When you were young, you wanted to grow up to have a specific career. Then, in early adulthood, you were eager to move to a particular city. Throughout life, people feel all sorts of convictions — about their professional goals, personal relationships, or lifestyle.
But these ideas can change. As you grow, meet new people, and discover untapped passions, you can sometimes feel like you need a sharp shift in direction. Other times, you might be completely unsure of what drives you.
When you’re lost or unmotivated, it’s time to look inward. Push your introspection in the right direction with the following 15 questions to discover your life purpose and start taking steps toward fulfillment.
What’s a life purpose, and why do you need one?
A purpose is a reason for existence. It drives you to make decisions, take action, and work hard toward a particular goal or future. When you have a purpose, you deeply believe in the importance of your end goal, and you feel productive moving in that direction.
Some examples of life purposes include:
- Becoming successful in a specific career
- Keeping your family happy
- Supporting your community
- Contributing to a social cause
Keep in mind that not everything in your life will contribute to your purpose. If you’re interested in helping a social cause, your day job might not connect to your efforts, and that’s okay. The impact of having a life purpose is about overall fulfillment. It should make you feel productive, even if you aren’t focusing on it every single minute.
Without a life purpose, you might feel out of control or like you’re going through the motions. A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed that not having a purpose is linked to depression and anxiety, and that having clear aspirations helps people set goals, align their values with actions, and find meaning in life.
Recognizing a disconnect between what you want in life and what you’re currently doing — even if you aren’t sure what your purpose will be — is a good indicator that it’s time to reflect and think about what fulfills you. Making life meaningful can increase satisfaction and motivate you to keep going.
15 questions to discover your life purpose
If you’re wondering how to know your purpose in life, you’re already on the cusp of an awakening. Acknowledging that there’s something missing shows that you’re ready for change, and it’s the first step toward taking action.
But finding purpose is easier said than done. It might even feel like a big decision, especially if you see yourself working toward this end goal for the rest of your life. Just remember that if you think of a purpose, it’s not set in stone. Life changes happen, and you won’t be the same person in 10 or even five years.
Asking yourself questions can help you reflect and discover the things that interest you. Here are 15 questions that will help you get at the bigger one: "What is my life purpose?”
5 questions to get in touch with yourself
When you feel lost in life, you might not know where to start. Beginning with small-picture questions can help you learn how to discover your purpose and spark self-discovery. Here are four to try:
1. What are my strengths?
If you’re feeling like you have no purpose, your self-esteem may be low. You may even blame yourself for not constructing a life that fulfills you. Shift this inner narrative by asking what you’re good at and reminding yourself how capable you are.
As you list strengths, you might make self-discoveries that you wouldn’t otherwise. Perhaps you’ll recall that you’re an excellent active listener and deeply empathetic. This thought could light a spark, like how it might be a good idea to shift your career path and become a life coach or counselor.
2. When do you feel happiest?
Lacking purpose can make you focus on the negative. Thinking about what makes you happy — even if it’s something small — can remind you of what’s important and point you in the right direction.
There are no right or wrong answers in this exercise. Discovering that being with your family makes you happiest can be a cue that you need a better work-life balance. Finding out you’re most content when cooking a delicious home-cooked meal might mean it’s time to pursue catering as a career.
3. What was your last “shower” idea?
Some people say their best ideas come to them in the shower. That’s because it’s an environment that lets your mind wander, encouraging creativity.
Try to remember your last lightbulb moment, even if you brushed it off at the time. Maybe you thought about starting a volunteer group, or you had an idea about a short story you’d like to write. Now may be the time to consider these ideas more seriously and follow them through.
4. What do you do in your free time?
The activities you perform in your free time are generally ones you do for no other reason than because you want to. And if you’re questioning what your purpose in life is, leaning back on what you naturally enjoy can point you toward larger goals.
Say you enjoy hiking. You might have thought of this activity as only a hobby, but it could be a clue to a larger purpose. Maybe it’s time to join a hiking club or start an initiative to pick up trash in local parks to pursue that purpose.
5. What was I born to do?
Similar to “What's my purpose in life?”, this question encourages you to consider what unique talents you have to offer. Instead of thinking about a larger meaning, try to narrow down the things you’re already good at or passionate about.
Trust your gut when answering this question. You may instinctively feel your vocation is to help others, create music, or have a family. Then, ask yourself if there are ways you could better fulfill these callings.
6 deep questions that help you find your life purpose
You know who you are and what you enjoy doing. Now, it’s time to probe deeper. The following list of questions may take more thought to answer, but they bring up more concrete ideas that you could apply to your purpose.
6. What do you hope to see when you look back at your life?
Imagine yourself looking back on your life when you’re in old age. Consider what you hope to see in your memories. What do you imagine yourself accomplishing, and what legacy do you want to leave?
If the ideas that come up are far different from the life you’re currently living, that doesn’t mean you’ve made a mistake in your life plan. This is an insight. Many people start a family or shift careers in their 50s, and some people finally fulfill their dream of traveling during retirement. It’s not too late to start shifting toward a new purpose.
