🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 157 (from laksa070)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa157.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689","crawl_time":1776514261,"first_indexed_time":1525979149,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,verywellmind!www,\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689 s443","src_root_hash":"10064058272378209957","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life","meta_descriptions":["Living a life with purpose isn't just a cliche. Studies show it has real benefits for you. Here are seven things you can do to find your purpose in life."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Key Takeaways\nVolunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose.\nListening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are.\nDoes it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and\npurpose\n—while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A *lot* of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in \"The New York Times,\" only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't.\nFinding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life.\nVolunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you *find,* it's something you create.\nWhy Do You Need a Sense of Purpose?\nResearch has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer.\nOther researchers found that\nwell-being\nmight be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period.\nThere’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to\npositive health outcomes\nsuch as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of\ndementia\nand disabilities.\nA 2016 study published in the\nJournal of Research and Personality\nfound that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their\nwork lacks meaning\n.\nSo the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn.\nWith all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience.\nThe process requires plenty of\nself-reflection\n, listening to others, and\nfinding where your passions lie.\nThese seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life. \nDonate Time, Money, or Talent\nHero Images \/ Getty Images\nIf you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others.\nResearchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did.\nAltruistic behaviors\ncould include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis.\nWhether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning.\nListen to Feedback\nSometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are.\nFortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it.\nYou might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns.\nWhether people think of you as \"a great entertainer\" or they say \"you have a passion for helping the elderly,\" hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in.\nSurround Yourself With Positive People\nAs the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around?\nDon't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions.\nThe people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration.\nOn the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions.\nStart Conversations With New People\nIt's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you.\nAsk them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause.\nEven though\nstriking up conversations with strangers\nmay feel\nawkward\ninitially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed. \nYou might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose.\nExplore Your Interests\nIs there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees? \nAre there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing?\nConsider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered?\nThe things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life.\nConsider Injustices That Bother You\nMany people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core?\nIt might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help.\nYou don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in.\nDiscover What You Love to Do\nOn the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well.\nDo you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts. \nIs analyzing data something that you actually find\nfun?\nAny number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset.\nConsider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you. \nHow Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose?\nFinding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a\nlifelong journey\n, and you must do it only one step at a time.\nBut how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people.\nPerhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it.\nMaybe you've found your meaning in religion.\nOr you sense a strong connection with others.\nMaybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering.\nYou also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives. \nUltimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#skip-to-content)\n\nMenu\n\n- [Conditions A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n  - [Addiction](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/addiction-overview-4581803)\n  - [Depression](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/depression-4157261)\n  - [ADHD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/adhd-overview-4581801)\n  - [Anxiety](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/anxiety-7508391)\n  - [Bipolar Disorder](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/bipolar-disorder-4157274)\n  - [PTSD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/ptsd-4157229)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n- [Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-4581775)\n  - [Therapy Center](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-7092217)\n  - 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[Healthy Relationships](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/strengthening-relationships-4162997)\n  - [Dating](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/dating-tips-and-strategies-7511571)\n  - [Intimacy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/sex-and-relationships-7511610)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/relationships-4157190)\n- [Psychology](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychology-4157187)\n  - [Theories](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/theories-of-psychology-4157184)\n  - [Student Resources](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/student-resources-overview-4581768)\n  - [Personality Types](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychology-4157187)\n- [Trending](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/news-latest-research-and-trending-topics-4846421)\n  - [Quizzes](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/quizzes-8609222)\n  - [Guided Meditations](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/guided-meditations-8609227)\n  - [Verywell Mind Insights](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/mental-health-data-insights-5185693)\n  - [2024 Verywell Mind 25](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-verywell-mind-25-2024-7484480)\n  - [Mental Health in the Classroom](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/mental-health-in-the-classroom-survey-7569880)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/news-latest-research-and-trending-topics-4846421)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/about-us-5184564)\n- [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n- [Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n- [Crisis Support](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/crisis-support-6666353)\n\nVerywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\n# 7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life\n...and why having one is so good for your well-being 💛\n\nBy\n\n[Amy Morin, LCSW](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/amy-morin-4842552)\n\n![Amy Morin]()\n\n![Amy Morin](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/6w-MU4IiNC6Ybaigog3YKa3jl0w=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/VW-MIND-Amy-2b338105f1ee493f94d7e333e410fa76.jpg)\n\n[Amy Morin, LCSW](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/amy-morin-4842552)\n\nAmy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including \"13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do,\" have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, \"The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,\" is one of the most viewed talks of all time.\n\nLearn about our  [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n\nUpdated on November 04, 2025\n\nReviewed\n\nVerywell Mind articles are reviewed by mental health professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. [Learn more](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494).\n\nby\n\n[Carly Snyder, MD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/carly-snyder-md-4779180)\n\n![Carly]()\n\n![Carly](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/fAj0X5DtD4F-F4lAvzUg_fKzdY0=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/carly-935717a415724b9b9c849c26fd0450ea.jpg)\n\nReviewed by [Carly Snyder, MD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/carly-snyder-md-4779180)\n\nCarly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.\n\nLearn about our  [Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n\nTable of Contents\n\nView All\n\nTable of Contents\n\n- [Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-why-do-you-need-a-sense-of-purpose)\n- [Donate Time, Money, or Talent](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-donate-time-money-or-talent)\n- [Listen to Feedback](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-listen-to-feedback)\n- [Surround Yourself With Positive People](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-surround-yourself-with-positive-people)\n- [Start Conversations With New People](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-start-conversations-with-new-people)\n- [Explore Your Interests](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-explore-your-interests)\n- [Consider Injustices That Bother You](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-consider-injustices-that-bother-you)\n- [Discover What You Love to Do](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-discover-what-you-love-to-do)\n- [How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-how-do-you-know-youve-found-your-purpose)\n\nClose\n\n### Key Takeaways\n- Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose.\n- Listening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are.\n\nDoes it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and *purpose*—while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A \\*lot\\* of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in \"The New York Times,\" only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't.\n\nFinding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life.\n\nVolunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you \\*find,\\* it's something you create.\n\n['I Don't Know What to Do With My Life': How to Navigate This Feeling](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/i-don-t-know-what-to-do-with-my-life-how-to-navigate-this-feeling-5271628)\n\n## Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose?\nResearch has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that [well-being](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-subjective-well-being-5221255) might be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period.\n\nThere’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to [positive health outcomes](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/links-between-happiness-and-stress-relief-3144629) such as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of [dementia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-dementia-5184552) and disabilities.\n\nA 2016 study published in the *Journal of Research and Personality* found that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their [work lacks meaning](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/doing-what-you-love-the-battle-of-motivation-5222445).\n\nSo the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn.\n\nWith all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience.\n\nThe process requires plenty of [self-reflection](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/self-reflection-importance-benefits-and-strategies-7500858), listening to others, and [finding where your passions lie.](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/25-questions-to-discover-your-passions-8754230) These seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life.\n\n## Donate Time, Money, or Talent\n![Finding your purpose in life has many benefits.]()\n\n![Finding your purpose in life has many benefits.](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/L7iwOLs9eMe8wKSRMbua-3jDzPE=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-168358912-5aee5e5a119fa800378360d6.jpg)\n\nHero Images \/ Getty Images\n\nIf you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others.