7 Ways to Find More Meaning in Your Life
Key takeaways:
Having a sense of purpose has been shown to positively impact mental, emotional, and physical health.
If you're not feeling connected to your sense of purpose, try exploring your values. Look for ways to embody what matters to you in your everyday life.
Volunteering your time or talent can help you connect to your purpose. Volunteer with organizations whose missions are important to you.
We've all heard that having a sense of purpose can enrich our lives. But have you ever stopped to ponder why?
It turns out that having a sense of purpose isn't just good for your emotional well-being. It can also have a positive effect on your mental and physical health. A sense of purpose can positively impact common concerns like stress, aging, self-esteem, and even cardiovascular disease.
With a little practice and self-exploration, you can learn to cultivate a sense of purpose that helps you live a more fulfilling life.
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How to find your purpose to live a more meaningful life
Many people find that feeling connected to something beyond themselves is good for the mind, body, and spirit. If you'd like to work on your sense of purpose, here are some things you can try.
1. Find your passion
What makes you feel more alive, enthusiastic, curious, or engaged? This can mean many different things to different people. For example, are there particular hobbies or activities you have always loved? Is there a new skill or sport you’ve always wanted to learn?
Ask yourself the following:
What do you enjoy most?
When do you feel most like yourself?
When do you feel most focused?
What makes you feel curious and engaged?
Or, is there a societal or community issue that always seems to grab your attention? Imagine you had the power to overturn an injustice. What would that be? What are the issues that you care about and imagine always caring about?
Finding a way to activate your passion is a great way to connect to your sense of purpose.
2. Embody your values
Most of the time, your passions are tied to your values. If you're having trouble honing in on yours, you can try a values survey like this one.
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Once you have a clearer understanding of your values, ask yourself how those values show up in your daily life. How do they govern your choices or behavior? Looking for opportunities to embody your values can help you feel more aligned with your sense of purpose.
Keep in mind that you can do this in small ways. For example, if you value learning, you can expand your horizons each day by reading a few chapters of a book. If you value family, you can commit to spending 30 minutes of quality time with them each night after dinner.
3. Give back
There are many ways to give back and support the causes you care about. This will help you tap into your sense of purpose through a concrete and personal connection. You can volunteer your time and talent with a nonprofit organization whose mission aligns with your values. Or, if you're short on time, you could consider making a financial donation.
Know that most nonprofits offer flexible volunteer opportunities. You don't have to make a huge time commitment to become a volunteer. And it turns out that volunteering is not only good for your community — it's also good for your mental health.
4. Reflect on your gifts
Think about what comes easily to you. What skills or talents do you possess? If you can learn to channel these gifts toward a cause or activity you care about, it will help you connect to your purpose.
For example, maybe you're an excellent writer or communicator. If so, you could volunteer to write a newsletter to inform your community about an important issue. Or perhaps you're more the creative type. You could make art that tells a story that matters to you and that brings people together.
5. Look for role models
Your sense of purpose is uniquely yours. But if you're struggling to feel connected to it, sometimes looking to others can help.
Take a step back and consider whom you admire. This could be a public figure (past or present) or someone in your own family. Think about what draws you to that person and what it is about them that you'd like to emulate. Allow their lives to serve as a source of inspiration for yours.
6. Practice gratitude
There's a reason we call it "practicing" gratitude. Because taking the time to slow down and account for what we're grateful for isn't always easy. But when you get into the habit, you'll enjoy some incredible benefits.
Research shows that gratitude and happiness are interconnected. By practicing gratitude you can feel more connected to the world around you and live a fuller, more purpose-driven life.
There are many ways to practice gratitude. For example, you can remind yourself of three things you’re grateful for each night before you go to sleep. Or you could write them down in a gratitude journal.
7. Think about your legacy
Legacy isn't something reserved for the rich and powerful. And it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Each person leaves an impact on the world that continues after they're gone. What do you want yours to be?
Think about what you'd like to be known for in the present and beyond:
What type of person do you want to be?
How would you want your friends, family, and community to remember you?
What do you want to accomplish?
How will you make the world a better place?
These are big questions to ponder, and there are no right or wrong answers. But considering your legacy can help you choose a path that connects you to your purpose.
Why is it helpful to have a sense of purpose?
According to the research, people who have a sense of purpose tend to have better physical, emotional, and mental health. They may have:
A greater sense of optimism and hope
More resiliency to navigate challenges
More happiness and fulfillment
Lower stress levels
More engagement at work, school, and at home
A greater capacity to learn and tackle new tasks
More financial stability and career growth
The bottom line
We've all heard that having a sense of purpose can improve our lives. But defining your purpose can feel overwhelming. Rest assured that everyone, no matter their background, can cultivate a sense of purpose. Take some time for self-exploration and think about your values. Identify what matters most to you and look for ways to embody those things in your everyday life.
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References
Blattner, M. C. C., et al. (2013). Searching for a sense of purpose: The role of parents and effects on self-esteem among female adolescents. Journal of Adolescence.
Bundick, M. J. (2011). The benefits of reflecting on and discussing purpose in life in emerging adulthood. New Directions for Youth Development.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Giving thanks can make you happier.
Hill, P. L., et al. (2016). The value of a purposeful life: Sense of purpose predicts greater income and net work. Journal of Research in Personality.
Hill, P. L., et al. (2018). Sense of purpose moderates the associations between daily stressors and daily well-being. Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Koizumi, M., et al. (2008). Effect of having a sense of purpose in life on the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Journal of Epidemiology.
Lockard, T. (2022). How volunteering improves mental health. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Scottsdale Community College. (2019). Why having a sense of purpose is important.
Windsor, T. D., et al. (2015). Sense of purpose as a psychological resource for aging well. Developmental Psychology.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
