What is your purpose in life that no one and nothing can take away from you?

[JanisMoplin]

The last two years have just been a series of losses for me, as for many of us. I am now in the process of trying to find something that no one can take away from me, come Covid, hell or highwater. Something that I can do on my own without relying on anyone in this era of social distancing. DC are grown and don't need me. DH is a very quiet man with a v stressful job. So I strike out on my own.

This purpose used to be reading. At one point in my life I used to read two or three books a week and belonged to 3 book clubs. Somewhere in the pandemic, I have forgotten to read.

Then I took up walking and got really into it. But lately, the weather has been shit and I need something else for when it's pissing down outside
I volunteer at a heritage site, but if we are in lockdown again, that may go away.:(

I would like everyone else love to travel, but....

See a theme? What is your purpose ?

crumpets that's adorable!!

Art
Making cards
Knitting
Sewing
Gardening

I run and walk the dog

Get a dog!

Cats.

Just cats. Especially wonky second hand cats.

Some lovely posts here but @FinallyHere I think you win the thread!

I love pets, but for various reasons can't have any right now.

Being curious, learning and continuing to improve myself in all areas of my life.

I agree it is an interesting question. I am fascinated by habit formation and improving my productivity in the most important areas of my life. I have been reading The One Thing which, at its heart, is proposing that all of our 'to do' list should be constructed around our defining purpose/identity, such as 'I am a leader/a runner/a reader/a great parent'. If the main bulk of how you spend your time is making progress towards who you want to be, other things fall into place, and become easier.

To be more me. To be the me I was created to be. Right now, that’s to be the best parent, friend, daughter, carer that I can be. At other times that’s included working, being a student, volunteer rôles, crafting, writing, etc. right now, it’s mostly parenting (medically complicated children). At some point in the future, that’ll involve more aspects of different parts of me. But for now; advocate, encourager, educator, carer, friend.

Most Fridays (my day off) I get up really early and run up a nearby fell. I do it in all seasons, throughout the year and it really clears my head. This week I set off with my head torch, by the time I'd go to the top it was all snowy and the sun was rising and it was just beautiful (makes up for the howling gale, sideways rain that usually happens).

to be content with who I am, what I have and how I look. My contentment does not depend on my job, career, relationships or status etc but who I am; the authentic, real me, this has been hard. but I am enough and good enough the way I am. while I love reading and education and travel and cooking I do not need to strive to keep up with the Joneses or to have a bigger better car because most people with job do, I have enough possessions I do not need more unless I want to, I am over 50 I am not trying to look under 40 my hair and skin are nice but I'm overweight and could be fitter i am trying to change this and be healthier but this doesn't affect my contentment or self believe, I try to be a good worker, wife, mother daughter friend etc but I am not perfect but I try to be the best I can be without neglecting ,yself or allowing others to use me or cross my boundaries. It has taken years to get here but I think contentment is great
The Bible says "Godliness with contentment is great gain " if you say goodness instead I think trying to be a good person and being content makes you feel happymaybe peaceful inside a happiness that goes beyond "happy events" as pain sadness and illness affects us all

My cats.

We have six acres of, mainly larch, woodland that we love spending time in. We do a lot of clearing that allows for the young beech trees to establish. I like seeing the wood change through the seasons and how the different plants, birds and fungi come and go.

Contentment
Gratitude
Learning new things

I guess my purpose has always been to be open and curious about life in general, and to become the best person I can be (although I have a long way to go and make lots of mistakes). I try to never let my career or my relationships define me, I always see them as more of a decoration on my own 'cake of me' - if that makes sense If the cake isn't any good, no matter what gets stuck on top it will always be a shitty cake.

For hobbies Tai Chi has been my go to for a while. I love that even once you have learned the form, there are so many subtle layers to learn to improve it. I do the Yang style 103 Form which is 103 movements (some are repeated) and it breaks down into sections so if I am pressed for time I can just do say 1, 2 or 3 sections instead of the whole form. The way it has improved my physical balance, coordination, flexibility and core strength is wonderful, but best of all is the wonderful sense of peace and calm I feel at the end of a session. I can do it anywhere too, indoors or outdoors which makes it super easy to do even on wet days in winter. The big plus was also that I learned it for free from utube videos. Doing it has really made a positive difference to my MH during this covid pandemic.

Mine is my work- I work with vulnerable teens and try and keep them in school.

Also want to find something other than work and my kids… so will read with interest

I know you've said you couldn't get into it, but for me it's hiking.
I live on the edge of a national park. Strapping my boots on and disappearing up a mountain for 2 hours makes me feel totally alive and is my absolute favourite thing to do.

Anything can be taken from you at any moment. Life is fragile.

My family, cats, and books

To be a good parent because mine were sh.......... Rubbish!! And to be kind and calming to other people💞

Probably yoga. I reached a point a few years ago where I thought I should keep it up, as cumulatively I've put a lot of hours in without realising it.

Kindness and positivity.
I like to think I’m a nice, kind person who always leave people feeling a little bit happier after spending time with me. I just want to be a little ray of sunshine in everyone’s life.

Thanks everyone. Some good ideas here. I think I have terrible Covid ennui. Nothing seems to give me much pleasure anymore.

janis the pleasure will come back of it's own accord but for now, focus on meaningful rather than enjoyable. It's funny how it tends to circle back.

Creativity, especially making thing, especially sewing/textile stuff. I often don't have time which is hugely frustrating as I always have plans and projects on the go, but they have to wait. But I know they're there and that eventually I'll have some time. It makes me feel so much better if I can make something, whatever is stressing me out.

@SpeckyWithTheGoodHair

Cats.

Just cats. Especially wonky second hand cats.

🤣 our household has had many a wonky second-hand cat!

I think that to reveal the true secret of your soul makes it/you vulnerable to having it taken so I’ll keep mine tucked away next to my superstitions

Mine is hiking too. I am trying to tick off all the Wainwrights and have mainly been using a guide. But then I met a new man who spent a lot of time in the TA and who has been teaching me navigation, night nav, and micro nav. It’s been a godsend - I now have more confidence to go out in the hills on my own, and I practice with a local OS map during lunchtimes or after tea. That, connected with a definitive right of way map of your local area means you can discover all kinds of secret places.

NONE of the above would have been possible if I hadn’t spent a couple of hundred quid on decent walking boots, waterproof trousers and a waterproof coat. With those on, or in my rucksack, I feel prepared for anything.

Mine is my career (I am a teacher). But I don't think nothing or no one could take that away from me really. But, as well as my dh and children, it feels like a wonderful purpose and is something I get a lot of fulfilment from.