What Does It Mean to Have a Life Purpose?
Having a purpose in life doesn’t mean you need to become famous, change the world, or be perfect. It simply means waking up with a reason to get going—something that lights you up inside. Purpose is what helps you feel that your life matters, that what you do counts for something. It can be as big as launching a nonprofit or as simple as caring for your family with love and intention.
As the old saying goes, “The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”
Why Do So Many People Struggle to Find Their Purpose?
Let’s face it—life gets busy. You might be juggling work, family, bills, or just trying to stay afloat. When you’re in survival mode, thinking about your “life purpose” can feel overwhelming or even out of reach. Social media doesn’t help, either. It can make it seem like everyone else has it figured out while you’re just trying to get through the day.
But here’s some good news: you don’t need to have all the answers at once. Finding your purpose is a process, not a one-time moment of clarity. It unfolds through experiences, choices, and self-reflection.
Step 1: Start by Getting Honest With Yourself
Ask yourself:
- What lights me up?
- When do I feel most alive or engaged?
- What kind of activities or conversations give me energy, not drain it?
These questions can help point you toward what truly matters to you. If nothing comes to mind right away, that’s okay. Pay attention to your emotions and energy during the week. What lifts you up? What brings you down?
Journaling for just 10 minutes a day can help you see patterns over time. As you reflect, you might start to notice a theme or a pull in a certain direction.
Step 2: Look Back to Move Forward
Sometimes, the best clues to your future lie in your past. Think about your childhood or teenage years. What did you love doing before the world told you what you “should” do?
Maybe you loved drawing, writing stories, helping others, building things, solving puzzles, or asking deep questions. Those early joys often hold hints of your deeper purpose.
As Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
Step 3: Try New Things
Finding your purpose isn’t just about thinking—it’s also about doing. Try new hobbies, meet new people, volunteer, take a class, or travel if you can. Purpose is often found when you’re out there living, not sitting around waiting for it to arrive.
You might surprise yourself. That one event you almost didn’t attend could lead to a meaningful friendship, a career change, or a passion project. Keep showing up.
Step 4: Reflect on What Breaks Your Heart
Another powerful way to find your purpose is to look at what moves you emotionally. What problems in the world make you feel upset or deeply touched? Is there something you wish you could help fix or improve?
Your pain can point to your purpose. Whether it’s helping kids, caring for animals, fighting injustice, or supporting mental health, the things that stir your heart often guide you to where you’re needed most.
As Frederick Buechner put it, “Your purpose is where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”
Step 5: Think About What You’re Naturally Good At
We all have something we’re good at—even if we don’t always recognize it. Maybe you’re a great listener, problem-solver, organizer, or motivator. Maybe you’re creative, logical, empathetic, or funny.
Your strengths are part of your unique gift to the world. When you align your natural talents with what brings you joy, you create momentum and meaning.
Step 6: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
This step is key. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your life to others—especially when everyone’s sharing their highlight reel online. But your purpose is yours alone. It doesn’t need to look impressive, dramatic, or Instagram-worthy.
Stay in your own lane. What matters is that your purpose feels right to you, not anyone else. Purpose is personal—it’s not a competition.
Step 7: Be Willing to Redefine Success
Many people confuse purpose with success. But the truth is, you can be highly successful and still feel unfulfilled. On the flip side, you can live with deep purpose and have a simple, quiet life.
So ask yourself:
- What does success mean to me?
- What does enough look like?
- Am I chasing something that actually matters to me—or just what I think I’m supposed to want?
Step 8: Start Where You Are, With What You Have
You don’t need to quit your job or move to another country to start living with purpose. Start small. Maybe it means being more present with your kids, giving your best at work, helping a neighbor, or starting a side project that makes you excited again.
Purpose grows with action. It becomes clearer the more you follow what feels right, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
Step 9: Learn From People Who Inspire You
Think about someone you admire. What is it about their life that speaks to you? Is it their courage, kindness, creativity, or service? Inspiration can come from books, podcasts, movies, mentors, or even strangers.
Notice what makes you say, “I want to be more like that.” That’s a clue. It’s not about copying someone else—it’s about recognizing the qualities that resonate with your spirit.
Step 10: Trust That You’re on the Right Path
This journey takes time. There will be moments when it all feels foggy or slow. That’s okay. Keep trusting that every step is shaping you, even if you can’t see the full picture yet.
As the Japanese concept of ikigai teaches, purpose is found at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. But you don’t have to figure all that out right away. Just take the next best step.
And remember: you’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be to begin.
You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
Life isn’t a straight line. You’ll grow, change, stumble, and rise again. Your purpose may shift over time—and that’s natural. What matters most is living with intention and staying true to your values.
Every small act of kindness, every moment of honesty, every time you listen to your heart—it all adds up.
As long as you’re moving forward with curiosity, courage, and compassion, you’re doing just fine.