Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly, but so often folks live life without thinking about their purpose. We believe that thinking about your purpose and trying to identify what it might be is one of the most impactful things you can do to level up your life, career, and general level of happiness and fulfillment. Having a sense of what your why is will help you become a better decision maker which inevitably will improve your life. Below, you’ll find some interesting discussions, stories and perspectives around find your purpose.
Danielle Hibbitts
I would start by saying that my purpose is finding me? This has been a journey of life discovery and it’s meaning for me. I am still on this path of my purpose, but I see glimpses of “why” along the path. I was a teen mother who refused to become a statistic, and instead became a statistician. I learned early in life that I had to master and conquer my fears. If anyone told me no, then I had to find another way of resilience, to make it happen. I struggled with the topics because they were all very relevant in my development of self-identity, self-esteem and self-confidence. The one constant factor has been my faith in God. Read more>>
Amir Danaei
My path and goal became clear when I first watched a live performance by Joe Satriani and Jeff Beck. With confidence, I decided that I wanted to be like these two artists, creating music and performing it. Read more>>
Heather Reese
I discovered my true purpose during my divorce. At the time, I thought my life was falling apart, but in reality, it was just the beginning of a new chapter. It gave me the space and freedom to redefine myself, to become the person I always wanted to be. I took a dive into reconnecting with my Latina roots, searching for meaning and strength in my culture that I had overlooked before. Read more>>
Maribel Maignan
For many years, I struggled with a question that often keeps people up at night: What is my purpose? I tried to figure it out on my own, chasing different paths and opportunities, but nothing ever truly felt right. Deep down, I knew there was more to life, something greater that I was meant to do. Read more>>
Anagha Kolanu
“What am I doing when I feel the most alive?” is the first question I asked myself when I had to figure out my purpose in this life. There are a lot of things that make me feel alive in this world, like sunsets, flowers, and the earth in general, but what really gives me the ability to feel alive and make the world a better place is through advocacy work. As someone who is very passionate about the planet and how much beauty is found in the world, it haunts me to know that the health of the planet we live in is getting worse day by day. I’m scared that the once healthy environment I grew up in won’t be the same for my children or future generations. Read more>>
Shannon Tomasik
I’ve always been drawn to the art of dance and movement. It’s a powerful way to tell stories while showcasing incredible talent. I found my purpose in capturing dance through photography because I believe everyone deserves to be seen for their art and talent. My goal is to freeze a moment in time that highlights not only a dancer’s skill but also their growth. Since dancers often perform only on stage, I think it’s important for them to have a way to look back on their journey through a different art form. Read more>>
Daniel Joey Carr
This isn’t something that’s usually brought up because it’s so often assumed -but a lot of artists/creatives find themselves spinning in circles for years because they are trying to find their identity or purpose; that’s why I decided to tackle this question first… Read more>>
Patricia Tate
From the moment I stumbled upon astrology, my world shifted. I didn’t grow up envisioning a life where the stars and planets would guide me, but looking back, every step I took led me here. My journey to discovering my purpose has been one of deep transformation, resilience, and alignment with the universe’s plan for me. Read more>>
Alyssa Daniel
It all began when I was a couple months away from graduating cosmetology school. My friend was taking an eyelash extension class and asked if I wanted to join. At the time I wanted to take as many classes as I could to explore my options of what I can specialize in. I ended up taking the class with her and ended up loving it! Little did I know that was my stepping stone to what I have built today. I graduated a couple months later and moved out to Florida to join my husband who was in the military at the time. I spent a couple months trying to find a job as a lash tech and let me tell you that it was not easy. I was a beginner and still had so much to learn as I just graduated and moved to the area. Read more>>
Valentine Lovecraft Falcon
I have not landed on one purpose although I have suffered a great deal thinking I should have and that something was possibly wrong with me because I didn’t.
I prefer the phrase “a calling” because understanding what’s calling me forth and then taking action in said direction has created a fullfilling the purpose of the “calling”.
