Not Knowing What You Want Out Of Life; How To Find Purpose
Not everyone knows what they want to do with their lives. It’s not always clear what career we want to pursue or which interests to follow. Not knowing what you want out of life after high school or following a significant life change is a problem for many.
And that’s okay. It requires significant thought and time to make big decisions.
What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
It’s perfectly okay not to know what you want out of life. Figuring out one’s desires, goals, and purpose can be a complex and ongoing process. Many people go through periods of uncertainty and exploration, and it’s all part of the journey.
A Few Reasons Why It’s Okay Not Knowing What You Want Out Of Life
Self-Discovery
Life is a continuous journey of self-discovery. It’s natural to explore different interests, experiences, and possibilities before finding a sense of direction. Embrace the opportunity to learn more about yourself and what truly matters to you.
Changing Priorities
As you grow and evolve as an individual, your priorities and desires may change. What you wanted in the past may not align with your current aspirations. Allow yourself the flexibility to adapt and redefine your goals as needed.
Embracing The Present
Sometimes, focusing too much on a specific future outcome can overshadow the present moment. By not knowing what you want out of life, you can be more open to new experiences and opportunities that come your way. It allows you to live in the present and embrace the journey without the pressure of predetermined expectations.
Exploring Possibilities
Uncertainty about what you want can invite you to explore various paths and possibilities. You can try different hobbies, meet new people, and pursue diverse interests. Through exploration, you may stumble upon something that truly resonates with you.
Personal Growth
The process of discovering what you want out of life is a valuable opportunity for personal growth. It involves self-reflection, introspection, and learning from both successes and failures. It can help you better understand yourself, your values, and what fulfills you.
How to Decide What To Do With Your Life
Figuring out what to do with your life can be a challenging and introspective process. It requires self-reflection, exploration, and a willingness to embrace change. Let’s explore some steps that can help you on your journey.
Reflect On Your Values And Passions
Consider what truly matters to you. Think about your interests, hobbies, and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Reflect on what you are passionate about and value most in different aspects of life, such as relationships, career, personal growth, and contribution to society.
Identify Your Strengths And Skills
Assess your strengths and skills objectively. Think about the things you excel at and enjoy doing. Consider your natural talents, acquired skills, and areas where you have received positive feedback from others. Identifying your strengths can help guide you toward a path that aligns with your abilities and allows you to thrive.
Explore Various Interests And Options
Engage in diverse experiences to broaden your horizons. Take up new hobbies, volunteer for different causes, travel, attend workshops or seminars, and explore various career fields. Experimenting with different activities and roles can provide valuable insights into what resonates with you and what doesn’t.
Set Goals And Create A Vision
Define your long-term aspirations and create a vision for your life. Set specific, achievable, and meaningful goals that align with your values and passions. Visualize where you want to be in the future and what you want to accomplish. Having a clear vision can provide direction and motivation.
Seek Guidance And Advice
Reach out to mentors, career counselors, or trusted individuals who can offer guidance and support. Discuss your thoughts and concerns with them, and seek their insights and perspectives. Sometimes an outside perspective can illuminate possibilities you may not have considered.
Seek Guidance And Advice
Continuously invest in your personal growth and development. Explore educational opportunities, both formal and informal, that can enhance your knowledge and skills. Read books, listen to podcasts, attend seminars, and engage in self-reflection exercises. The more you learn and grow, the more clarity you may gain about your path in life.
Take Action And Be Open To Change
Once you have gathered insights and considered various options, take action. Start small by experimenting with different activities or pursuing short-term projects. Be open to adapting and adjusting your course as you gain new experiences and learn more about yourself. It’s important to remain flexible and embrace change along the way.
Final Thoughts About Not Knowing What You Want Out Of Life
Finding your purpose and passion in life is a journey that may take time. Be patient with yourself, trust the process, and embrace the opportunities for growth and self-discovery that come your way.
Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no set timeline or roadmap for figuring out what you want out of life. It’s okay to take your time, be patient with yourself, and trust that clarity will come with time and experience. Focus on self-discovery, personal growth, and embracing the present moment to gradually gain more insight into what truly matters to you.
Enjoy the adventure as you transition from not knowing what you want out of life to finding your purpose. Keep working, and you will get there.
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I love what you have to say about not everyone finding their passion after highschool! It’s so true that you need to have the time to figure out what you want and not jump into something you’re not sure about. I look forward to reading more articles!
Thank you, Julie. I love your comments!
Love this!! Your so right about not knowing what you want right out of high school. At 18 I certainly had no idea where life would take me or what I would want at 40.
That is the truth for a lot of us. We have to find our way as we go. And that’s okay.
I think is a message that all high school students should read. It’s also fitting for me as a parent of two young adults totally lost and trying to make things happen on their own away from me needs to hear. I desperately want to “fix their situation”, but yet, I also know I can’t live their lives for them. They have to make their lives the way they want them to be.
