Purpose — do you have it, do you lack it, did you ever take a look at what you thought it was for you and then second guessed it?
Purpose is a driving force. It gets people up in the morning, moving, on the productivity train not stopping anytime soon. Purpose is important and losing it can create a big toll on your self-worth. I myself have felt like I lacked purpose at a point or two in my life.
You start feeling extra lazy, losing interest and goals, even stop showing the care that you and others deserve. Purpose is not just about the dream, but the journey.
Talking to people about transitioning back to the norm from a 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in a lock-down, a common theme was brought up — the lack of purpose felt during quarantine.
The pandemic has been linked to a rather concerning growth in mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. What’s even more prevalent is the increase in suicides stemming from this.
Purpose is hard to find when you feel isolated and cut off from the world. But that connection should never die within. Even in a world where we continue to social distance to keep everyone safe, how can we become more connected within ourselves?
Finding purpose in life is important for a happier and healthier lifestyle, but how do we find purpose?
A great way to get to know yourself more is journaling. Nothing too time consuming or even a chore, but journaling every now and then about how you’re feeling, what you’re going through, things that make you happy and bother you. Developing a sense of self through your writing can give you a better idea of what purpose you want to serve in your life.
Focusing on what goals you have or what other goals you want to accomplish can give you a great sense of purpose. Try to examine what is driving you in the moment and what really sparks joy in your life.
Another way to help you find your purpose is talking to your friends and family. Sometimes we create an image of ourselves that tends to head more toward our worst attributes rather than qualities that make us stand out, make us unique.
Getting a second opinion from your friends and family who know you and love you can change your thinking in a more positive manner — maybe help you see something that wasn’t clear enough before.
Life can be rough, but having or finding that purpose to push you through will make every day worth it.
