What Lights You Up: 3 Tools to Help Find Your Purpose
I read a question the other day, "Is what you're doing in life right now bringing you joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction?"
Are you doing things that make you happy or do you feel stuck and bored every day?
For the longest time, I've thought I had to know my "life's calling" NOW. That I have to know exactly what I want to do and make money doing what I'm passionate about...It's caused all this stress and pressure in my life because the answer I felt I kept getting from myself was I don’t know.
Much to my frustration, I realized that I don’t have to know. It’s all about accepting the “I don’t know” and having patience. In a culture that craves instant gratification and celebrates success, deciding that it’s okay to just sit in the discomfort of the unknowing, and learn to make it comfortable, is an incredibly difficult lesson (one in which I’m currently learning).
One thing that makes me feel a little better about it (I’m definitely not a fan of the whole lack of direction and patience thing) is to CHOOSE every day. Choose to set your intention and focus, and simply live life in a way that feels aligned and like you’re moving in the right direction. For me, some days that might look like sleeping in late, making tea, reading a good book, and nourishing my soul. Other days it’s setting up meetings with potential clients and brainstorming business ideas. If something doesn’t “feel good,” I evaluate whether it’s a necessary evil or something I just ain’t gonna do anymore!
In case no one has ever told you…YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT. That’s what life is all about. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination (shh, I love that cheesy shit).
If you’re still feeling a little lost and wanting more guidance, I have some questions for you (feel free to pull out a journal!) and a few tools to try.
We each have our own unique skills and gift, so what things are you doing/bringing to the world that light you up? If you have no clue...
Pay attention to yourself. What activities make you feel good? When are you relaxed vs tense?
Make a list of what you love doing. Notice how you feel in your body as you write each thing down.
Still stuck? Do it with a friend! Have them ask you questions and notice whether you light up or not. Some example questions:
What do you want?
What are your passions/what do you love doing?
If money and time didn’t matter, what would you do?
What things make you lose track of time?
What things/feelings do you desire?
I hope you find these ideas as helpful as I did! Stick with it and don’t forget to smell the roses.