It’s more dynamic and mysterious, I haven’t “found” anything and landed. Read more>>
Karah M Vanhoose
I didn’t. My purpose found me. I believe we are all born with that innate thing we are supposed to be doing. However, it takes faith to blindly begin doing what you feel deeply in your soul to do. Once, you begin your journey; God will send the right like minded people to assist in the journey. Read more>>
Tetiana Denysenko
The importance of understanding your recognition and how important it is to have the opportunity to realize it, I felt most acutely when circumstances developed in such a way that for some time I was deprived of the opportunity to do what I love – to create interiors for my clients. At that moment, I realized that self-determination of your purpose and the opportunity to realize it is incredible happiness, your driving force, your inner engine, a goal that fills life with meaning and becomes the meaning of life. This is a force that not only gives the joy of development, awareness of your usefulness to others, it is a force that gives us energy and supports us in the most difficult moments of our lives. Read more>>
Shaunie Thompson
I found my purpose through my journey of transformation—by turning my pain into a source of power and my struggles into a foundation for helping others. My story begins with a childhood marked by physical, emotional, and mental abuse, poverty, poor schools, bullying, and eventually the foster care system. At one point, I felt stuck in a cycle of limiting beliefs and scarcity, believing that my circumstances defined me. Read more>>
Jason And Emily
I experienced a dark era when I woke up every day feeling empty and purposeless. What finally alleviated the pain was when I embraced that I may not have just one life purpose. Perhaps I have millions of tiny purposes. Sitting at the dinner table with Jason, as an example, my purpose is to be present with him, with the meal, and enjoy being together at the end of our day. When I am writing a new song, my purpose is to deep dive into new rhymes, lyrics, and chord progressions and explore who I am as a creative being. With this new perspective, every moment holds a mini burst of purpose- before it disappears into the next moment. Sometimes I still get lost in the bigger questions where I ask what my purpose of life might be. But the longing for it to look differently happens less and less, especially as I can see that the millions of tiny explosions of purpose I experience are forming my overall character, and I am creating the truly meaningful life I want to live. Read more>>
Khalil Warner
Finding my purpose is often a journey of uncertainty, curiosity, and exploration. For me, discovering my purpose was like piecing together a puzzle. Each experience, whether a success or a challenge, became a critical piece that helped form a bigger picture of who I am today. Here’s my story: Growing up, I was always fascinated by how things worked. I loved taking things to break them down beyond surface level and putting them back together to see if I could improve them. This curiosity led me to dive deep into the world of technology and eventually pursue a career in tech. I started coding in high school, which became a way to express my creativity. Every new programming language I learned felt like acquiring a new superpower, allowing me to bring ideas to life. Read more>>
Tyler Kidd
What is my purpose? That’s the million dollar question that sits at the base of everyone’s human experience. What do I do with my life? What career or life choices will make me feel fulfilled in a very noisy world? I remember growing up my entire life (until the age of 22) having no answers. I didn’t have a 5 year plan, let alone a 1 year plan. I had no idea what I wanted to go to college for, and dropped out a mere 3 months into Freshmen Year. I was in a deep depression of always feeling used and not good enough. I remember just how badly I hated not only myself, but my heart and mind. I was mean, I didn’t hold friendships or relationships with my family well. The list can go on about the way I viewed and moved through life with a dark cloud over my head… Read more>>
Michiko Yoshifuji
I feel that I finally found my purpose: To help as many people as possible through ancient healing power deeply rooted in my culture, ancestry, and universal spirit. There was a dark period of my life – a messy divorce, being an immigrant single mother raising two rebellious adolescents, losing my parents, facing financial pressure, battling physical illness, and enduring mental breakdown. Fear, sadness, anxiety, and depression consumed me. Read more>>
Jessica Lipinsky
