Do you have Purpose Anxiety?

Rethinking Purpose

We hear about purpose everywhere these days.
People say things like “Find your calling,” “Live your best life,” “Make an impact,” or “Leave a legacy.”

Purpose has become this big “P word” that everyone is chasing, yet so many people still feel stuck.

As a Certified Career Management Coach and High Performance Coach, I have worked with hundreds of people in transition. People stepping into new chapters, changing careers, or simply wondering, “What’s next for me?”

Again and again, I see the same thing: purpose anxiety. That feeling that if you do not have it all figured out, you are somehow failing.

I have felt it too. That sense that I should know where I am going, but instead I feel lost, searching for something without even knowing what that something is.

And it makes sense. For a long time, we have been taught that purpose is something we have to find.

So if you have ever felt lost, or like you should have it figured out by now, you are not alone.

But what if purpose is not something you find?
What if it is something you create through intention, action, and reflection?

Watch the video version here:

The Tale of the Three Rivers

There is a story I love that speaks beautifully to this idea.

A young traveler was wandering along a riverbank, unsure of where to go. He saw an old woman sitting by the water and said,
"I do not know where to go. I am lost."

The woman smiled and pointed to the three rivers in front of them.

"Look at these rivers," she said.
"One flows straight and strong toward the sea, never wavering. Another twists and turns through valleys, pausing to form lakes before continuing its journey. The third disappears underground at times, only to resurface in unexpected places. Yet all three reach the ocean in the end."

The traveler asked, "Okay, but which one is the right path?"

The woman laughed softly.
"Ah, that is the illusion. There is no one right path, only the one that is yours. Some people know early on where they are headed. Others explore many landscapes before finding their way. And some believe they have lost their way entirely, only to emerge stronger and wiser. But all rivers flow. Their purpose is not about the destination, it is the movement itself."

And that is the key.

Purpose anxiety often comes from believing there is a single right path. But what if purpose is not about picking the perfect path?
What if it is about setting an intention, taking aligned action, and reflecting along the way?

When you do not feel clear on your direction, it can feel frustrating, like standing at a crossroads with no sign telling you where to go.

But what if the sign is not out there?
What if it is already within you?

I do not have all the answers, but I believe you have an inner teacher that does.

Action Step: Looking Back to Move Forward

Let us connect with that inner teacher through a short reflection exercise.

I invite you to consider a time when you felt fully alive.

It could be a moment of deep connection with someone you love, a challenge you overcame, or any experience that felt deeply meaningful.

Once you have that moment, imagine yourself floating back into it, looking through your own eyes.
See what you saw.
Hear what you heard.
Feel what you felt, maybe joy, freedom, curiosity, or excitement.

Now ask yourself:

• What made that moment meaningful?
• What is calling you forward right now?
• What have you been ignoring that keeps pulling you back?

Take a moment to jot down what comes up.

Once you have reflected, choose one small action you can take today to bring more of those meaningful moments into your life.

For example:
If you realized you feel most alive when helping others, what is one way you can show up today?
Even just texting a friend about what came up for you can solidify the insight and help you move forward.

It could also be something like:

• Reaching out to someone who inspires you

• Setting aside ten minutes to journal

• Signing up for a class that sparks your curiosity

The Story of Russ Cook

There is a story I love about a man named Russ Cook. He set a massive goal of running the entire length of Africa, 10,125 miles, or about 386 marathons.

I followed his story, watching his videos with my boyfriend Santi every week. At first, he admitted he was not entirely clear on the deeper purpose behind his goal. He just knew he wanted to challenge himself and see what he was capable of. So he set the intention and took action, averaging around 30 miles a day for more than a year.

Along the way, he faced immense challenges such as being robbed at gunpoint, major health scares, visa issues, and running through the arid Sahara Desert. There were moments when he questioned everything, wondering, “Why am I even doing this?”

But after taking time to reflect, he realized it was not just about running. It had become something much bigger, inspiring others to challenge their own limits and raising money for causes greater than himself.

He did not wait for clarity. He created it.
And you can too.

You Are the Purpose

At the end of the day, purpose is not out there somewhere waiting for you to find it.
It is something you create through how you show up, the actions you take, and the reflections you make along the way.

So instead of waiting for a big “aha” moment, take one meaningful action today.

And if you would like to keep exploring, you might enjoy my video on Discovering Your Values (9-min, 25-sec). It will help you connect even more deeply with what truly matters to you.

Sending you love. 💜