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 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.
Will having purpose make you happy?
Experts often say that finding purpose is essential to happiness
I believe it is slightly more complicated, and purpose does not necessarily come hand-in-hand with happiness.
Purpose with a lot of responsibility can make you unhappy.
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.
Not everyone has a big purpose, like religious leaders or other people of influence.
Your purpose may evolve as your values change.
Let me give you a personal example. I ran a company with my partner for 8 years. It was an exciting but also highly challenging and stressful journey. Making it a success was our joint purpose for many years, and even if it was stressful at first, it felt great.
After probably 6 years, we started changing as people; our values changed, and we wanted to focus on more meaningful things.
Wrong purpose can make you unhappy.
Let me share a personal example. For eight years, I ran a company with my partner. It was an exciting yet highly stressful journey, and for a long time, making it a success felt very fulfilling. But over time, we both changed. My partner had always known his true purpose, but our business wasn’t aligned with it. For me, the company was the right path—until it wasn’t. As my values changed, so did my sense of purpose.
Closing the company was difficult, but losing the identity I had built around it was the hardest part. For a while, I felt lost, unsure of what direction to take next. Eventually, I found a new purpose—one that is far more aligned with who I am today.
If you’re questioning your purpose or searching for a new one, the next part of this article will help guide you.
How to find your 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 whilst painting, writing, or developing new technology. You may love volunteering and helping the ones 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.
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.
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
