What Is My Purpose In Life Philosophy
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So you’re searching for your purpose in life, huh? Lately, you’ve been waking up and wondering why you do it at all. You go through the routine of work, eat, sleep, and sometimes you don’t even bother eating because what’s the point?
Finding a purpose for going on can be one of the hardest funks. A purpose is different for everyone because it’s whatever your reason is for continuing to live. It can help you make decisions, give you a sense of direction, and create meaning in your life.
How Do You Find Your Purpose?
Finding your purpose can come from anything that brings you joy, peace, or belonging. When starting your journey of finding your purpose, try getting involved with some of the following.
Religion
Lots of people find their purpose in religion. For isolated people, joining a group of people and worshiping them can be a spiritual experience. It’s not for everyone, but it can help.
Hobbies
Investing in what you’re passionate about can brings you a sense of purpose. Whether writing, sewing, fishing, singing, etc., doing something that makes you happy can help during times of depression.
Art
The act of creating things brings a lot of purposes. First, you have something tangible that you can look at and say, “I did something that not everyone does.” Second, it brings a sense of uniqueness. Third, if you decide to share it, you inspire people to create.
Family
A lot of people find purpose in their family. Taking care of elders or children can bring a feeling of importance. You realize people rely on your help.
Does Reading Philosophy Help You Find it?
Expanding your knowledge of things is always a good idea. Reading philosophy can help give you an idea of what others found as their purpose. Looking at older philosophers, a lot of them focused on knowledge, religion, and beauty.
Great Quotes from Philosophers About Finding Purpose in Life
“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than those who produce them; for these only give them life, those are the art of living well.”
―Aristotle
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
―Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
“To live is to suffer; to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
―Friedrich Nietzsche
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… These are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
―Confucius
“Life can only be understood backward; but it must be lived forwards.”
―Soren Kierkegaard
What if You Can’t Find it?
Remember that making significant changes in your life takes time. You’re not going to find purpose overnight but if you find something you love, stick with it. Eventually, you’ll notice that you have a reason to get up in the morning.
If a few months have passed and you still feel like nothing brings you joy anymore, reach out to your doctor. I recommend getting a therapist to talk to if you think there’s nowhere else to look. You’d be surprised by how much therapy can help in the long run.
Is Searching for a Purpose a Purpose in Life?
I wouldn’t consider searching for a purpose being a purpose in life. If you are trying different things and none seem to be making you happy, you haven’t found your purpose yet.
Searching for a purpose is a great way to expand yourself, though. You can discover that you like doing things that you never thought.
For example, maybe you started writing about gardening, and when you started planting things, you found that you loved it more than writing.
Final Thoughts on What is Your Purpose in Life
If you ask why you even bother getting up in the morning, you could wonder what your purpose in life is. When searching for a purpose, look for things that can bring you a sense of importance and community, such as religion or art.
Reading philosophy can help because it’ll give you a sense of what philosophers like Aristotle and Confucious thought were the purpose of life. If you’re feeling like nothing is working, don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist.
While searching for a purpose shouldn’t be your actual purpose in life, it can help you expand your interests. You might even find yourself enjoying things that you never thought you would.
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