Five questions to ask yourself to help unearth your life purpose.
Purpose. It's a word full of meaning and hope that can drive us forward each day. And yet, it's elusive. We're all chasing it, but few have pinpointed what theirs actually is.
The reality is, finding your purpose can be a lifelong endeavour that only truly reveals itself when you look back in hindsight and connect the dots. But thankfully, you already hold many of the answers — it's just a matter of tuning out all of the 'shoulds' that society places on us, and carving out time to actually listen to your intuition.
By carving out time for quiet reflection, you can be your own true north and gain greater clarity over what drives you. To help uncover your own remarkable purpose, start by asking yourself these questions.
When was the last time you were truly happy?
Ask yourself: when was the last time you were truly lost in the moment, just enjoying your life? Not in a performative way but true, unbridled child-like joy.
Jot down the first three memories that come to mind. It could be on the last holiday you went on, when you were teaching someone something new or just laughing about something silly with your friends. Reflecting on your life’s highlights is one of the most helpful tools to really find out what your remarkable purpose is.
What are your gifts?
Each and every one of us has a gift, and it's our mission to figure out what they are and how we can use them. But, the problem is — sometimes we're just too close to these gifts, that we think they're a given Like, "Oh, surely everyone knows how to cook a three-course meal from scratch!" or "Making music can't be a career, it's just something I do for fun!" Sometimes, asking your friends, parents, or partner what they think your gifts are can point out things you wouldn’t recognise on your own. Another fun way to explore your unique traits and skills is to do the 16 Personality test.
What did you love to do as a child?
Looking back on your childhood can reveal the natural passions that have always been inside us. Cast your mind back to how you spent a lot of your time growing up. If you always had your nose in a book or a pen in your hand, maybe you were destined to become a writer? Or, perhaps you were an extremely curious child that loved exploring nature and would thrive in a career in the science fields?
What was or still is your biggest struggle in life?
Your past adversities not only make you stronger, but also give you a unique understanding and ability to help other people experiencing hard times. For example, maybe you were bullied in school and now you want to protect other kids from what you went through. Or, perhaps you've had struggles with addictions and could really help others who are going through the same?
What really moves you?
We live in a world full of problems. This means we live in a world full of opportunities to use your unique skills to help. From climate change and mental health awareness to gender equality, what 21st-century issue gives you a strong sense of outrage and make you think "this HAS to change" If it makes you angry, it could be the path to your purpose.