How to Find Your Purpose in Life When You Feel Lost
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I often search for my purpose in life without realizing that I probably already have one. I am a wife and a mother. I have many interests and hobbies, but I always wonder if I should be more. We sometimes move so fast in life that we feel like we are getting nowhere. I know that feeling a little too well.
I wanted to take some time and research a few ways to help you find yourself and your purpose and get out of a rut. Hopefully, I will start taking my advice more seriously than usual. I hope you find something on this list to help you find your way if you feel alone and in the dark about who you are!
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Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Aristotle
What is a life purpose?
This will obviously be different for everyone. We are all unique in how we approach finding our purpose in life; some may find their purpose more effortlessly than others. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up because self-exploration can be rewarding.
Sometimes, figuring out who you are and what you want from life takes time. We are busy sometimes just running through life, but it is a good idea to slow down and know your limits, passions, and what makes you genuinely joyful.
Why is it good to know ourselves better?
- It may help our mental & emotional health.
- It helps us learn and make sense of the world around us.
- It may help with emotional intelligence and help control feelings.
- You can look at it as an adventure or journey!
7 Ways to Find Your Purpose In Life.
Here are seven ways to “know thyself” better. Even doing just one of these can unlock things you may have never known about yourself!

Take Some Personality Tests
I cover this and similar ideas in this blog post! Personality tests are a fun way to get to know yourself. There are so many to choose from, like the famous Myers-Briggs test. Who doesn’t love a good quiz?
Here are some Personality Tests to try:
- 16Personality – This is one of my favorites. It is a NERIS-type test.
- My Personality Test – This is a TypeFinder based on Myers-Briggs.
- Truity – This is a Myers-Briggs Test.
Perform a Life Audit
This one takes time, and for good reason. You are examining your life and answering many questions about your identity and what is important to you. Though this may take a while, it is well worth the time to delve into who you are over a few weeks and maybe even reset your look at life.
Here are some articles all about the process:
- How to Do Your First Life Audit by Sunday Rainday
- A Guide to Doing a Life Audit by Ania Henderson
- 3-Step Mid-Year Life Audit by Coffee with Steph
Be Compassionate with Yourself
We often find that we are our own worst critics. We spend more time finding and lamenting our flaws and problems than celebrating that we are humans who make mistakes and are alive and breathing. This is critical to getting to know yourself with compassion, forgiving yourself about the past, and being in the moment!
Here are some ways to love yourself more:
- Remind yourself every morning what you are grateful for.
- Practice Loving Kindness Meditation.
- Help heal your inner child with a therapist.

Take a Deep Dive With Journal Prompts
Journaling is the ultimate way to express your feelings and begin to understand them. Writing and reading the words is a great way to see the inner you. There are endless questions to answer about yourself.
Here is a list of journal prompts:
- Here are 150 Deep Questions.
- 31 Deep Questions to Know Yourself.
- 10 Questions to Turn Your Life Around
Help Others Around You
Volunteering, big or small, is a beautiful way to give unconditionally to others. Serving the world around us, in turn, serves us meaningfully when we feel lost or have lost faith in the world.
Some ideas for helping others:
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen, food pantry, or shelter.
- Bake or cook for someone who is sick or having a hard time.
- Donate to your favorite cause or a charity walk.

Practice Meditation & Mindfulness
Meditation and mindfulness help you understand your thoughts and feelings without judgment. They have been around for thousands of years for a good reason, and they are a completely free way to get to know yourself anytime.
Mindfulness is simply being aware and present at the moment, while meditation is more about looking inwardly and noticing. When we are quiet, we begin to know ourselves.
Types of Mediations to Try:
- Mindfulness Meditation for keeping you grounded in the moment.
- Metta Meditation for loving-kindness.
- Visualization Meditation for boosting mood or bringing a sense of peace.
Find Contentment With Life Over Constant Happiness
We often search for the next best thing, believing we never have enough, being jealous of others’ abundance, and never realizing how much we already have in front of us. Happiness is fleeting, but contentment with life and its associated changes make it far more enjoyable.
In the quiet of contentment, we can find ourselves again.
Ways to Find Contentment:
- Practice gratefulness through a journal, out loud, or inside your mind.
- Taking a detox from social media and online shopping.
- Begin to notice and appreciate little things around you, like birds singing, crickets chirping, or watching plants grow.
Conclusion
Finding your purpose in life and improving yourself takes time. We are constantly changing by the minute. I hope these suggestions can help you define who you are and what life means to you and gain insight into what you want to become.
Life is hard but also beautiful, so get out there and discover what makes you unique!
Stay Cozy & Find You!