What Is My Purpose In Life? Feeling Lost in Life & critical?

As we move along the road of life, we often run up against unhelpful directions that just leave us feeling confused and lost. It can be virtually impossible to know which way to go to find our purpose when we keep running into roadblocks that expect us to go this way, that way, or just back the way we came.

From the moment we’re born, social expectations are thrust upon us about who we should be, how we should live, and what we should be doing with our lives at any given time. Life can be full of distractions as we are pulled in multiple directions – work, kids, spouses, pets, family, the list can be endless.

Often women are inundated with social expectations that they should be all things to all people, which by the way, is impossible. It’s no wonder that, in trying to keep up with these unrealistic social expectations, we’re often left feeling lost in life.

Why Do We Feel Lost In Life?

There are many reasons why we might feel lost in life. Major life changes, like moving to a new city or starting a new job, often leave us feeling confused and lost. These events tend to drop an atomic bomb into our comfort zone. We must change our long-held routines to adjust to these changes, which in turn can make us question our purpose in life. ¹

There are times when the pressure of social expectations just gets too heavy. When this happens, you might experience a disconnect between what you want to do and what the rest of the world expects you to do. That kind of pressure would leave anyone feeling lost and confused. ²

When bad things happen to us, it’s sometimes easier to bury the feelings of sadness, anger, and regret. When wellbeing coach Linda Wattier was a teenager, she made the heartbreaking decision to give her baby away for adoption.

“For decades, I tried to just ignore the disturbing aspects of my life. I became good at distracting myself with routines and habits that brought me a sense of peace, however superficial,” said Linda. ³

Suppressing her feelings finally caught up with Linda in adult life, leaving her feeling confused and lost and struggling to find her purpose in life.

Tips For Finding Yourself Again

So, what’s my purpose in life? The great thing about the answer to that question is that it’s up to you. You don’t have to be confined by social expectations of what you should be doing. Take those expectations, tear them up, and cast them to the wind.

If you’re feeling confused and lost in life, here are some things you can do to start your journey to find yourself again.

Make Time To Be Alone

Society still seems to have a problem with us spending time alone. But if you’re on a journey to find yourself again, it’s a good place to start. Life is full of loud distractions, so being by yourself gives you a chance to distance yourself from that interference, so it’s just you and your thoughts. ⁴

Focus On The Good Things

Sometimes, when we’re feeling lost in life, we focus on the negative parts of our lives. Our eyes are so focused on the bad that we overlook the good. Vlogger Leana Deeb overcame this mindset by looking at the good things around her. “You have to focus on the blessings, the simpler things in life. Even if that’s as simple as food on the table or a roof over your head,” said Leana. ⁵

Embrace Self-sovereignty

Being self-sovereign means stepping up and taking on the role of ultimate authority in your life. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, psychospiritual writer Aletheia Luna champions the concept of self-sovereignty.

“When we practice self-sovereignty, we realize that no one else is responsible for living our lives but us. We realize that no one else can dictate what we should do but us,” said Aletheia. “We realize that our lives are our creations – and what works for others doesn’t necessarily work for us.” ⁶

Acknowledge And Accept

When feelings of being lost arise, sometimes it’s easier to ignore them. But they’re still there; you’ll still feel confused and lost, and you still feel like you’ve lost your purpose. Rather than ignoring these uncomfortable emotions, why not try acknowledging them?

When you fully accept that you feel lost, you can then decide to put it right. Once you acknowledge that you want things to change, you can then make that happen. ⁷

Practice Holistic Techniques

Holistic practices like mindfulness and meditation are helpful when we feel lost. By sitting with how we feel at that precise moment, we can declutter our minds and kick out unhelpful thoughts. This process of clearing the mind may give us clarity as we discover our purpose in life. ⁸

Practicing holistic therapy is a form of self-care. Taking the time to look after all areas of your well-being – physical, mental, and spiritual – you give yourself space to renew your energy and rest. Don’t feel selfish for putting yourself first. Only by spending time on yourself can you work through feeling lost and reconnect with your purpose. ⁹

Final Thoughts

Feeling confused and lost in life can be a rough experience. Unforeseen events, unresolved emotions, and the pressure of social expectations can make us feel like we have lost our purpose.

The good news is that it’s never too late to find yourself again. Acknowledging feeling confused and lost in life is like opening a door to your own journey of self-discovery. By focusing on ourselves, our goals, and what we want (not what society wants us) to achieve, we’ll end up doing the things that make us feel fulfilled and joyful.

Ready to kick social expectations to the curb and find yourself again? What are you waiting for?

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