Does having a purpose in life make us happier? Many say yes, but is it truly necessary for everyone?
I have been thinking about my purpose for a long time, as I don’t have one. A post on social media where a travel influencer mentioned that they believe that thinking about purpose in life makes people miserable, as most of us don’t have one, and that the best thing for happiness is not to worry too much and enjoy every single day.
They may be right; trying to find a life purpose makes some of us unhappy.
For some, purpose comes naturally; they’ve known what they want from life since childhood. For others, including me, the purpose is not that clear and is ever-changing. Of course, we can make up our life purpose as we go along, but what if we choose the wrong one?
I want to talk about our purpose as individuals. No one can answer the question of our purpose in existence. We, humans, will never find out if we have a purpose in the universe or if we have never been intended to grow into populations of billions.
Does everyone think about their purpose in life?
If you stop to think about your purpose in life, it makes you unique, as many people go through life on autopilot, live day to day, and don’t even question why they are here. I don’t blame them; life is busy and challenging for most people. Most people worry about survival – how to feed their family and pay the bills and not even close to contemplating why they are here.
If you question your purpose, you are unique, or maybe privileged, and have more time and energy than others.
Or maybe you have reached a stage in your life where you do want to find purpose. When you are in your 20s, you enjoy the ride and don’t question your existence, but finding a purpose later in life is more challenging but also rewarding. Many people struggle with how to find purpose outside of work or how to find purpose in retirement, and I hope I can help put you on the right path.
Does having a life purpose make you happy?
Experts often say that finding purpose is essential to happiness. Multiple studies and meta-analyses show that people with a strong sense of purpose in life have higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and even lower levels of depression and anxiety, and overall well-being (1)(2).
There are always exceptions; sometimes, purpose comes with responsibility and pressure that could make you stressed and unhappy. Think of world leaders or people responsible for other humans’ lives. So, it can give you meaning, but not necessarily happiness, all the time.
Not everyone has a big life purpose, like religious leaders or other people of influence, and it is ok. The most important thing is to understand what your purpose is, even if it might feel insignificant at first.
How to find your life purpose
What Gives You Meaning?
On an individual level, purpose is deeply personal and can be found in:
- Relationships (family, love, community)
- Creativity (art, writing, innovation)
- Helping others (service, mentorship, coaching)
- Knowledge & discovery (science, philosophy, personal growth)
- Spirituality & connection (meditation, mindfulness, faith)
Look at this list and consider when you feel most fulfilled. Is it the time you spend with your kids and friends? You may love creating and lose yourself while painting, writing, or developing new technology. You may love volunteering and helping those in need. Or you feel best when you learn something about yourself or the world and love learning from books or spiritual leaders.
Do you fit in in any of these categories?
- Helping others (teachers, doctors, activists)
- Exploring knowledge (scientists, philosophers)
- Creating beauty (artists, musicians, writers)
- Raising families and supporting loved ones
- Finding inner peace and self-fulfillment
For some, purpose is about service; for others, it’s about joy, curiosity, or growth. There’s no single correct answer.
How to find purpose in retirement or outside work?
As mentioned before, our purpose changes with our values and time. You might be looking for a new purpose after you get fired, your business fails, or you retire.
How do you find your purpose?
The hardest thing is to sit with your thoughts and look at what makes you or made you happy, when you used to lose the sense of time?
You can apply the same questions: what is the most important for you? Your family, creativity, helping others, learning, faith, or maybe a few of these?
Maybe you like to help others and can create or join a volunteering group. Maybe you can rejoin the church and find a community there. Maybe you can help out with for family and look after your grandchildren. Find something that keeps a smile on your face and keeps you away from your phone. You will mostly find joy and purpose in spending less time alone and more time with other people.
What If Purpose Isn’t a Single Thing?
When we talk about purpose, we often think that it is one big thing that you dedicate all your life to, but purpose can be in multiple areas in your life- you can be a loving parent, scientist, or a surgeon who loves spirituality.
Maybe you don’t have one big purpose. Perhaps your purpose changes as you age and develop, where different things fulfill you at various times.
Instead of chasing a single “ultimate purpose,” ask yourself:
What do I enjoy doing, even if it’s not deeply meaningful?
What small moments bring me happiness?
What would I choose if purpose didn’t have to be something huge?
Maybe Purpose Is Whatever We Decide It Is
If life had one objective purpose, we wouldn’t question it. The fact that we do means we get to define it for ourselves.
Instead of asking, ‘What is the purpose of life?’ ask, ‘What purpose do I want to give my life?’ And once you find it, what’s stopping you from pursuing it?
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure, and thank you for supporting Barefoot Basil!
Books about finding purpose
If you loved this article but are still not sure about your purpose in life, I would recommend my favorite books about finding purpose:
It’s a classic book that will change your life forever.
It is a small but compelling book reminding us to find purpose in things we love.
by Paulo Coelho
This book is very close to my heart. I received it first for my 18th birthday. I have read it many times since then and have always found new meanings and messages.
Powerful book for those who are looking for purpose in retirement or later in life. It gives strategies on how to stay happy and find meaning in life, and how to ask the right questions to stay fulfilled.
I hope this article gave you a bit more clarity on how to find purpose in life. Let me know in the comments if you feel that you live a purposeful life, or if you are in search of one.
References
1.McKnight, P. E., & Kashdan, T. B. (2009). Purpose in Life as a System that Creates and Sustains Health and Well-Being: An Integrative, Testable Theory. Review of General Psychology, 13(3), 242-251. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017152 (Original work published 2009)
2. Kim ES, Chen Y, Nakamura JS, Ryff CD, VanderWeele TJ. Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach. Am J Health Promot. 2022 Jan;36(1):137-147. doi: 10.1177/08901171211038545. Epub 2021 Aug 18. PMID: 34405718; PMCID: PMC8669210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34405718/
Silvija Meilunaite, PN1-NC, CSMC, is a certified nutrition and menopause coaching specialist, and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field. She explores science-based approaches to holistic health and plant-based nutrition, with a strong focus on researching clean, non-toxic products that support long-term well-being.
