I have previously written about the incredible psychological benefits of purpose: We know from research that individuals that report actively exploring what their purpose might be, actively preparing for their purpose, or actively engaging in the pursuit of their purpose all report greater levels of well-being than those who do not or are not aware of or engage with their purpose. It feels good to know what you have to offer the world, and that you can use those skills to make a dent in it. Leave a mark on the world in some way that will be here after you are gone. That gives you a reason to get up each morning.
Japanese culture calls this sense of purpose "Ikigai". It is why you exist, and what drives your life.
A reminder about the importance of purpose came to me in the form of several research talks I heard last week. I attended a virtual conference (Society for Personality and Social Psychology), and the first day was filled with research presentations on well-being and happiness. Most of the presentations were somehow related to the pandemic, but not all. What struck me were the research talks related to new findings about purpose.
It turns out that purpose, whether it is the exploration of purpose, the preparation for purpose, or the pursuit of your purpose, is not only good for our mental and emotional well-being, our happiness, it is also strongly correlated with our physical health! Recent studies have shown that purpose correlates with 18% fewer doctor visits and 39% fewer nights spent in a hospital (compared to people who report not knowing or pursuing purpose)! That is a significant! The research is new, so the 'whys' and 'hows' of this relationship are still under investigation. However, it is startling to realize that knowing how to make meaning in our lives is not only crucial to our happiness, but also to our physical health!
We are living in a time when many are likely to be questioning their sense of purpose, given the year long battle with a pandemic, civil and political unrest, and the fallout from all three. Or maybe, you are just too tired from the struggle this past year, and exploring, preparing or pursuing purpose doesn't seem to fit in your life right now. I would argue that survival during a pandemic (providing for and protecting yourself, your family) IS purpose. It may be that you have had to put previously held priorities for your purpose-driven life on hold, replacing it with the very real purpose of survival. That is one example of making a shift in purpose.
Research on well-being and purpose tells us that one important factor in navigating purpose across adulthood is the very real fact that purpose can change, should change, and that our well-being is connected to our willingness to flexibility and openness to that change -whether the change is our own choice or has been forced upon us by other people or circumstance. Like a pandemic. Or political upheaval. Or civil unrest. Or social injustices. These can cause shifts in our purpose, whether we invited it or not. Pushing back on those circumstances, or that internal restlessness that might be a signal it is time for change, well, that is going to detract from your well-being. Listening to that internal signal, or facing those external circumstances that might be signaling the need for change might be frightening, but also might be the key to new opportunities and adventures, and well-being.
Of course, there are times when you must push through adversity while pursuing something meaningful, and only you can really know when it is appropriate to push through the adversity, or recognize that the adversity might be telling you it is time for a change. Being open to that change is the key -even if you choose not to alter your course.
I remember when my children were young, and my purpose was focused on motherhood. As they started growing older, going off to college, leaving the nest, my role as mother changed, and my purpose in life also changed. If I had clung to my sense of purpose as their mother, and refused to make adjustments, they would have been annoyed by my overbearing role in their lives, like an uninvited guest at a party. That would have been unsatisfying for all of us. Thankfully, I had some professional goals that had been simmering for quite some time, and were a part of my shifting purpose as my children grew more independent!
Many parents experience this required shift as their children leave the nest, and research tells us that resisting that shift can result in marital and life dissatisfaction. So, move on we must! Shift your sense of purpose! Create new meaning!
This past year has been filled with so much chaos. It is reasonable that many would question their purpose. It could be that this chaos has helped you find a cause that is meaningful to you, and that engaging with that cause provides a new sense of fulfillment for you - a new purpose. It could be that this chaos has resulted in a shift in life perspective, a new awareness, or a shift in your values: Any of these can then result in a shift in purpose. What previously seemed incredibly meaningful to you may pale in comparison to the issues we are facing today. That is okay! As long as we are open to changes in our sense of meaning, like twists and turns in the road, our lives can remain full of intention, rich with meaning and purpose, keeping us healthy and happy as we venture on this incredible journey.
If you feel like all of your effort is invested in staying afloat right now, the rest of this will be waiting for you after life has settled down. There is hope that the pandemic will be under control to some degree, soon. More and more people are getting vaccinated every day, and summer of this year will hopefully be a time when many of us have been able to get 'the jab'. Meanwhile, we can all spend a few moments thinking about why we are here on this planet, what our reason for existence is right now, and what it might be in the future, both near and far. Be open to those twists and turns in the road. Your future self will thank you. Your happiness, and now it seems your physical heath, depend on it.
Meanwhile...
Be well, stay safe, and take care.
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