\n\nResearchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did.\n\n[Altruistic behaviors](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/hedonic-adaptation-4156926) could include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis.\n\nWhether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning.\n\n[Altruism: How to Cultivate Selfless Behavior](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-altruism-2794828)\n\n## Listen to Feedback\nSometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are.\n\nFortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it.\n\nYou might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns.\n\nWhether people think of you as \"a great entertainer\" or they say \"you have a passion for helping the elderly,\" hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in.\n\n## Surround Yourself With Positive People\nAs the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around?\n\nDon't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions.\n\nThe people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration.\n\nOn the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions.\n\n[Letting Go of a Relationship That Is Stressing You Out](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/letting-go-of-a-relationship-that-stresses-you-3144980)\n\n## Start Conversations With New People\nIt's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you.\n\nAsk them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause.\n\nEven though [striking up conversations with strangers](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/50-conversation-starters-when-you-dont-know-anyone-8674165) may feel [awkward](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-to-cope-with-awkward-conversations-3024859) initially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed.\n\nYou might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose.\n\n[How to Start a Conversation](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-to-start-a-conversation-4582339)\n\n## Explore Your Interests\nIs there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees?\n\nAre there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing?\n\nConsider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered?\n\nThe things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life.\n\n## Consider Injustices That Bother You\nMany people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core?\n\nIt might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help.\n\nYou don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in.\n\n## Discover What You Love to Do\nOn the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well.\n\nDo you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts.\n\nIs analyzing data something that you actually find *fun?* Any number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset.\n\nConsider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you.\n\n[Why Are Hobbies Important for Stress Relief?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-importance-of-hobbies-for-stress-relief-3144574)\n\n## How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose?\nFinding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a [lifelong journey](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/metaphors-for-life-2330716), and you must do it only one step at a time.\n\nBut how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people.\n\n- Perhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it.\n- Maybe you've found your meaning in religion.\n- Or you sense a strong connection with others.\n- Maybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering.\n\nYou also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives.\n\nUltimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have.\n\n[Nihilism: History, Philosophy, Theories](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-nihilism-5271083)\n\nRead more:\n\n- [Living Well](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/living-well-7510832)\n- [Self-Improvement](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/self-improvement-4157212)\n\n8 Sources\n\nVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.\n\n1. Khullar D. [Finding Purpose for a Good Life. But Also a Healthy One.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/01\/01\/upshot\/finding-purpose-for-a-good-life-but-also-a-healthy-one.html) *The New York Times.* The Upshot. Jan. 1, 2018:1. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/01\/01\/upshot\/finding-purpose-for-a-good-life-but-also-a-healthy-one.html\n2. Ryff CD, Heller AS, Schaefer SM, van Reekum C, Davidson RJ. [Purposeful engagement, healthy aging, and the brain](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40473-016-0096-z). *Curr Behav Neurosci Rep*. 2016;3(4):318-327. doi:10.1007\/s40473-016-0096-z\n3. Steptoe A, Deaton A, Stone AA. [Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0140-6736%2813%2961489-0) *Lancet*. 2015;385(9968):640–648. doi:10.1016\/S0140-6736(13)61489-0\n4. Musich S, Wang SS, Kraemer S, Hawkins K, Wicker E. [Purpose in life and positive health outcomes among older adults.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/pop.2017.0063) *Popul Health Manag*. 2018;21(2):139–147. doi:10.1089\/pop.2017.0063\n5. Hill PL, Turiano NA, Mroczek DK, Burrow AL. [The value of a purposeful life: Sense of purpose predicts greater income and net worth](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jrp.2016.07.003). *Journal of Research in Personality*. 2016:65:38-42. doi:10.1016\/j.jrp.2016.07.003\n6. Schippers MC, Ziegler N. [Life crafting as a way to find purpose and meaning in life.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.02778) *Front Psychol.* 2019;10:2778. doi: 10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.02778\n7. Baumeister RF, Vohs KD, Aaker JL, Garbinsky EN. [Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17439760.2013.830764). *The Journal of Positive Psychology*. 2013;8(6):505-516. doi:10.1080\/17439760.2013.830764\n8. Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY. [Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms \\[published correction appears in BMC Public Health](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12889-017-4561-8). 2017 Sep 22;17(1):736. doi: 10.1186\/s12889-017-4709-6\\]. *BMC Public Health*. 