Being an adult can sometimes feel downright hard. As children, we were often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And we always answered with such genuine and unabashed enthusiasm. An astronaut. A teacher. A doctor. But now, as adults? It’s these oddly stressful inquires that make us wonder where we’re going in life. Instead of these upbeat questions about what we want to do with our lives, it’s those 3 a.m. musings where we ask ourselves if we’re ever going to find our purpose in life. If you’ve been struggling with figuring out where you stand in the universe, here are a few ways you can help gently guide yourself back to a sense of purpose and direction.
Explore the world (literally and figuratively!)
The world is, to put it mildly, a huge place. We’re looking at a whopping 197 million square miles for us to explore and roam. If you’ve been hanging out in your living room, afraid to see what’s out there, then it’s no wonder you’re completely lost! And you know what? If you’re too anxious to book a plane ticket to a foreign country, no worries. You can discover the marvels of the little blue dot from your couch just by picking up a book (or, more realistically, opening up your internet browser). The more you learn about the world around you, the more you’ll learn about yourself, too.
Know what your strengths are
If you feel like your life has no genuine purpose, it may be because you don’t know what your strong suits are. The thing is, you probably have people in life who have casually paid you a compliment about what you’re good at, but you might have simply dismissed it and not given it a second thought. Look, we all have our strengths. Maybe you’re not going to save lives one day, but perhaps you’re a fantastic singer or a kind and patient ear to your friends in need. By being aware of your strengths and talents, you can ultimately help foster a sense of purpose in your life.
Ignore naysayers and negativity
How can you learn what your strengths are if you’re always surrounded by people who put you down and insult you? While it’s important to have friends who are practical and logical to act as a foil to impulsive whims, if you always hear things like, “No, you can’t do that,” or, “I don’t think you’re capable enough to do this,” then you need to take a hard look at both these unhealthy relationships and yourself. Ask yourself why you let those types of people tarnish your joy. Instead, you need friends who will support and encourage you and help you be the best possible version of yourself!
Use your experiences to help others
I know what you’re thinking. How can you possibly help others find their purpose in life if you still haven’t found your own? As unbelievable as it may seem, you’re not the only person in the world who hasn’t gotten all of your ducks in a row. Sure, it may feel like that, especially when you see all of your friends landing impressive careers, getting married, and having approximately two-point-five beautiful children. But these people are only a small subset of the rest of the population. If you’re still looking for your purpose in life, then you can be certain that there are millions of others in the same shoes. By sharing your own personal struggles with it, you can help inspire and motivate those who are as lost and confused as you are. In turn, you’ll find your purpose in life and help others. It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?
Be the best version of yourself
Nobody is going to say that it’s not more than a little daunting to feel lost in life. No matter what your age is, it’s perfectly normal to wonder where you’re going. Even if you thought you had everything all under control yesterday, today you may be doubting yourself. Here’s the big secret, though: you can’t quit. Even if you’re feeling defeated and like you’ll never figure yourself out, tomorrow is a brand-new day. Keep trying, push on, and never give up. Before you know it, you’ll have mastered your own purpose in life and finally feel the peace and happiness that comes with learning who you truly are!