I’ve always been passionate about being creative and I knew I wanted to write stories, but I was always more focused on securing a more stable 9-to-5. It wasn’t until I worked at my college’s career development center helping other students apply for jobs that I realized how many other creatives were doing the same thing. That same year I went to the Small Press Expo in Bethesda and was able to meet a lot of artists who inspired me, and all of them said how necessary it was for them to take a leap of faith, and how independent publishing was able to support them while they established themselves. That experience made me realize how a lot of people feel like they can’t take that leap without support. Publishing with creatives I believe in allows me to act as that support and fills my life with purpose. Read more>>
Owen Hunt
I found my purpose through trial and error. It was something that was gnawing at me at a deep level and when I started to question what it might be, I felt like I needed to figure out in a quick hurry. I was in a place where I didn’t know what I wanted to do or who I was right around age 30 and I felt like I wasn’t coming close to meeting my potential. Read more>>
Chen Chen
I believe that finding one’s purpose is a lifelong journey. However, if you’re fortunate, you may discover an area of interest early on—something that sparks curiosity and makes you want to dig deeper. With even greater luck, you might find yourself possessing a natural talent in that field, allowing you to excel and derive a sense of accomplishment from your work. This creates a positive cycle where passion fuels success, and success reinforces passion. Read more>>
Rachel Carrera
I was raised by grandparents who grew up during the Great Depression and who were stationed all over the globe during World War II. A few years before my birth, they lost their teenage daughter named Dawn to a hole in her heart. I always felt like I was a changeling, in a way, meant to replace the daughter they’d lost and help fill the void that her passing left. Read more>>
Janel Swanson
Many people struggle to identify their purpose in life, and for me, it has been a lifelong journey. I believed my purpose would emerge through a college degree, but after earning a business degree and landing a corporate job, I felt unfulfilled and yearning for more. Determined to find a more meaningful path, I returned to school to pursue teaching. After teaching elementary school for a few years, I felt that I had finally found my calling. I loved teaching, but the birth of my second child shifted my priorities. I decided to pause my career and focus on raising my children. Years later, after my youngest started kindergarten, I felt ready to re-enter the workforce. However, returning to teaching posed challenges, as the field had evolved significantly with new technologies and methodologies that made returning a daunting prospect. Read more>>
Chris Riehl
Although I grew up just outside of the city line, I was raised in Baltimore. So much of my childhood was spent there. My parents seemingly never missed an opportunity to bring my sister and me downtown for concerts, events, ballgames, parades, or just dinner, so from a very early age I felt a strong connection to the city. On some level, I think I always knew my career would have that same connection. I wasn’t sure exactly how, but I knew in some way, shape, or form, I’d be working for Baltimore. Read more>>
Jazzmin Pitts
Finding my purpose has been a journey of uncovering truths about myself that I didn’t even realize were buried. For years, I struggled with understanding why I kept people at arm’s length or why certain relationships felt harder than they should. It wasn’t until I discovered attachment theory that I began to connect the dots. Learning how my childhood experiences shaped my ability to trust, love, and connect was life-changing—it was like finally finding the missing piece to a puzzle I had been trying to solve my whole life. This understanding gave me a new lens to view my own healing. It sparked something in me, a desire to help other women uncover those same truths and break free from the cycles holding them back. I realized that my pain had a purpose, and now, helping other women heal is how I honor that journey. Read more>>
Shauna Rae Marr
Growing up, I had a lot of questions about how life works. I thought I would find the answers I was looking for in science. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Degree in Immunology. While I was in my Master’s program, my aunt came to me looking for help with her cancer diagnosis. I was dismayed that I was ablet to help but she had some success with tumor reduction using natural healing modalities. I was intrigued by her success. It inspired me to look into natural healing modalities on my own and I found transformational life coaching and Body Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson. I now combine both modalities to support my clients. Read more>>
