Do you feel you are wasting your valuable time working on something that is not for you? Do you keep wondering why the hell you are doing so while you should be looking for your purpose instead? Well, most people do so and usually for most of their lives. Some people even die without having ever found their purpose. But what I suggest here is that you should stop looking for your purpose, and let me explain why.
Most of us believe that our purpose is some sort of destination. We have this illusion created inside our minds that sometime we will find something extraordinary. We are willing to pursue our purpose until we finally find it, although it might never happen. It is most likely that we will run out of time while doing so, or, even worst we might just run out of hope. This would only make us feel miserable and worthless.
We should not see purpose as a destination. To be totally honest, I do not think that purpose is even the right word.
Read also: What Nobody Tells You About Life – 20 Facts to Know
Why You Need to Stop Looking for Purpose
1. Looking for Purpose Increases Your Anxiety
Living your life with the thought that you have to find your purpose in life is more like a big reason to make you feel anxious rather than a motivation. What if you spend years of your life and still haven’t found your purpose? Is this idea of something bigger than you, that you should aim for real? Are you capable of finding it? Is there something wrong with you? Why is it taking you so damn long?
All these questions looking for answers definitely can cause tremendous levels of stress if someone is prone to it. Usually, when we give up on looking for something, it magically appears right in front of us. Sometimes it is our anticipation to get somewhere which prevents us from seeing how close we actually are.
Let go of your expectations of how things should be. Let go of your expectations of yourself. Enjoy life each step of the way. A less stressful life is definitely a better life.
“Whenever you become anxious or stressed, outer purpose has taken over, and you lost sight of your inner purpose. You have forgotten that your state of consciousness is primary, all else secondary.”
Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
Read also: How to Recharge Yourself Emotionally – 8 Ideas to Help
2. Purpose is Already Part of you Not Something you Have to Look for Out There
Understand that what people usually call your purpose is already a part of you. It is not something you have to look for out there to find. It is actually a better understanding of yourself, your talents, gifts, and values. Once you understand yourself and value him for what he is, you will start living with purpose each step of the way.
Instead of looking for a purpose, try to understand what is your gift. Stop looking for your purpose and get a better understanding of why people mostly need you for.
Usually, others ask you to write something for them or review something they have written? Then maybe writing or editing is your skill. Do people ask for your opinion about fashion? Maybe fashion is your gift. We are all good at several things, but sometimes others have a better understanding than we do.
Changing your perspective to focus on what you already have rather than something that is outside of you only means that you no longer need to look for a purpose.
Read also: 8 Useful Tips to Gain the Power of Building Consistency
3. There is No One Life Purpose
Exactly as your talents and what you are better at are not only one thing, there is no one life purpose. You might have different purposes for different aspects of your life and probably that is correct since nobody is just one thing.
Read also: 4 Approaches to Show How to Find Beauty in Imperfection
4. Looking For Purpose is Not Something Bigger than You
You usually think of purpose as something big which is out of your reach. You think that purpose is something you must fight for, but only those who are gifted enough finally reach it. This idea, which is tightly connected with the word “purpose” generates fear and self-doubt.
Understanding yourself and your talents is something that can make that fear go away and allow you to build confidence in yourself.
Read also: Turn Impossible Into Possible – 10 Bits of Advice to Help
5. You Can Only Find Purpose Through Action
Whatever your purpose in life is, there is no point in just looking for it. Most of the time, just wondering whether it is one thing, or another is just pointless. You can only find your purpose in life through action.
Start doing things. Try new things. Do not just investigate theoretically. The purpose is a road, not a destination. Try things and then decide that something is not for you. Fail and be bad at several things until you find something which you will be great at if you stay with it for long enough.
Read also: How to Be Happy with Yourself and Feel Happy Alone
6. Understand Where You are in Life to Find Your Purpose
Stop looking for your purpose and understand where you stand in your life. Are you pleased with it? Do you experience joy through your actions, job, and overall life? Is there anything more you can do? Can you change what no longer feels right?
Take action to improve your life the best way you can. Learn to live your life intentionally. Learn how to live your life by doing things and making decisions. Stop looking for purpose and start living with purpose instead.
Read also: Perception is Reality – 4 Tips to Help You Alter it
Final Thoughts on Why You Should Stop Looking For Purpose
Most people think of purpose as something they have to look for, while purpose is actually more like a process and a way of living. Living your life with purpose means that you live your life aiming to grow, learn, and understand yourself and the world a bit more every day.
Your actions and the work you put into anything bring meaning and purpose into your life. They also help you discover how you can achieve personal growth, extend your skills and talents, and create a new vision for yourself.
