loved yoga and you find that you might love teaching yoga. Or perhaps you’ve always loved hiking and then you find out that you can lead groups of hikers on outings. Exploring what lights you up is a great way to fill your joy cup, and move towards your purpose in life.
Get a blank journal. Dedicate each page to answering profound and silly questions like, "If I were a color, what would I be and why?" or "If I had to teach something, what would it be?" Your answers might surprise you. Journaling is like conversing with your inner self, exploring your thoughts, emotions, and dreams.
Keeping a gratitude journal is more than a record of daily thank-yous. As you jot down the things you're grateful for, reflect on how each item aligns with what you truly value in life. Over time, you might notice patterns—recurring themes or passions that stand out. These patterns can be valuable clues to what drives you, what makes you feel most alive, and, potentially, what your larger purpose might be.
Finding your purpose starts with self-reflection, asking yourself hard questions about what you love, are passionate about, and what brings you fulfillment. It involves exploring different paths, trying new things, and stepping out of your comfort zone to find honest answers from within.
Consider the process like piecing together a puzzle—each represents an aspect of yourself, your interests, values, passions, and dreams. Finding your purpose is about learning, growing, and constantly evolving. And, remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s your unique adventure toward finding what fits your core values.
Finding your purpose can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s challenging because it’s not just about what you want to do but who you want to be. Finding your true path in life can be filled with inner adventure and self-discovery, where self-exploration can guide you to find the things that bring you joy, align with your values, and fuel your passions.
When you’ve found your purpose, your actions, decisions, and life paths seem to align effortlessly with your core values and beliefs.
It’s essential to understand that finding your purpose is a journey, so allow for adaptation, growth, and transformation. It’s natural for your purpose to evolve with you as you grow and develop, so enjoy every step along the way.
If you like to be creative, try creating a scrapbook that visually maps out all the major moments in your life—both the highs and the lows. You can add photos, tickets, snippets, and doodles. Once complete, review your journey and look for patterns or moments that feel the most fulfilling. You might even find that meditating for a few minutes helps you to reflect more mindfully. It's in these quiet reflections that hints of your purpose might whisper.
If crafting isn’t as much your thing, you can write out a vision statement for your life the same way you would for a business endeavor. Don’t hold back. Allow yourself to really dream and be creative. Finding purpose starts by allowing yourself to imagine you could do anything, so enjoy the daydreaming throughout the process.
The best place to start is finding people who share passions similar to yours, e.g., in a class, community, or online group. Surround yourself with people who also aim to find their purpose and who (gently) challenge you to grow as a person.
If you have other friends who are seeking purpose in their lives, you could consider hosting a monthly 'purpose potluck' where friends bring a dish and share stories. These could be about moments they felt most alive, their passion, or a project they're working on.
It can be helpful to explore things in life that you enjoy, even if they feel small. Sometimes just enjoying small hobbies can spark ideas for you that might lead you to a bigger purpose. Maybe you’ve always loved yoga and you find that you might love teaching yoga. Or perhaps you’ve always loved hiking and then you find out that you can lead groups of hikers on outings. Exploring what lights you up is a great way to fill your joy cup, and move towards your purpose in life.
Get a blank journal. Dedicate each page to answering profound and silly questions like, "If I were a color, what would I be and why?" or "If I had to teach something, what would it be?" Your answers might surprise you. Journaling is like conversing with your inner self, exploring your thoughts, emotions, and dreams.
Keeping a gratitude journal is more than a record of daily thank-yous. As you jot down the things you're grateful for, reflect on how each item aligns with what you truly value in life. Over time, you might notice patterns—recurring themes or passions that stand out. These patterns can be valuable clues to what drives you, what makes you feel most alive, and, potentially, what your larger purpose might be.
Finding your purpose starts with self-reflection, asking yourself hard questions about what you love, are passionate about, and what brings you fulfillment. It involves exploring different paths, trying new things, and stepping out of your comfort zone to find honest answers from within.
Consider the process like piecing together a puzzle—each represents an aspect of yourself, your interests, values, passions, and dreams. Finding your purpose is about learning, growing, and constantly evolving. And, remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s your unique adventure toward finding what fits your core values.
Finding your purpose can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s challenging because it’s not just about what you want to do but who you want to be. Finding your true path in life can be filled with inner adventure and self-discovery, where self-exploration can guide you to find the things that bring you joy, align with your values, and fuel your passions.
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