Today, more than ever, it’s easy to feel like you’re operating on a constant hamster wheel. On one hand, we have the pressures of modern society demanding that we be productive and efficient; after all, just how much time can we spend watching Netflix anyway? On the other hand, with technological advancements at our fingertips, the temptation to catch up on social media and waste away our days aimlessly surfing the net is never greater either. Even if you don’t suffer from general depression or anxiety (or maybe even in conjunction with those things?). These conditions are an uncomfortable reality for most people in today’s plugged-in world. The constant stream of new information – positive and negative – and temptations from outside forces wears everyone down eventually. Those who don’t have any mental health issues may end up questioning their purpose in life. They also question whether they should even continue striving towards achieving their goals. That fear that what you do really doesn’t matter has a way of creeping into your subconscious mind as time goes by. It can continue to do so without proper emotional or physical nourishment to counteract it. If this sounds like you then chances are you need to find your purpose in life before it eats you alive from the inside out. It might seem impossible but rethinking your priorities can be easier than you think; check out these 5 steps below to help get you started:
1 Assess your present life
The first step is to reassess your present life and ask yourself what you want out of it. Maybe you’ve already figured out what your life’s purpose is – maybe it’s to be a great parent, give back to your community, or even just to have an impact on the world in general. If that’s the case, then congratulations! You should be well on your way to finding new goals so that you can achieve that purpose. But if that doesn’t suit you, think about what would make your life more fulfilling. Maybe it’s working at something that you’re passionate about rather than something that pays well or spending time with people who matter most to you. These might not seem like monumental changes, but they could ultimately make all the difference in how content with your life feels. Next is identifying where your energy goes when it’s not focused on work or other responsibilities. Are you constantly surfing social media? Do you get into arguments with friends? Do you watch too much Netflix? Whatever those activities are for you and the amount of time they consume, try to cut them out of your routine for at least one week. No Facebook allowed! Finally, take some time for self-reflection; whether this occurs in writing a journal entry or speaking with someone close to you about how you feel, just doing this will help put things into perspective and allow for more focused goals.
2 Review your past joys and successes to find your purpose
This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often people forget about the things that brought them joy in the past. Before we can figure out what our purpose is, we need to remember what it was that made us happy before society told us we should be unhappy. It may have been playing football with your friends when you were a kid or hiking through nature on a sunny day. These are things that make up who you are and give you a sense of self-worth and meaning. Without these memories, we might feel like there’s no reason for us to strive for anything anymore; we’re just waiting for the day when we can lay down and die without any regrets. For some people, this might come after reaching a certain milestone in their career or life; others might use memories of their parents as inspiration to find their purpose later in life or even after they pass away. Whether you choose to take inspiration from your past or not, reevaluating who you were and what made you happy will help guide your purpose down the right path.
3 Find common threads
One of the best ways to think about your purpose is to find common threads throughout your life. Think about all of the things you enjoy doing and ask yourself: why do I do those things? What benefits do they provide me in my life? It might be a hobby, such as playing an instrument or writing; it could also be something that you care deeply about, like helping others or working towards a specific goal. For example, if you’re someone who enjoys cooking, it might make you feel good knowing that you’ve fed others.
4 Explore what delights and excites you
The first step is to explore what delights you and excites you. Whether it’s reading a good book or spending time with friends and family, there are plenty of things that bring you joy and make your life worth living. A lot of people can get caught up in the rat race of success. Value these moments to be cherished and enjoyed.
5 Make a plan of personal growth
Your personal growth plan is one of the most important things you can do to help you find your purpose. You need to take a step back and seriously evaluate what you want out of life. What does it mean for you to be happy? Does that mean being successful, being in love, having friends? What are some things that will make your life better on a general level? To start, here’s a good place to start: write down all the things you’re grateful for in your life. For example, maybe you’re thankful for time with family or developing meaningful friendships. Maybe you realize that spending more time outside is an essential part of happiness for you. Just start connecting these ideas together into a coherent whole and build from there by prioritizing what makes up your purpose in life.