2017;18(1):8. Published 2017 Jul 11. doi:10.1186\/s12889-017-4561-8\n\n![Amy Morin]()\n\n![Amy Morin](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/gT23evBlFTccOc_M1ophzCZ5f6g=\/144x144\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/VW-MIND-Amy-2b338105f1ee493f94d7e333e410fa76.jpg)\n\nBy [Amy Morin, LCSW](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/amy-morin-4842552)   \n Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including \"13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do,\" have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, \"The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,\" is one of the most viewed talks of all time.\n\n[See Our Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n\n[Meet Our Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n\nShare Feedback\n\nWas this page helpful?\n\nThanks for your feedback\\!\n\nWhat is your feedback?\n\nHelpful\n\nReport an Error\n\nOther\n\nRelated Articles\n\n[![Portrait of a bearded young man sitting on the floor of his living room receiving bad news on his mobile phone. Concept of receiving bad news.]() ![Portrait of a bearded young man sitting on the floor of his living room receiving bad news on his mobile phone. 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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\nVerywell Mind is part of the [People Inc.](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/) publishing family.","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Key Takeaways\n- Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose.\n- Listening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are.\n\nDoes it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and *purpose*—while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A \\*lot\\* of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in \"The New York Times,\" only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't.\n\nFinding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life.\n\nVolunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you \\*find,\\* it's something you create.\n\n## Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose?\nResearch has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that [well-being](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-subjective-well-being-5221255) might be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period.\n\nThere’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to [positive health outcomes](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/links-between-happiness-and-stress-relief-3144629) such as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of [dementia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-dementia-5184552) and disabilities.\n\nA 2016 study published in the *Journal of Research and Personality* found that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their [work lacks meaning](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/doing-what-you-love-the-battle-of-motivation-5222445).\n\nSo the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn.\n\nWith all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience.\n\nThe process requires plenty of [self-reflection](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/self-reflection-importance-benefits-and-strategies-7500858), listening to others, and [finding where your passions lie.](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/25-questions-to-discover-your-passions-8754230) These seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life.\n\n## Donate Time, Money, or Talent\nHero Images \/ Getty Images\n\nIf you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others.\n\nResearchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did.\n\n[Altruistic behaviors](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/hedonic-adaptation-4156926) could include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis.\n\nWhether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning.\n\n## Listen to Feedback\nSometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are.\n\nFortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it.\n\nYou might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns.\n\nWhether people think of you as \"a great entertainer\" or they say \"you have a passion for helping the elderly,\" hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in.\n\n## Surround Yourself With Positive People\nAs the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around?\n\nDon't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions.\n\nThe people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration.\n\nOn the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions.\n\n## Start Conversations With New People\nIt's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you.\n\nAsk them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause.\n\nEven though [striking up conversations with strangers](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/50-conversation-starters-when-you-dont-know-anyone-8674165) may feel [awkward](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-to-cope-with-awkward-conversations-3024859) initially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed.\n\nYou might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose.\n\n## Explore Your Interests\nIs there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees?\n\nAre there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing?\n\nConsider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered?\n\nThe things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life.\n\n## Consider Injustices That Bother You\nMany people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core?\n\nIt might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help.\n\nYou don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in.\n\n## Discover What You Love to Do\nOn the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well.\n\nDo you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts.\n\nIs analyzing data something that you actually find *fun?* Any number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset.\n\nConsider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you.\n\n## How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose?\nFinding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a [lifelong journey](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/metaphors-for-life-2330716), and you must do it only one step at a time.\n\nBut how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people.\n\n- Perhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it.\n- Maybe you've found your meaning in religion.\n- Or you sense a strong connection with others.\n- Maybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering.\n\nYou also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives.\n\nUltimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Key Takeaways Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose. Listening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are. Does it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and purpose —while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A lot of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in "The New York Times," only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't. Finding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life. Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you find, it's something you create. Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose? Research has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that well-being might be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period. There’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to positive health outcomes such as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of dementia and disabilities. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Research and Personality found that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their work lacks meaning . So the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn. With all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience. The process requires plenty of self-reflection , listening to others, and finding where your passions lie. These seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life. Donate Time, Money, or Talent Hero Images / Getty Images If you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others. Researchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did. Altruistic behaviors could include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis. Whether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning. Listen to Feedback Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are. Fortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it. You might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns. Whether people think of you as "a great entertainer" or they say "you have a passion for helping the elderly," hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in. Surround Yourself With Positive People As the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around? Don't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions. The people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration. On the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions. Start Conversations With New People It's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you. Ask them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause. Even though striking up conversations with strangers may feel awkward initially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed. You might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose. Explore Your Interests Is there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees? Are there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing? Consider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered? The things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life. Consider Injustices That Bother You Many people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core? It might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help. You don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in. Discover What You Love to Do On the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well. Do you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts. Is analyzing data something that you actually find fun? Any number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset. Consider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you. How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose? Finding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a lifelong journey , and you must do it only one step at a time. But how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people. Perhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it. Maybe you've found your meaning in religion. Or you sense a strong connection with others. Maybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering. You also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives. Ultimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have.
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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved # 7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life ...and why having one is so good for your well-being 💛 By [Amy Morin, LCSW](https://www.verywellmind.com/amy-morin-4842552) ![Amy Morin]() ![Amy Morin](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/6w-MU4IiNC6Ybaigog3YKa3jl0w=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/VW-MIND-Amy-2b338105f1ee493f94d7e333e410fa76.jpg) [Amy Morin, LCSW](https://www.verywellmind.com/amy-morin-4842552) Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our [editorial process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) Updated on November 04, 2025 Reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by mental health professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. [Learn more](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494). by [Carly Snyder, MD](https://www.verywellmind.com/carly-snyder-md-4779180) ![Carly]() ![Carly](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/fAj0X5DtD4F-F4lAvzUg_fKzdY0=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/carly-935717a415724b9b9c849c26fd0450ea.jpg) Reviewed by [Carly Snyder, MD](https://www.verywellmind.com/carly-snyder-md-4779180) Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. Learn about our [Review Board](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494) Table of Contents View All Table of Contents - [Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose?](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-why-do-you-need-a-sense-of-purpose) - [Donate Time, Money, or Talent](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-donate-time-money-or-talent) - [Listen to Feedback](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-listen-to-feedback) - [Surround Yourself With Positive People](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-surround-yourself-with-positive-people) - [Start Conversations With New People](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-start-conversations-with-new-people) - [Explore Your Interests](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-explore-your-interests) - [Consider Injustices That Bother You](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-consider-injustices-that-bother-you) - [Discover What You Love to Do](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-discover-what-you-love-to-do) - [How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose?](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-for-finding-your-purpose-in-life-4164689#toc-how-do-you-know-youve-found-your-purpose) Close ### Key Takeaways - Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose. - Listening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are. Does it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and purpose—while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A \lot\ of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in "The New York Times," only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't. Finding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life. Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you \find,\ it's something you create. ['I Don't Know What to Do With My Life': How to Navigate This Feeling](https://www.verywellmind.com/i-don-t-know-what-to-do-with-my-life-how-to-navigate-this-feeling-5271628) ## Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose? Research has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that [well-being](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-subjective-well-being-5221255) might be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period. There’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to [positive health outcomes](https://www.verywellmind.com/links-between-happiness-and-stress-relief-3144629) such as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of [dementia](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dementia-5184552) and disabilities. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Research and Personality found that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their [work lacks meaning](https://www.verywellmind.com/doing-what-you-love-the-battle-of-motivation-5222445). So the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn. With all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience. The process requires plenty of [self-reflection](https://www.verywellmind.com/self-reflection-importance-benefits-and-strategies-7500858), listening to others, and [finding where your passions lie.](https://www.verywellmind.com/25-questions-to-discover-your-passions-8754230) These seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life. ## Donate Time, Money, or Talent ![Finding your purpose in life has many benefits.]() ![Finding your purpose in life has many benefits.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/L7iwOLs9eMe8wKSRMbua-3jDzPE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/GettyImages-168358912-5aee5e5a119fa800378360d6.jpg) Hero Images / Getty Images If you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others. Researchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did. [Altruistic behaviors](https://www.verywellmind.com/hedonic-adaptation-4156926) could include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis. Whether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning. [Altruism: How to Cultivate Selfless Behavior](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-altruism-2794828) ## Listen to Feedback Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are. Fortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it. You might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns. Whether people think of you as "a great entertainer" or they say "you have a passion for helping the elderly," hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in. ## Surround Yourself With Positive People As the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around? Don't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions. The people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration. On the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions. [Letting Go of a Relationship That Is Stressing You Out](https://www.verywellmind.com/letting-go-of-a-relationship-that-stresses-you-3144980) ## Start Conversations With New People It's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you. Ask them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause. Even though [striking up conversations with strangers](https://www.verywellmind.com/50-conversation-starters-when-you-dont-know-anyone-8674165) may feel [awkward](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-cope-with-awkward-conversations-3024859) initially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed. You might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose. [How to Start a Conversation](https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-start-a-conversation-4582339) ## Explore Your Interests Is there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees? Are there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing? Consider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered? The things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life. ## Consider Injustices That Bother You Many people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core? It might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help. You don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in. ## Discover What You Love to Do On the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well. Do you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts. Is analyzing data something that you actually find fun? Any number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset. Consider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you. [Why Are Hobbies Important for Stress Relief?](https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-hobbies-for-stress-relief-3144574) ## How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose? Finding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a [lifelong journey](https://www.verywellmind.com/metaphors-for-life-2330716), and you must do it only one step at a time. But how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people. - Perhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it. - Maybe you've found your meaning in religion. - Or you sense a strong connection with others. - Maybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering. You also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives. Ultimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have. [Nihilism: History, Philosophy, Theories](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-nihilism-5271083) Read more: - [Living Well](https://www.verywellmind.com/living-well-7510832) - [Self-Improvement](https://www.verywellmind.com/self-improvement-4157212) 8 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 1. Khullar D. [Finding Purpose for a Good Life. But Also a Healthy One.