What’s The Purpose of All This Anyway?
Is it just me, or do you also have days (especially as you get older) where you ask yourself, What is the point of all this? What is my purpose here on Earth? Am I making a difference? And wait for it — is this really it??
That’s what I woke up thinking about this morning. It was one of those erm deep, 3 AM kinds of thoughts that stick with you, the kind that has you questioning everything while you’re making your morning coffee.
My life’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. I started in law, hoping to change the world, then shifted gears into the fast-paced world of banking and finance. I was riding high on what I thought was my purpose, chasing what I believed was success.
But deep down, something just didn’t feel right. Don’t get me wrong — when I was in the thick of it, working on the trading floor, it felt good. It fed my ego and afforded me a lavish lifestyle. But eventually, the joy, purpose, and meaning that I once found in it began to fade.
Then life threw some curveballs. Losing my mother was a turning point. Grief has this way of making you see life through a different lens. It forces you to focus on what truly matters. It wasn’t the first time I’d faced an unexpected and devastating personal loss, but this precious loss stripped everything back to what was essential.
You see, I’ve always been the ‘strong one’ in my circle, the person everyone leans on. But tbh inside, there are days when I feel adrift, like a ship lost at sea. Depression, loneliness, sadness… these are real emotions that we often mask with busyness or a smile.
Mental health is indeed a complex and deeply personal journey. It involves confronting and questioning our worth.
But through my journey of self-realization, I’ve learned that showing vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s human. It connects us and makes us real to each other. Honestly, it’s a relief to just be open about it.
So, as I write this post, it’s more than just sharing thoughts. It’s about being authentic with you and with myself. We’re all on a journey to find our purpose. Not the ‘conquering the world’ kind, but the ‘finding joy in today’ kind.
My mentor once told me something that has stuck with me: purpose isn’t what you do that gives you meaning; it’s the meaning you give to what you do. It’s not about finding purpose in doing, but in being. It’s something internal to be recognized and nurtured. Because once we know who we are, we become purposeful in what we do and how we show up in the world.
That was another ‘AHA’ moment for me! It means that our everyday actions, our conversations, our small wins, and even our struggles, all have meaning.
I recently watched a show on Netflix where a group of 40-something women friends sat on a beach, pondering their lives and the choices they made. One of them said she believed that birds sing every morning, probably thinking their song makes the sun rise. It’s like this for everyone — this innate need to find a purpose in their existence, even if it's complete bullsh*t!!. It made me laugh — but t’was beautifully profound.
In our quest to find purpose, it’s okay not to have all the answers. Sometimes the purpose of having a purpose is to keep us moving, exploring, and growing.
So here’s to embracing our quests — no matter how small or ordinary they might seem. Whether it’s writing an article, creating something, being there for someone, or just getting through the day — it’s all part of our purpose, helping the sun rise in our little corner of the world.
