Discussion Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life When Feeling Lost and Directionless

[ShinigamiApples]

I've been feeling lost and directionless lately. How do you go about finding purpose and meaning in life, especially when things feel uncertain?

 

[endless_pain]

For me it helps understanding which values I have and how I can work to respect them although it is needed discipline

 

[SoftWorries]

For me very recently I've found the desire to want to write. Before I was a lurker in everything but now I want to communicate in some way.

I feel like finding what it is that I want to communicate is my purpose now.

 

[charlotte_]

I would say you find it in something you love most in life, but since you're feeling lost it's probably not an answer. In these time, I tend to find it in what's keeping me from unaliving myself. I believe there must be a reason why people live or die. It could be for loved ones, for your dreams ect, or sometimes, your reason to survive is just simple as lack of courage. If that's the case, then you must learn to step out of your comfort zone and become braver and bolder. You must show others that you can overcome probably the most common fear. I don't know how to explain how these are connected to each other, but I hope you get the point. Wishing the best for you :)

 

[Spike Spiegel]

I think I understand what you mean. I feel like I don't have a purpose right now either. I tell myself that my purpose is helping kids through teaching, however I am still a year or so away from that goal, and in the mean time nothing feels fulfilling. I have had some moderate success with meditating, just searching my mind or even clearing my mind trying to find answers. I try really hard to smile at small things, a wild flower I see growing, preparing a meal I know that I like. These work to a varying degree but they just help me enjoy the day to day a little more. I would not say that it has given me a purpose. Still searching for my purpose or something I want to succeed in.

 

[Mndcntrl]

It might be not the best advice and I still have no direction, but get a cat was a thing that gave me a reason to stand up. I need to fed them, clean the toiletts, play whit them, give them love etc... It doenst matter how badly i want to stay in bed, I need too stay up for them and its a extrem good reason too do. They need you. Someone needs your aid and wants your love!

 

[Celerity]

I have decided to pursue a career that helps people. On the fence about having a kid. I think the latter is how most people get their life's meaning for better or for worse.

My job requires me to work with the public. Lately, I have noticed a lot of the young families with little kids. Some of those kids are so damn cute that it makes me want my own for the first time in many years. After turning 30, the ticking of my biological clock has become unbearably loud. That said, I would hate to screw up parenting, and I fear that I wouldn't be a good parent. I lack a lot of the personal qualities - particularly patience and warmth - that I think would make a good parent.

 

[Whiston72]

It is so difficult. Having a daughter helped six years ago because they are so needy for the first few years but now she is living with her mother and not in any need of me whatsoever seemingly. I am not sure there is an answer unless you can think back to a time when you had a purpose and can reconnect with that.

 

[ForgottenAgain]

I'm struggling with this too, seems like we made a similar post at a similar time as I also created mine about this topic.

I used to be very career focused but once I achieved what I wanted I started to feel empty. I achieved all my goals and they don't fulfil me as much as I thought they would. I wish I had an answer for both of us, I want to find a purpose...