7. What are your core values?
Ethics and morals can be powerful drivers. You may have stayed in your home city to care for a loved one because of your compassion. Maybe you feel conflicted admitting you’d like to shift roles at work because you think it would be unethical to abandon the team you currently lead.
Following ethics and morals doesn’t always lead to decisions that fulfill you. Consider your personal values, too. Values describe anything important to you — regardless of whether they’re “good” or “bad.” Family, wealth, and optimism are all good examples. You might find that your ambition is more important to you than sticking with your current job.
8. What societal issues resonate for you?
Part of finding purpose is feeling part of something bigger. Consider making change alongside like-minded people, whether that’s in a third place or with an organization. It can motivate you to work harder at your purpose and give you the chance to connect with people similar to you.
Ask yourself what societal issues resonate with you. Perhaps you’re concerned about your city’s lack of housing or the cost of groceries in your area. Then, think of ways to get involved — whether by volunteering, doing activism, or even working in a new field.
9. What would you do if you had all the resources in the world?
Resources like money and time can limit your practical decision-making, sometimes landing you in a position that doesn't drive purpose. Think about the things you could do if you didn’t have to work full-time or could work anywhere in the world. It could give you insights into what truly interests you.
Consider using journal prompts like, “If I had all the money in the world, I would…” or “If I could turn back time, I would…” to imagine possibilities. If you wrote you’d take better care of your physical health if you could rewind the clock, you know that improving your wellness is important to you. You can’t change the past, but you can start exercising, getting better nutrition, and prioritizing rest now.
10. What would you do in life if it were entirely up to you?
Everyone has external pressures that drive their decisions. Use this opportunity to be selfish. Ask yourself what you’d be doing with your life if you had no other responsibilities or no one else weighed in on your decisions. This question aims to help you explore your desires rather than craft “realistic” routes forward.
Although it might involve a little fantasizing, the answers to this question can lead to new realizations about what your purpose might be. You may discover that if it weren’t for your partner’s job, you’d move from where you live now and become a digital nomad. It could be worth bringing this point up with your significant other. You never know if they’re also ready for a shift.
11. What’s the meaning of life?
This question may seem impossible to answer — and it is. But its goal isn’t to actually discover the ultimate meaning of life. It’s to determine a personal belief about the importance of your existence. Some wish to leave a legacy or make an impact on their community, an industry, or the arts. Others hope to achieve their idea of success. These revelations can help you reflect on what your individual purpose is, even if it isn’t the “meaning of life.”
4 questions to push you to take action
As you make revelations about what’s important to you, you still may not feel inner peace. It might be time to take action — like quitting your job, going back to school, or diving into a creative pursuit.
This stage of life takes work, and it can be overwhelming to make such a big change. The following questions can help spark action and remind you of how capable you are.
12. What challenges have you overcome?
Empower yourself for the changes you’re about to make by reminding yourself of past successes. Free-write about a time you overcame adversity. State the problem, what you felt when facing it, and the steps you took to resolve it. Note what emotions you experienced when you succeeded. This can show you that you’ve taken big steps before, and you can do it again.
13. What would you tell someone else in your position?
Step outside of yourself for a moment and consider what advice you’d give to someone in your shoes. Honestly assess your situation — including current responsibilities and limitations — and generate creative “what ifs.”
If you’re considering getting a job that involves travel so you can see the world, think about what you’d tell a friend. You might say that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that they should go for it. Or if they have lots of responsibilities at home, you might help them think of alternatives that allow travel but still make time for family life. This can give you insights about what’s realistic for you and what could be holding you back.
14. What would you put on your bucket list?
According to the American Heart Association, planning ahead and looking forward to things can even improve your physical health. Making a bucket list is one way to imagine the future and find purpose in the activities that are important to you.
Take the time to detail the experiences you’d like to have throughout your life. They can be professional, like starting your own business, or personal, like hiking a particular mountain range. Then, step back from the list and make observations. If many of your bucket-list activities are professional, perhaps it’s time to rethink your career. If they center around travel, doing more of it may be central to your purpose.
15. What’s one change you could make tomorrow to live better?
Soul-searching to find your purpose doesn’t have to result in huge life changes. You can continue to discover yourself while taking small steps to improve your well-being, and it can start tomorrow.
Try to set short-term goals that will slowly lead up to larger ones. If you think volunteering is a big part of your purpose, you can sign up for a group tomorrow. If you want to upskill in your career, talk to your boss tomorrow about professional development opportunities. Taking these first steps can show you how capable you are.
Direct your self-learning with questions
When you detect a lack of purpose, it can be challenging to see a path forward — let alone feel motivated to foster personal growth. You can make a self-awareness breakthrough by exploring your inner world.
These 15 questions to discover your life purpose can give you the insights you need to make a change. Start thinking about what makes you happy, and set goals that bring you closer to your purpose. And consider turning these questions into journal prompts to aid in your self-discovery. Whether you want to help people, make a positive impact on your family, or work on your personal development, you’ll be on your way to a more fulfilling life.
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