FINDING PURPOSE

Life has a way of posing questions that feel both profound and unanswerable. What is my purpose? Who do i want to be?  these question whisper in my mind during quiet moments, scratch at the edges of comfort, and occasionally scream during life’s busier seasons. If you’ve ever felt the weight of not knowing your direction, you’re far from alone. This struggle is one of the most universal aspects of being human.

The search for purpose often feels like chasing shadows. You’re trying to grasp something intangible, something that feels as though it’s just out of reach. What makes it even harder is the overwhelming pressure to have it all figured out. To find that one thing you’re meant to do, the career that defines you, or the passion that gives your life meaning. Social media doesn’t help, with its endless parade of people seemingly living their “perfect” lives, purpose in hand, smiles plastered across their faces. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. 

But here’s the truth no one tells you. Purpose isn’t something you stumble upon in a single epiphany or by selecting a course at school. It’s something you discover through exploration, trial and error, and often sheer persistence. The path to purpose isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road with detours, dead ends, and moments of revelation tucked into the most unexpected corners of life.

One of the most important lessons in this journey is giving yourself permission to try. try everything. Try the things that intrigue you, even if they seem impractical. Take the art class even if you think you can’t draw. Start writing that book even if you doubt anyone will read it. Volunteer, travel, learn a new skill, or dive into a hobby you’ve been curious about but never pursued. Each of these experiences is a breadcrumb leading you closer to what truly resonates with you.

Your intuition, that quiet voice inside that lights up when you think about certain things, is a guide you can trust. And you should even learn to lean on more. It might tell you to sign up for that marathon, learn to play that instrument, or start a small side project that’s been lingering in the back of your mind. It’s not about the immediate outcome. But it’s about following the sparks that make you feel alive, even if they’re small. Trying is already an act of change.

It’s also important to remember that purpose doesn’t have to be grand. It doesn’t have to be world changing. Purpose can be found in the simplest ways, creating, connecting, helping, or simply being present. Sometimes, your purpose might shift. What fulfills you at one stage of life might evolve into something entirely different as you grow and change. And that’s okay. Purpose isn’t static, it’s dynamic, fluid, and truthfully personal to the person that is chasing it.

The struggle to find purpose is real, but it’s not a sign of failure. it’s a sign that you care about living a meaningful life. The journey itself, with all its turns, mistakes, and moments of doubt, is what makes the eventual discoveries feel so satisfying. Every path you walk, every risk you take, every gut feeling you follow brings you closer to understanding who you are and what makes your heart sing.

So, give yourself grace. Embrace the not knowing. Dive into the things that make you curious. Remember, the act of searching for purpose is in itself, deeply purposeful.