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/upshot/finding-purpose-for-a-good-life-but-also-a-healthy-one.html) The New York Times. The Upshot. Jan. 1, 2018:1. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/upshot/finding-purpose-for-a-good-life-but-also-a-healthy-one.html 2. Ryff CD, Heller AS, Schaefer SM, van Reekum C, Davidson RJ. [Purposeful engagement, healthy aging, and the brain](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-016-0096-z). Curr Behav Neurosci Rep. 2016;3(4):318-327. doi:10.1007/s40473-016-0096-z 3. Steptoe A, Deaton A, Stone AA. [Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing.](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736%2813%2961489-0) Lancet. 2015;385(9968):640–648. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61489-0 4. Musich S, Wang SS, Kraemer S, Hawkins K, Wicker E. [Purpose in life and positive health outcomes among older adults.](https://doi.org/10.1089/pop.2017.0063) Popul Health Manag. 2018;21(2):139–147. doi:10.1089/pop.2017.0063 5. Hill PL, Turiano NA, Mroczek DK, Burrow AL. [The value of a purposeful life: Sense of purpose predicts greater income and net worth](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2016.07.003). Journal of Research in Personality. 2016:65:38-42. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2016.07.003 6. Schippers MC, Ziegler N. [Life crafting as a way to find purpose and meaning in life.](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02778) Front Psychol. 2019;10:2778. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02778 7. Baumeister RF, Vohs KD, Aaker JL, Garbinsky EN. [Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life](https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.830764). The Journal of Positive Psychology. 2013;8(6):505-516. doi:10.1080/17439760.2013.830764 8. Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY. [Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms \[published correction appears in BMC Public Health](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8). 2017 Sep 22;17(1):736. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4709-6\]. BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):8. Published 2017 Jul 11. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8 ![Amy Morin]() ![Amy Morin](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/gT23evBlFTccOc_M1ophzCZ5f6g=/144x144/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/VW-MIND-Amy-2b338105f1ee493f94d7e333e410fa76.jpg) By [Amy Morin, LCSW](https://www.verywellmind.com/amy-morin-4842552) Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. [See Our Editorial Process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) [Meet Our Review Board](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494) Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback\! What is your feedback? 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Readable Markdown	### Key Takeaways - Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people can help you find your purpose. - Listening to feedback from others can show you what your passions are. Does it ever seem like other people have it all figured out—their goals, values, and purpose—while you're just trying to figure out what to have for lunch? Don't worry. A \lot\ of us don't have it all figured out either. According to one analysis in "The New York Times," only around 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful. Another 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don't. Finding your purpose in life is more than a cliché. Learning how to live your life with purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and general contentment. Feeling like what you do is worthwhile is arguably a significant key to a happy life. But what this means is different for each person, and it's not always easy to figure out what drives you. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies for finding and steering your rudder in a sometimes turbulent sea of life. Volunteering and surrounding yourself with positive people is one way to discover your purpose. You can also start by building new social connections, exploring your interests, and discovering what inspires your passions. In many cases, purpose isn't something you \find,\ it's something you create. ## Why Do You Need a Sense of Purpose? Research has found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—a sense of purpose and control control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that [well-being](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-subjective-well-being-5221255) might be protective for health maintenance. In that research, people with the strongest well-being were 30% less likely to die during the eight-and-a-half-year follow-up period. There’s also research that links feeling as if you have a sense of purpose to [positive health outcomes](https://www.verywellmind.com/links-between-happiness-and-stress-relief-3144629) such as fewer strokes and heart attacks, better sleep, and a lower risk of [dementia](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dementia-5184552) and disabilities. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Research and Personality found that individuals who feel a sense of purpose make more money than individuals who feel as though their [work lacks meaning](https://www.verywellmind.com/doing-what-you-love-the-battle-of-motivation-5222445). So the good news is, you don’t have to choose between having wealth and living a meaningful life. You might find that the more purpose you feel, the more money you’ll earn. With all of those benefits, finding purpose and meaning in your life is clearly central to fulfillment—but it's likely to take time and patience. The process requires plenty of [self-reflection](https://www.verywellmind.com/self-reflection-importance-benefits-and-strategies-7500858), listening to others, and [finding where your passions lie.](https://www.verywellmind.com/25-questions-to-discover-your-passions-8754230) These seven strategies can help you reveal or find your purpose so you can begin living a more meaningful life. ## Donate Time, Money, or Talent Hero Images / Getty Images If you can cultivate just one helpful habit in your search for purpose, it would be helping others. Researchers at Florida State University and Stanford found that happiness and meaningfulness overlapped somewhat but were different: Happiness was linked to the person being a taker before a giver, whereas meaningfulness went along with being more of a giver than a taker. The givers in relationships reported having a purposeful life more often than takers did. [Altruistic behaviors](https://www.verywellmind.com/hedonic-adaptation-4156926) could include volunteering for a nonprofit organization, donating money to causes you care about, or simply helping out the people around you on a day-to-day basis. Whether you decide to spend two Saturdays a month serving meals in a soup kitchen, or you volunteer to drive your elderly neighbor to the grocery store once a week, doing something kind for others can make you feel as though your life has meaning. ## Listen to Feedback Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the things you feel passionate about. After all, you probably like to do many different things, and the things you love to do may have become so ingrained in your life that you don’t realize how important those things are. Fortunately, other people might be able to give you some insight. There’s a good chance you’re already displaying your passion and purpose to those around you without even realizing it. You might choose to reach out to people and ask what reminds them of you or what they think of when you enter their mind. Or you might take note when someone pays you a compliment or makes an observation about you. Write those observations down and look for patterns. Whether people think of you as "a great entertainer" or they say "you have a passion for helping the elderly," hearing others say what they notice about you might reinforce some of the passions you’ve already been engaging in. ## Surround Yourself With Positive People As the saying goes, you are the company you keep. What do you have in common with the people who you choose to be around? Don't think about co-workers or family members you feel obligated to see. Think about the people you choose to spend time with outside of work and outside of family functions. The people you surround yourself with say something about you. If you're surrounded by people who are making positive changes, you might draw from their inspiration. On the other hand, if the people around you are negative individuals who drag you down, you might want to make some changes. It's hard to feel passionate and purposeful when surrounded by people who aren't interested in making positive contributions. ## Start Conversations With New People It's easy to browse social media while you're alone on the subway or sitting at a bar waiting for a friend. Resist that urge. Instead, take the time to talk to the people around you. Ask them if they are working on any projects or what they like to do for fun. Talk to them about organizations with which they are involved or if they like to donate to any particular cause. Even though [striking up conversations with strangers](https://www.verywellmind.com/50-conversation-starters-when-you-dont-know-anyone-8674165) may feel [awkward](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-cope-with-awkward-conversations-3024859) initially, talking to people outside your immediate social circle can open your eyes to activities, causes, or career opportunities that you never even knew existed. You might discover new activities to explore or different places to visit. And those activities might be key to helping you find your purpose. ## Explore Your Interests Is there a topic that you are regularly talking about in a Facebook status update or in a Tweet? Are you regularly sharing articles about climate change or refugees? Are there pictures on Instagram of you engaging in a particular activity over and over, such as gardening or performing? Consider the conversations you enjoy holding with people the most when you’re meeting face-to-face. Do you like talking about history? Or do you prefer sharing the latest money-saving tips you discovered? The things you like to talk about and the things you enjoy sharing on social media may reveal the things that give you purpose in life. ## Consider Injustices That Bother You Many people have their pet causes or passion projects that surround an injustice in the world. Is there anything that makes you so deeply unhappy to think about that it bothers you to the core? It might be animal welfare, a particular civil rights issue or childhood obesity organizations. Perhaps the idea of senior citizens spending the holidays alone makes you weepy or you think that substance abusers need more rehabilitation opportunities—the organizations are out there, and they need your help. You don't necessarily have to engage in your purpose full-time. You might find your career allows you to afford to help a cause you feel passionate about. Or, you might find that you are able to donate time—as opposed to money—to give to a cause that you believe in. ## Discover What You Love to Do On the other end of the spectrum, simply thinking about what you truly love to do can help you find your purpose as well. Do you absolutely love musical theater? Your skills might be best put to use in a way that brings live performances to children who can benefit from exposure to the arts. Is analyzing data something that you actually find fun? Any number of groups could find that skill to be an invaluable asset. Consider what type of skills, talents, and passions you bring to the table. Then, brainstorm how you might turn your passion into something meaningful to you. ## How Do You Know You've Found Your Purpose? Finding your purpose isn't something you can do in a few days, weeks, or months. It can be a [lifelong journey](https://www.verywellmind.com/metaphors-for-life-2330716), and you must do it only one step at a time. But how do you know when you've found your purpose? Like the notion of purpose itself, the answer to that is subjective—and there are as many signs that someone's found their purpose as there are people. - Perhaps you feel fully connected to the universe and that you know your place in it. - Maybe you've found your meaning in religion. - Or you sense a strong connection with others. - Maybe it's the feeling that arises from activities that benefit others, such as volunteering. You also might find that your purpose changes over time. Perhaps you liked working with animals in your youth, but now you want to join forces with a cause that fights human trafficking. Or, maybe you want to do both, being among the lucky ones who find more than one purpose to drive their lives. Ultimately, you've likely found your purpose if you've stopped asking whether you have.
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