How to Find Your Purpose: Why Action Beats Overthinking
As a psychotherapist, one of the most common questions I get asked is, "How do I find my purpose?"
It’s a profound question—and a complicated one—because “purpose” is one of those elusive concepts that’s difficult to pin down. As sentient beings, we’re wired to seek meaning, to attach significance to our lives and the world around us. Yet scholars and philosophers have long debated whether meaning actually exists outside of our own minds. Some argue that meaning is purely a human construct—a byproduct of our intellect—while others believe in an inherent, objective meaning and purpose to life.
While those existential debates are fascinating, they’re far beyond the scope of today’s post. Instead, I want to offer a simpler, more practical perspective on discovering your own life purpose.
One of the biggest misconceptions about purpose is that we can think our way into finding it.
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
Our thinking is inherently shaped—and limited—by our personal experiences. When your world has only been filled with a handful of roles (like being a student, a son or daughter, or working a part-time retail job), it’s impossible to imagine paths you've never encountered. For instance, if you’ve never had any exposure to the world of auto mechanics, you’d have no real way of knowing if that could be your passion or calling. Knowledge without experience is incomplete. True understanding only comes through direct action, practical knowledge.
And that’s the key: You don’t think your way to your purpose—you do your way there.
Action is the vehicle for discovery.
As you engage with life—trying new things, pursuing opportunities, saying yes to experiences—you start to learn more about yourself. You discover what you love, what you dislike, what excites you, and what you're willing (or unwilling) to endure. Through action, you gain clarity about what truly resonates with you.
Of course, taking action isn’t always easy. Fear, self-doubt, and perfectionism can all stand in the way. (Fear, by the way, is such an important topic that I’ll be dedicating a future blog post entirely to overcoming it—stay tuned!)
In the meantime, I challenge you:
Take more action.
Experiment.
Explore.
Evaluate your emotional responses to the activities you engage in. Notice what feels energizing and what feels depleting. The more you move, the more you'll discover the path that feels like your own.
Purpose isn’t found in a thought; it’s revealed through lived experience. Start living—and trust that clarity will come.
All The Best,
Your Therapist Ed