The world often feels like a hostile place to live, but it is important to live our lives with purpose, and it is more important to understand that purpose is not something we look for and find it. Our purpose is something each one of us creates.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Read also: Words Create Worlds – Why Words are Important?
What do you think?
I would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
If you liked this post, share it.
To read more posts, like this one subscribe to my mailing list.
I love this! Your purpose is whatever you want it to be. We’re looking for meaning where there isn’t 🙂
I am glad you liked it Michelle. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I agree that focusing on it can be a source of anxiety and that won’t do good for the progress.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
This is a fresh–and less stressful, way to look at life! Thanks, Eri!
Thank you for commenting Sue!
It certainly increases anxiety about where you are, why you’re there and where you could be. I also found that it increases thoughts of comparison with others. Truth be told, none of us know what we’re doing here – we’re just here! Not everyone needs to have a ‘purpose.’
Exactly lovely! Thank you so nuch for reading and commenting!
We agree with your point that searching for your purpose in life is not something that one has to do. In fact, we would go one step further and say that purpose in life emerges from the meaning we give our work, relationships, and self-care. As stressful as it might seem to find purpose in life, we believe that meaning in what is goes a lot further and requires less external effort. All one has to do in look inward. Introspection definitely helps. Thank you for sharing this. Great post!
I couldn’t agree more with you about everything you say regarding purpose and the meaning we give to everything in our lives. Thank you so much for this insightful comment!
Thank you, and you’re welcome. We are happy that you found the comment insightful!
Yes!!!! You don’t need to look for purpose in life. You can dream big and pursue it. All you need to do is have courage.
Dream big and have the courage to pursue it! I love this Fadima. Thank you!
Great post, we’re always so busy looking for the next thing rather than just enjoying the moment
Glad you liked it Sarah. Thank you for commenting!
This was so refreshing to read and a nice reminder that there is much around us that we should let ourselves enjoy and nurture! 🌸
I am glad you found it refreshing Molly. We can find joy in everything around us. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
“Purpose is found inside you…the purpose of life is to live it” are 2 powerful statements you made. weirdlifestyle. I believe we are all born with a seed of purpose. It’s for us to ask God for his will and purpose for our lives so that we can nurture and grow our seed of purpose and start bearing fruits.
Thank you for reading and commenting Kevin!
Agreed. We have multiple things to achieve.
Thank you Jamie!
This truly is a great blog post. Thank you so much for writing and sharing your perspective on purpose and on how one can live less anxious and stressed about it. I agree with your points. I spent so much time worried and stressing to find out what I should be doing that I completely ignored that the answer was lying in what I was already doing. If we spend too much time in our minds looking for purpose outside ourselves, I believe we’re just wasting time and mental health.
We are definitely wasting time Vanessa. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Oh my gosh you are so right!
Sad to think there are some that have died before finding their purpose, but like you say it’s all about the route you take rather than the destination!
Thank you so nuch for reading and commenting Annabel!
I love this so much! I definitely think that trying to find your purpose can end up doing more harm than good in terms of causing anxiety, and I also think that purpose is deeply rooted in who we are and a part of us we shouldn’t need to find. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am glad you liked it. Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
It’s important to understand this is our story being written. God knows the plans and purposes He has for us and I have learned the importance of trusting Him daily. Fear and anxiety regarding the future can be overwhelming but it’s important to take one day at a time. Thank you for sharing this post. ☺️
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
As you said it Natalie. One day at a time. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Excellent post. I think there’s so much weird pressure on finding your one true purpose, no wonder so many people are confused about it. I wrote a post last year about how I didn’t think I had a purpose and I’m all but done looking for it right now, I’m just trying to go with the flow and see what happens!
I am glad you liked it Jenny and you agree with me. Thank you for commenting 🙂
I agree. I’ve never felt like I needed to have a purpose. I’m here, I’ll just get on with things, and adjust as needed or wanted. There’s no point stressing out for not getting to where you want to, or even never finding out what your purpose is. I’m perfectly happy not needing one!
Glad you agree Emma. Thank you for reading and commenting!
“Let go of your expectations of how things should be” is a word! I was browsing through your blog again, this statement spoke to me; very powerful
Thank you Kevin!
I would agree that there is no point stressing about finding your purpose. Just do what you love and you’ll gain greater clarity into what your ‘true purpose’ is. Worse case scenario, you did a lot of things you enjoyed doing.
Crystal | http://www.amazingbaby.app
Thank you for reading and commenting!