Have You Found Your Life's Purpose Yet?
Follow this guide to a more fulfilling life, and contentment is sure to follow
Joanna Tovia
4 March 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Defining your purpose in life needn’t be an overwhelming task, or one that leaves you feeling like you haven’t achieved enough. Take some time to think about what makes you feel fulfilled, and guess what? You’ve just uncovered the meaning of life. Or the meaning of your life anyway.
Material success is unlikely to be on your ‘most meaningful’ list, but spending quality time with family and friends probably is. And when it comes to figuring out what you really love, be sure to throw out the rule book. For some people, digging their hands into the earth to plant a seedling brings unbridled joy; for others, immersing themselves in work is deeply pleasurable.
This guide will help you uncover your true purpose, while also telling you how your home can support what matters most to you.
Material success is unlikely to be on your ‘most meaningful’ list, but spending quality time with family and friends probably is. And when it comes to figuring out what you really love, be sure to throw out the rule book. For some people, digging their hands into the earth to plant a seedling brings unbridled joy; for others, immersing themselves in work is deeply pleasurable.
This guide will help you uncover your true purpose, while also telling you how your home can support what matters most to you.
Write it down
If you try to store all those great ideas and motivating thoughts in your head, many of them are sure to be forgotten. Especially if you’re busy and your mind is already chock full of to-do lists to keep your days on track. Keep a notepad handy to jot down your thoughts or sketches – you’ll soon see a theme emerging about what’s important to you and where you’re headed. Remember: what you think about, you bring about, and when you take those thoughts a step further and write them down, you’ll gain real clarity about where it is you want to head.
TIP: A chalkboard wall in your kitchen is the perfect place to let your ideas run wild. Or create a mood board for inspiring photos, quotes and treasured finds to keep your dreams alive.
If you try to store all those great ideas and motivating thoughts in your head, many of them are sure to be forgotten. Especially if you’re busy and your mind is already chock full of to-do lists to keep your days on track. Keep a notepad handy to jot down your thoughts or sketches – you’ll soon see a theme emerging about what’s important to you and where you’re headed. Remember: what you think about, you bring about, and when you take those thoughts a step further and write them down, you’ll gain real clarity about where it is you want to head.
TIP: A chalkboard wall in your kitchen is the perfect place to let your ideas run wild. Or create a mood board for inspiring photos, quotes and treasured finds to keep your dreams alive.
Get real about your social life
For many people, connecting with those they hold dear is what gives their lives true meaning. But where you sit on the introvert-extrovert scale will determine how much socialising is best for you. Too much talk leaves introverts drained, while not enough interaction has extroverts yearning for more. Get real about your needs, and those of your partner, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between connection and the me-time you need.
TIP: Not spending enough time socialising to feel fulfilled? Get proactive and ask people over more often instead of waiting for an invite yourself. Plan get-togethers a couple of months ahead to give friends plenty of notice. If time is not on your side, keep gatherings casual by asking everyone to bring a dish, or by keeping the menu simple. It’s you people are coming over to see, not what’s for dinner.
Feel-good fixes for outdoor entertaining
For many people, connecting with those they hold dear is what gives their lives true meaning. But where you sit on the introvert-extrovert scale will determine how much socialising is best for you. Too much talk leaves introverts drained, while not enough interaction has extroverts yearning for more. Get real about your needs, and those of your partner, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between connection and the me-time you need.
TIP: Not spending enough time socialising to feel fulfilled? Get proactive and ask people over more often instead of waiting for an invite yourself. Plan get-togethers a couple of months ahead to give friends plenty of notice. If time is not on your side, keep gatherings casual by asking everyone to bring a dish, or by keeping the menu simple. It’s you people are coming over to see, not what’s for dinner.
Feel-good fixes for outdoor entertaining
Spend your time consciously
It can be too easy to find the weeks slipping by without really achieving anything, except going to work and coming home and doing it all over again the next day. Do you really want to spend every evening zoning out in front of the TV, or would you rather be doing something more productive? Even 10 minutes a day spent mastering a new skill can lead to fast progress. Make conscious decisions about how you want to spend your time, rather than mindlessly slipping into well-worn habits.
TIP: If TV is too tempting for your tired, after-work self to ignore, find a way to hide it away. Out of sight it often out of mind.
Mindful living made easy
It can be too easy to find the weeks slipping by without really achieving anything, except going to work and coming home and doing it all over again the next day. Do you really want to spend every evening zoning out in front of the TV, or would you rather be doing something more productive? Even 10 minutes a day spent mastering a new skill can lead to fast progress. Make conscious decisions about how you want to spend your time, rather than mindlessly slipping into well-worn habits.
TIP: If TV is too tempting for your tired, after-work self to ignore, find a way to hide it away. Out of sight it often out of mind.
Mindful living made easy
Create time for rest and reflection
Making the most out of life is one thing, but if you don’t pause to refuel, your body will let you know it needs a rest by getting sick or making you feel rundown. Make your bedroom as restful as you can with soothing colours, comforting textures, and sumptuous soft furnishings. Setting the scene for sleep and relaxation is essential if you don’t want to go through life on auto-pilot.
TIP: Journaling or meditating before bed will help you switch off, as well as get in tune with where you’re at and what really matters.
Making the most out of life is one thing, but if you don’t pause to refuel, your body will let you know it needs a rest by getting sick or making you feel rundown. Make your bedroom as restful as you can with soothing colours, comforting textures, and sumptuous soft furnishings. Setting the scene for sleep and relaxation is essential if you don’t want to go through life on auto-pilot.