I know what it feels like to be in your shoes, Crystal. And putting pressure on adult children just worsens the issue. But, it is okay to give out expectations such as you’re expected to pay this much in rent and these are your chores. Or you may live here for _____ months and then you must find your own place. The hardest part is sticking to your guns and following through.
I agree, it’s never too late to figure out what you want to be when you “grow up”. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, but on the other hand, it’s amazing you became a nurse because of it. Thanks for sharing this. 🖤
I appreciate that, Jenna. Thank you!
I love the idea that we can grow and change at anytime. That is what living is all about! I have found it refreshing to add to my life things I wanted to try, but didn’t start out doing when I graduated from college. No matter my age, I know there is much to learn and still so much to do! Love your honesty and encouragement here in your writing.
Thank you, Lindsey! As long as we are learning and changing, it’s proof we’re still living our best life, right?
Thanks so much for sharing, as I was growing up, I was under loads of pressure to know what I want for the future, and I always felt frustrated not having the answer.
After moving away from home, I looked at things differently and I knew for a fact it`s ok not to know what you want because you might want it now, feel like life itself depended on it and feel differently in the future. So there are things I have learned to just let take care of themselves.
I think when others put pressure on you to decide what to do with your life, it just overwhelms you. Then, all you can focus on is the pressure instead of making a rational decision.
I love this! It has taken me well into midlife to figure out what I want in life. While I may still not be 100% sure, I believe I’m much closer to figuring things out. Thanks for sharing!
It’s definitely getting clearer for me too! Only taken a lifetime to get here!
I’m almost 40 and I’m still trying to decide want to do with my life. I thought I had it figured out when I was younger, but I was wrong. Hopefully I’ll get it figured out pretty soon
It’s never too late, April! You’ll get there!
This describes me to a ‘T’! When I was in high school I always thought I was going to be an accountant to help my dad at his company. And while I do still help him out once and awhile; I had a mild revelation while in college that I didn’t want that to be my career path. So I opted for a creative writing degree because I love to read and write. It made me far happier as a person. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I’m so happy you found your nitch in life. That’s exactly what my post is about!
I love this post. Life is a winding road and reinventing ourselves in a career is great. After 22 years in my career, I needed more and started a blog. It gives me a creative outlet (and helps use my long-lost degree in professional writing and editing) while still keeping my job to get the bills paid.
And I’ve read your blog and love it! So happy we’ve found our niches in life! Just like in the article, it took us a while!
This is so true, and so relevant in my life right now. Two college degrees later, and I kinda know what I want. I’m also a stay-at-home mom, which makes those decisions even harder. Definitely true words here!
And like the post says, you’ll get there! It’s never too late! Right now, you’re exactly where you need to be!
This is so true!! Not everyone knows what they want to do right away. It takes time to try things out and to see what you truly enjoy. Making that decision as a teenager is crazy to me!
Me too! We were all teenagers once! Now I shudder at some of the choices I made back then. And I bet you do, as well!
Great article! I didn’t figure things out until I was 37. I got my teaching degree in college thinking that’s what I wanted to do, but “retired” 8 years ago.
Just keep on doing what’s right for you! Pathways (especially in life) are rarely without curves here and there!
Keep trying until you make it. It never too late. You never know what life holds for you until you go and get it.
That’s so true! So many unexpected factors happen along the way. It’s a good thing we keep on learning as we move through life! Especially from our failures!
I love and embrace your attitude about it being ok if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. I took many years of work off due to my health, and I learned to “just be.” And I was ok with that, although when I started my own business at age 48, it seemed that my family (parents and sister) felt prouder of me. Although I guess I could be reading into that! Thanks for the great joyful posts!
Julie, I’m willing to bet your family is proud of you no matter what you do! Because they love you, the person! You seem like a gem! Thank you for your comment!
What a beautiful and inspiring post! I completely agree that people shouldn’t just waste money on college at such a young age if they are not sure what they want to do. I am glad that trade schools are more popular now so kids are not accumulating such debt early in life.
I’m a big fan of trade schools! And I feel they should be a consideration for anyone who isn’t 100% sure of what they want out of life.
I absolutely adore this topic and can resonate with so much of what you have said. I have never really had one thing in particular that I’ve wanted to do, my problem is I have too many ideas haha! I love your advice and honesty on this subject and it was so beautifully written. It felt very much like having a cup of tea and a chat with a friend 🙂
Alison, your comment is one of my all time favorites! It’s what every writer wants to hear. Thank you!
Your post is such a refresher to the regular stuff on finding your passion at the earliest. Not everybody but some people are victimized for not having a clear idea of what to do in their lives. Thanks for sharing!
That’s exactly right! And it’s exactly why I wrote the post. It can take a while to find the right answer. And sometimes, there are lots of right answers!
I agree, enjoy the adventure. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was always living in the moment and never cared about the future. I am still sort of that way. I have been a professional French Horn Player, a Software Sales Rep, a Pharmaceutical Sale Rep, a Paid Adventurer, and now at the age of 47 a 1st time Dad!
Life is always changing and those that change with it or just enjoy the ride, I find have the most fun!
That sounds like a life well lived to me! I think you’re onto something there!