19 Miles Per Hour
One of the main ways that we found purpose was in making music about our personal struggles with mental health and our own life experiences so that others experiencing similar things might be able to relate and feel a little less alone. There is no better feeling than knowing you are doing a little good in a world that so desperately needs it. Bringing people together through music and creating a safe space where everyone feels comfortable being themselves is how we find purpose. Read more>>
Eric Sheinkop
I found my purpose in a way that’s actually simpler than people might think. It’s something that became clear through moments in my life, but in many ways, I knew it all along without realizing it. For me, finding my purpose comes down to recognizing what I do that brings an intense, almost physical energy—a joy that lights up my spirit. It’s not always about happiness; it’s about feeling a powerful energy, the kind that hits you like a few shots of espresso, no matter how tired you are. My purpose, as I know it now, is to elevate artists by creating a platform for them to share their art and make a living from it. I first felt this at age seven, when I’d just started taking bass guitar lessons. One day, a friend of mine came over—he was older and had been playing bass longer. Read more>>
Natalie Delancey
For as long as I can remember, I have always been focused on ways to make my community a better place for all. Growing up in theatre, the idea of bringing an audience together to experience joy, laughter and maybe even be moved to tears was always what kept me wanting to be in the arts. Throughout my life, I have been heavily influenced by my Grandmother who was a Cobb County Commissioner and constantly looking for ways to serve. I witnessed firsthand the joy that she received from giving back to the community and it has become the driving force behind my career. During my time at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre as the Director of Arts Education & Community Outreach for the ArtsBridge Foundation, I was able to influence the next generation of audience members, performers and arts supporters, which was exceptionally fulfilling. Read more>>
Alyx Braunius
My purpose emerged through a journey of exploration, growth, and connection. It was not a single moment of clarity but a series of experiences that drew me closer to what truly matters. Traveling, immersing myself in diverse cultures, and practicing yoga opened me to the wisdom of aligning body, mind, and spirit. One of the most transformative experiences was traveling to Koh Phangan Island in Thailand, where I completed my yoga teacher training. Immersing myself in age-old traditions and the spiritual depth of yoga revealed a new layer of connection to myself and the world. Read more>>
Danny Griffin
I asked myself, “What brings meaning to my life?” What are the things that I do, the books that I read, and the things that I think that make me feel fulfilled. It is much more than a feeling. It is being near the people who can give richness to ideas, who can spur me to be something more than I am, I must also be able to bring a quality to their lives. Read more>>
Nicholas Whitaker
I’ve come to realize that purpose isn’t something you find, it’s something you build. It’s not a treasure buried somewhere, waiting to be discovered. Instead, it’s a process of doing aligned work, making intentional choices, and living in a way that reflects your values. Read more>>
Chanel Aleta Da Rocha
Finding my purpose has been a journey shaped by dreams, detours, and the lessons I’ve gathered along the way. As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming a professor and even opening my own school. I’ve always had a deep love for education and community, and I imagined creating spaces where learning and connection could thrive. Read more>>
Jahny Wallz
I moved a lot as a kid and grew up way too quick. My mother raised five boys on her own and taught us to be good men but society enticed us to be rebellious. Even though I hit a few bumps in the road growing up, I found a good route in education and music to help me in the situation I was in. It was important for me to learn my Mexican-American history and to be able to properly express my feelings. At around sixteen I left the house and started preparing to go off to college. I was also starting to play drums and guitar at the same time. I was slowly realizing that music would intrigue me very much and it made me feel happy. It took me a while to choose a major at the University but I chose recording and music industry. I felt inspired by the art of music and the work from music artists of the past. Read more>>
