Daily life has a way of obscuring plans and dreams. Especially given the events of the past year, you may become overwhelmed with chores, tasks, and endless digital notifications. If you do get a chance to slow down, you might wonder what the purpose of all this really is. More importantly, what is your purpose and why doesn’t your life feel meaningful?
For women, sorting that out can be particularly daunting. Despite the progress that’s been made, our society still does not fully value women. You may even celebrate progress like a female vice president. Still, they may not yet translate into meaningful change in your own life.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to find purpose and live meaningfully.
But First, What is a “Purpose”?
Each of us is born onto this planet but none of us knows how long we’ll be here. This means, if we’re lucky, we try to do things that feel meaningful. However, there are so many other “things” we do that are either:
- Practical: These might include paying bills, taking care of your body, getting home repairs done, etc. For women, this also involves the lion’s share of domestic work and emotional labor.
- Meaningless: Inevitably, we find ourselves engaged in activities that are legitimate time wasters, e.g. scrolling endlessly through social media
Therefore, perhaps the idea of finding purpose involves:
- Being as efficient as possible with the practical
- Minimizing the meaningless
- Maximizing anything that feels important to you and society as a whole
With the above equation in mind, let’s explore the factors that can impact your quest for a life with meaning and passion.
Six Key Strategies to Help You Find Purpose & Live Meaningfully
1. Identify What is Holding You Back
It could be a social or cultural barrier. You might be recovering from domestic abuse or struggling with an unequal pay scale. Your personal trauma or struggles might get in your way. Naming the obstacles empowers you to navigate them.
2. Recognize Your Life is Yours
Contrary to popular belief (and popular culture), women do not exist only to be servers, nurturers, and fixers. Even the noblest and best-intentioned people in your life may view you through one lens. Remember, it’s your life. Live as you choose to live.
3. Choose Action Over Rumination
The pandemic experience may have normalized inactivity or the sense that life is on hold. Reject the idea that you can’t move forward. Finding meaning requires action. Rather than creating a personal philosophy to be lived out later, live out your values and hopes in real-time. The present is the only time you control.
4. Connect With Other Women
We hear a lot about individualism but collective action is always a better choice. Online and/or in-person, teaming up with other women is a powerful tool of discovery. Allow yourself the gift of mutual support and sisterhood.
5. Learn From Other Women
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Learn from the women who have already blazed paths, their successes leave footprints for you to follow. Find role models and mentors. Follow their lead in ways that inspires and provides special meaning for you.
6. Explore Your Interests and Passions
Be patient with yourself but use that time to explore. Women so often have opinions formed for them. Take the time you need to dig deep and discover what it is that you truly need, want, and enjoy. What are your passions and how can you uplift others in the process?
Realize Your Power As a Woman
It’s rarely easy for anyone to discover their purpose. For women, the challenges multiply. Also, there are so many possible underlying issues to consider. Why not consider the guidance of counseling for yourself? It can be a priceless path toward self-awareness.
Understanding yourself — and your power — makes it easier for you to identify your strengths and purpose. You don’t have to struggle alone or in silence. Read more about counseling for women and reach out to learn ways to benefit from professional help designed with you in mind.