TIP: Journaling or meditating before bed will help you switch off, as well as get in tune with where you’re at and what really matters.
Maintain perspective
Ever found yourself yearning for something more? Being grateful for what you already have really is the secret to that sense of contentment we’re all looking for. And it’s as simple as looking around your home now and then and acknowledging what you love about it.
Once you’ve done that, take stock of your life and thank your lucky stars for all the great things in it. Your health, your loved ones, your pets or your paycheque are just some of the things you might have forgotten to be grateful for. If you’re struggling with this, think about all the people less fortunate than you who’d love to have your life.
Ever found yourself yearning for something more? Being grateful for what you already have really is the secret to that sense of contentment we’re all looking for. And it’s as simple as looking around your home now and then and acknowledging what you love about it.
Once you’ve done that, take stock of your life and thank your lucky stars for all the great things in it. Your health, your loved ones, your pets or your paycheque are just some of the things you might have forgotten to be grateful for. If you’re struggling with this, think about all the people less fortunate than you who’d love to have your life.
Find meaningful work
Is your work total drudgery, or do you relish the challenge each day brings? It’s easy to fall into a habit of complaining about your job, but that does your sense of wellbeing no favours. If you really do hate your job, take concrete steps today to change it. If you don’t love your job but it pays well, shift your focus to appreciate what that job allows you to do and have. Life’s too short to waste on negativity.
TIP: If you dream of doing something more creative, starting your own business or writing your memoir to hand down to your children, make it happen by replacing some of the time you’d usually spend scrolling through Facebook or in front of the TV and get busy in your home office. Don’t have an office to work in at home? Just about everyone can find a nook in which to create one.
How to squeeze in a home office
Is your work total drudgery, or do you relish the challenge each day brings? It’s easy to fall into a habit of complaining about your job, but that does your sense of wellbeing no favours. If you really do hate your job, take concrete steps today to change it. If you don’t love your job but it pays well, shift your focus to appreciate what that job allows you to do and have. Life’s too short to waste on negativity.
TIP: If you dream of doing something more creative, starting your own business or writing your memoir to hand down to your children, make it happen by replacing some of the time you’d usually spend scrolling through Facebook or in front of the TV and get busy in your home office. Don’t have an office to work in at home? Just about everyone can find a nook in which to create one.
How to squeeze in a home office
Help your home be nourishing
If your kitchen pantry is filled with processed foods and your fridge is a bit the same, you’re not giving yourself the chance for fog-free thinking and optimum energy levels. Grow some fruit and vegetables yourself to make sure you always have healthy food on hand, or set up a no-think delivery schedule.
The ingredients and recipes for healthy meals can be delivered to your door through companies such as Hello Fresh, or do a meal plan each Sunday night and order your groceries online. The trick is taking the daily decision making out of it and making healthy eating just something you do.
If your kitchen pantry is filled with processed foods and your fridge is a bit the same, you’re not giving yourself the chance for fog-free thinking and optimum energy levels. Grow some fruit and vegetables yourself to make sure you always have healthy food on hand, or set up a no-think delivery schedule.
The ingredients and recipes for healthy meals can be delivered to your door through companies such as Hello Fresh, or do a meal plan each Sunday night and order your groceries online. The trick is taking the daily decision making out of it and making healthy eating just something you do.
Indulge in your passions
If you’re still searching for your true purpose in life and wishing you had a passion, chances are it’s right underneath your nose. Think for a minute about what you really love doing, or what you do without a sense of obligation. For some it might be baking goodies for your children’s after-school snack, or losing yourself in great works of literature. For others, it might be the challenge of learning another language, or making a musical instrument sing. Still others might find themselves smiling at the thought of volunteering their time to help someone who needs a hand. Anything goes!
Take away expectations of fame and fortune and you might just find that you’re already doing some of the things you love – it’s the things you love that give your life joy and purpose. Now, you just need to make time to do more of it!
TELL US
Have you found the meaning of your life? Inspire us by sharing your revelations in the Comments section below.
MORE
Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
Give Yourself More Free Time With the Help of Habits
Fun Activities to Do With Your Family This (and Every Other) Week
If you’re still searching for your true purpose in life and wishing you had a passion, chances are it’s right underneath your nose. Think for a minute about what you really love doing, or what you do without a sense of obligation. For some it might be baking goodies for your children’s after-school snack, or losing yourself in great works of literature. For others, it might be the challenge of learning another language, or making a musical instrument sing. Still others might find themselves smiling at the thought of volunteering their time to help someone who needs a hand. Anything goes!
Take away expectations of fame and fortune and you might just find that you’re already doing some of the things you love – it’s the things you love that give your life joy and purpose. Now, you just need to make time to do more of it!
TELL US
Have you found the meaning of your life? Inspire us by sharing your revelations in the Comments section below.
MORE
Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
Give Yourself More Free Time With the Help of Habits
Fun Activities to Do With Your Family This (and Every Other) Week
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My mother loved to quote 'all shall be well and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well' by Julian of Norwich, as a child I didn't really understand what it meant but I found it very soothing. Now I use it as a mantra when I am stressed and it helps me to put things into perspective because everything passes. For me the most meaningful things in life are to love and be loved, try to be creative in whatever I do and never become indifferent to the suffering of others or injustice (which tends to help you appreciate what you have :)
Great post it's easy to find yourself rushing through days and weeks without stopping to appreciate and take stock of family, friends, goals and achievements. My mum always used to say if you are ever feeling down count your blessings, that always seems to help.
I've found that doing things for others never ceases to bring satisfaction