Lucas Castro
Growing up in Brazil, I discovered my passion for dance through Disney Movies, where the magic of movement first captivated me. But pursuing that passion wasn’t easy. In my culture, there’s a stigma around boys doing ballet, and when I expressed my dream of dancing, I faced lots of bullying and criticism. It was heartbreaking to hear hurtful words from people who were so close to me and didn’t understand why this art form meant so much to me. Read more>>
Aaron Lohman
I thought I found my purpose several times throughout my life. I went to college for film which I thought was my purpose, it wasn’t and it caused me to bounce around to several colleges trying different things but eventually landing me back home, unmotivated, uninspired with a low paying manual labor job and no degree. Read more>>
Christine Estrada
I don’t think I had a moment where I “found my purpose” I think each step and decision, each mis- step, detour and fall in my life has allowed me to develop my purpose. I think we often seek the path of comfort to find our purpose. The Wizard of OZ type yellow brick road experience, but the pretty parts, not the scary or dark parts. The road less taken. The reality is that all of the experiences of both the pretty and hard are necessary. When I was a little girl I knew two things I wanted to be a mom and I had a sensitive heart for people. Years later when we found out we couldn’t get pregnant it was beyond a struggle. Read more>>
S. Devon Jorden
My purpose, to share Waiting Room the Seanton Jorden Story with the world, was found through the tragic incident that occurred on June 11, 2010, when my son, who was 15 at the time, suffered a traumatic brain injury from a pellet gunshot to the head. From this point on my purpose was birthed. Though it didn’t come immediately, in time, I wanted the world to know that triumph over tragedy was possible, and from this triumph came the purpose of helping others overcome tragic situations. Read more>>
Sunni Markowitz
I was one of the lucky ones that found their purpose early. From the age of 10, I knew I wanted to be in education, I just did not know in what capacity. I took a lot of twists and turns to end up where I am today, coaching individuals to live their best lives and be the best, most authentic version of themselves. This began while attending an all girls summer camp in Texas. It was were I grew to be my most authentic self, with confidence and determination. It also planted a dream to someday run a girls summer camp myself. AND I did! Previous to getting achieving my dream, I was an early education teacher, a research assistant, a mother, a Girl Scout Leader, a school board member, a special needs advocate and finally the founder of a camp for girls with the mission of empowering girls and young women. Read more>>
Sophia O’connor
Becoming a therapist was not just a career choice for me—it was a calling shaped by my life experiences and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of others. As a rebellious teen, I was sent to a lot of therapy myself and experienced firsthand the power of therapy. I have always had a fascination with understanding human emotions and behaviors, but it truly gained meaning through overcoming my own personal struggles and dark night of the soul chapters of my life. The truth is that going through hardship and being willing to feel your feelings grows you. I noticed that with every conversation I had with a loving friend, family member or therapist, my whole being felt lighter and more robust. Read more>>
Ruti Wajnberg
My path has been a winding one, blending my love for creativity, problem-solving, and precision. My journey began in tech and software development, where I thrived on building systems, debugging complex problems, and working with precision to create functional, beautiful outcomes. I liked my job, but I craved working with my hands and creating something tangible. Read more>>
Damia Miller-shanklin
I found my purpose by accident. I admired two Austin community newspapers, The Villager owned by Mr. Tommy Wyatt and the Nokoa news paper owned Mr. Akwasi Evans, who has since passed on. I knew I wanted to do more than just be a caseworker. I loved writing and I have journal since I was a young girl. But I did not know how to make writing my true passion.
