I always thought your purpose in life was tied to a job. Whenever I was asked, “What are your goals?”, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, “What are your intentions?” my answer inside my head was, “I have no idea.” I have worked as a Human Resources Generalist, Bookkeeper/Office Manager, Secretary, and stay-at-home mom. I have loved all these jobs, but besides being a mother, I wouldn’t say any of them were my “calling” or felt like my purpose. So, how do you find your purpose?

Since I have become an empty nester, I have had more time to think about this and read my “self-help” books (I’m kind of a “self-help” junkie). I have learned that your true purpose is to live your life, loving what you do. What motivates you, what do you share with the world, what do you get paid for, or what are you good at?  It’s what makes you feel fulfilled.  The main thing is that it is something you love to do, comes easily to you, and you can share it with others.

How do you figure out what your purpose is?

You need to find what you love to do and what makes you happy. Make a list of what excites you, what makes you smile, and what gives you that happy feeling in your soul.  What do you do that makes other people feel good? Why are others complimenting you?

I have many lists, but a few items appear on each.

• I spend time with family and friends, especially at the cabin, but I love to hang out, drink wine, eat, play games, and talk!
• Reading and learning
• Listening and dancing to music
• Journal/Writing
• Traveling
• Painting
• Pilates/Yoga
• I have been complimented for my listening skills and my organization.

Looking at that list, I don’t really see a purpose! It just looks like a lot of fun!

Related Posts: 6 Questions to Help You Find Your Passion In Life and How to Find Your Ikigai and Live Your Purpose

And that is where I think a lot of us get hung up. You think you must have one purpose/job that makes you who you are; if you are not doing that, you are not fulfilling the life you are supposed to. You think the fun part is a luxury or indulgence.

But does your purpose have to be your job?

No, it does not. Yes, work pays the bills, and that needs to be a priority, but what if you did what you loved too? What if you made what you loved a priority and made it into a job or a side hustle?

For example:

I love to…

paint, so right now, I am experimenting with painting words on wooden boards. I will keep doing it and keep trying to perfect it, and who knows, maybe I’ll make money on them someday.

write, so I started this blog! I have much to learn, but maybe I’ll have enough followers someday to make money!

take Pilates class, and if I worked hard, I could become certified and teach!

travel, maybe I could add a travel blog!

hang out with friends, and maybe that could translate into doing workshops or retreats!

be a good listener and be organized, so maybe that could translate into some sort of life coach or trainer!

You get the idea.

When you love what you do, others will see that. Your joy and light will shine; just like a lighthouse, you will draw people to you. If you are not already doing what you love, take some time to figure out what that is. Here are a few journal prompts to help you.

Journal Prompts to Help Find Your Purpose

• What are your hobbies?
• What qualities and talents come effortlessly to you?
• Describe your ideal day.
• What are you doing on the days you can’t wait to get out of bed?
• What would you like to do that you haven’t had time to do?
• Describe the perfect job for you.
• What can you do that the world needs?
• What would you do for free?

From the answers to the questions above, what is the one thing that excites you the most?

Find your purpose by discovering your soul’s purpose

Your soul’s purpose is why you are here on this earth at this time. You can find it by connecting with your higher spirit and becoming aware of how it expresses itself through you. The things that come naturally and bring you the most joy come from your soul’s purpose. Sometimes, we try too hard to figure out our purpose when it is already inside us. We have to let it out.

There are many ways to discover your soul’s purpose. You can work with energy healers, meditate and listen for new thoughts, do automatic journaling, work with a spiritual coach, take long walks in nature, and pay attention to what makes you the happiest.

You can also find your Dharma, Human Design, or some other test that helps you understand what you are called to do.

Feeling aligned with your soul will make finding and appreciating your purpose much easier.

But even if you are doing what you love, is there something else calling you?

Some of you are blessed and are living your purpose with things you love to do. For example, my sister loves to cook and makes a living catering. My other sister is a very talented designer and makes a living consulting and designing for clients.

Humans are unique, and we have different skills, personalities, and dreams. Everyone’s path is different, and the world needs us all to thrive. Therefore, don’t give up on the things you love; make your own list of what makes you happy, and do that! It may turn into your purpose!

Your purpose will differ from anyone else’s because only you know what makes you happy.

The Dalai Lama says, “the very purpose of life is to be happy,” and who will argue with the Dalai Lama?

So, I will stop worrying about my purpose and find time to do what makes me happy and makes others happy. You should, too.

“Go be you regardless of the outcome. Go do things that you love, regardless of how good people think you are. Without even bothering your head about what others say! You do you.”
Rebecca Campbell, “Light is the New Black”