Life purpose is one of the hardest, most loaded questions we wrestle with in our time here. Part of the reason is how deeply outside narratives seep in, shaping not just our choices, but our very sense of self.
But what if it could be simpler and lighter? Hidden in plain sight?
We live in a loud, chaotic world.
From the beginning of our lives, people who seem to have it all figured out speak with certainty about the “rules of the game”. First our caretakers, then our teachers, peers and mainstream society.
We grow up surrounded by systems that profit from shaping how we see life. Purpose gets commodified, turned into corporate slogans, or sold as pricey trips.
And so, little by little, we lose touch with ourselves. Suddenly, we don’t know how to use our time when no one’s telling us what to do — because we’ve learned to ignore that inner voice.
We contemplate whether to buy a one-way ticket to Bali to “find ourselves”, or to stay on a corporate job we merely tolerate — and we’re not excited about either.
This post isn’t here to add more noise about what your purpose “should” be. The aim is simpler: to help you reconnect with what’s alive — by loosening the weight of old narratives and exploring fresher, lighter alternatives.
Take what resonates, and leave the rest.
1. Purpose as Sensation
It’s not about a perfect statement, well crafted niche, or a neat 5-year plan.
Don’t get me wrong — these tools can bring clarity. The reflections that emerge spark emotional states, pointing to where you might look further.
But the words you write are not the point.
Think of purpose as the emotional signature underneath. The subtle waves of excitement. The bodily discomfort of a new challenge. The quiet yearning for something yet to take form.
So, to reconnect with purpose:
Create space to notice these shifts in your body — away from a busy routine
Observe: does this feel light and alive? Or heavy and dull?
Notice where your energy wants to flow. Take the smallest step in that direction
Your answers might not sound “cool”, and you may have no idea where they’ll lead. That’s ok.
All you need is a real sensation, and the courage to act on it.
2. Purpose as Scary — and Cyclical
Purpose isn’t just thrilling — it’s terrifying. Fear and excitement are two sides of the same coin.
You can think of it like a forest. Vast, beautiful, full of possibility. But also daunting — you see examples of what can go wrong at every turn.
Following your purpose means paving your own trail through the woods, instead of sticking to a safe, predefined one. Since your chosen path is the culmination of your life experiences and values, purpose also feels like baring your soul for the world to see.
Challenging is an understatement. Purpose is perceived as a threat to survival. It shakes the very foundations we stand on: financial subsistence, family expectations, the social circles that give us belonging.
It’s a lot to take in. You’ll have periods of expansion, and periods of contraction — times of bold advancement, and moments of retreating to lick your wounds.
So it’s important to accept, even celebrate those periods. They aren’t a detour — they are the journey itself. Meaning emerges from contrast — sorrow and hope, bitter and sweet, stagnation and aspiration.
You’re not falling behind. You’re gathering what you need.
3. Purpose as Savoring
Purpose isn’t just about what you create. It’s also about what you enjoy.
Quiet nights by the sea. Long conversations with family and old friends. Losing yourself in music, books, or even Wikipedia rabbit holes.
These aren’t distractions — they’re fuel. They recharge and inspire, so you can bring more energy to what you make.
Sure, define what you want to create.
But also choose, with intention, what you most want to savor. What are your favorite gifts that life has to offer? The experiences that recharge you the most? Some moments you hope to live one day?
Lifelong dreams. Everyday luxuries. Quirky curiosities. Count it all in.
Because more often than not, what you experience feeds into what you create. Your appreciation for life comes back as inspiration and fresh energy for your pursuits.
The more you savor life, the more energy you’ll have to shape it.
4. Purpose as a Social Game
A sure way to get stuck is trying to do everything yourself.
Yes, purpose is deeply personal. Yes, it’s important to carve out the space to connect with it first. But if you don’t share it with others in some form, it’s not yet alive in the world — it's just incubating.
That’s ok. Give it time.
But notice when you're hiding in your own thoughts and fantasies. It's a safe place — you don't have to deal with the messy work and whatever comes out on the other side. The cost, though, is stagnation and delayed dreams.
So give yourself permission to explore in silence. But when you’re ready, share something. Put it out there on a small scale. Find a supportive community you can grow with, a mentor, or just one person who you can be fully honest with.
You start living your purpose the moment you share it.
5. Purpose as a Series of Experiments
Finally, this might be the one of the most important reframes.
You don’t “find your purpose” once and for all, and then live the same day forever. Purpose shifts, evolves and takes new forms for as long as you’re breathing. It’s not a destination — it’s a living transformation.
This is why I prefer the word experiment to path.
Paths can often become rigid and boring — keeping you boxed in when fresher grass is calling.
Experiments keep you engaged without taking yourself too seriously. They let you tinker, add, subtract, blow things up when needed — leading to discoveries and patterns that are uniquely yours.
So, in the beggining, don’t rush to label yourself as a “writer”, “solopreneur”, or whatever you aspire to be. Notice how those labels can lock you into a corner — and eventually stifle your creativity.
Instead, let curiosity lead. See yourself as an explorer. A creator of new worlds. An adventurer in search of hidden treasures. And have fun in the journey ahead.
Because the goal isn’t to fit perfectly into a label, but to become the deepest expression of who you are.
Before you go ✨
Which of these resonated with you the most? If something sparked, I’d love to hear your take.
As this space grows, I’ll be sharing more insights, tools and systems to reconnect with what’s alive in you.
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