I reached out to Mr. Evans and interviewed with him about writing for his newspaper. He took me on and taught me how to be a writer and tell the stories of people in the community. When I saw my article on the front page,..my purpose became clear to me and I went for it. I wrote for Nokoa and learned a great deal until I decided I wanted to create a community magazine featuring the black community. Ujima Magazine became the way I would tell stories of our “everyday heroes”. Read more>>
Sarah Stevens
It was Spring of 2019. March 27th to be exact, around 2:30 in the afternoon. I’d been tapped as the last presentation before intermission for the TEDx Conference being held in my hometown, and I had decided to leave it all on that stage, including the dress that had been covering my body during my 14 minutes in the spotlight. Read more>>
Jenna Morcos
I believe our purpose in life has seasons. Growing up, I always dreamed of being a mom. From the age of five until sixteen, my family cared for foster babies, and it wasn’t unusual to see family photos of my brothers and me holding different babies. I have vivid memories of sharing my bedroom with a crib and sitting beside my mom during middle-of-the-night feedings. When I had children of my own, I stepped into the role of motherhood feeling both prepared and deeply fulfilled. Though the days were exhausting, it was the kind of tired that comes with joy and purpose—a good tired. Read more>>
Spenser Hunt
In a lot of ways, the 31-year-old version of myself is who the 12-year-old version of myself would have wanted to be. There are plenty of things the current version of myself hasn’t accomplished or that look differently than my younger version would’ve thought of course, but if someone would’ve told me at that age that I would be making a living hosting game shows, running trivia nights and spending my weekends working in professional wrestling, I think I would’ve been thrilled about what the future would have in store for me. Read more>>
Chey Quigley
I have always known I wanted to help others in my community. For years, I thought that would be through preventative healthcare, which I was very passionate about, until having a chance conversation with my realtor. She informed me that she had a passion for Jesus and healthy living, and she was able to share both of her passions through her job as a realtor without her career necessarily being tied to either of those callings. I slowly began to realize that I would be able to help our community prevent unnecessary chemical exposure and potential disease by providing non-toxic cleaning to our neighbors. Read more>>
Lexia Perea
Everyone has a purpose. It’s theorized that some are simply born knowing, while others prophesies only a special group of individuals are divinely led. Playing devils advocate, I’d say these are the tales of souls yearning for a solution that’s clear. “If it was a snake it woulda bite you”, my mom would tell me when said “answer” was so obvious. The truth is people are afraid to ask themselves the real question(s) as to who they are. Read more>>
Brianna Bergantim
My journey to finding my purpose began during the years I worked in long-term care. While I loved helping people, I was constantly witnessing the heartbreaking consequences of a lack of planning. I saw firsthand how the absence of proper estate and healthcare documents tore families apart and left vulnerable individuals without the protection they needed. Read more>>
Shaun Provost
I didn’t originally set out to be a coach, let alone build a brand like Live Unbreakable. For years, I was stuck in a corporate job that looked great on paper (and in my bank account) but left me feeling drained and unfulfilled. My escape? A kickboxing class that lit me up inside. That’s where I met a personal trainer who planted a seed I didn’t even realize was there. “You’d make an amazing coach,” she said. At first, I laughed. Me? A coach? Read more>>
Prarthna Vas
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” — T.D. Jakes Finding my purpose was a natural evolution. It wasn’t about discovering something entirely new but about uncovering what had always been within me—my passion for storytelling. At every stage of my life, I’ve been a storyteller, whether crafting narratives for global brands, advocating for sustainability, or now, bringing life to an interior space through art direction and styling. Purpose, for me, is about aligning my work with what excites and fulfills me, creating spaces that hold deeper meaning and connection. Read more>>
Emilio Gomez
I’ve always found it difficult to make sense of the world. Multitudinous lapses in memory have sustained me through a difficult upbringing, a difficult divorce, a difficult life. As a child, dissociation unconsciously protected me from fully feeling the violent, chaotic environment in which I was raised; today, when my wife and I have our most passionate fights, I struggle to recall the specifics. For me, memory and pain are inseparable, and forgetting affords me the peace that I seek. Read more>>
James Metts
I had a question that I thought about fleetingly for years. The question was: What would a kid from another planet think about how we live? One evening when I got home a party, I decided that I would no longer put off writing down the answer to that question. I thought my question would be much simpler than it turned out. That question took a little more than seven years to answer on a grand total of one hundred six pages. It was during the process of writing down my answer though that I learned what my purpose was. My purpose is to make students aware of a seven letter word that proves how landscapes on Earth were transformed to what we see today. Once they become aware of that seven letter word they will be able to transform their ideas in to reality with confidence. Read more>>
