To ask how you would define the purpose of your life?

[HoneyandHaycorns]

Well, just that really.

I am feeling slightly rudderless at the moment, and not quite sure what I want from life. So I just wondered what other people think it's all about? And if most people actually have a sense of purpose, or if they just drift along and go with the flow.

ambitions are different to definitions.

definitions - define and constrict you
ambitions - stretch and direct you.

The OP asked about defining your purpose in life... thereby putting yourself in a box that you ultimately have no control of.

mateymoo of course the waters can get quite choppy. Sometimes that can add to the fun. Other times the waters can be dangerous but your purpose/your goals will see you through.

Setting off with no destination whatsover will most certainly lead to you hitting the rocks.

I think I've pushed this metaphor as far as I can now .

Personally, I think it's better to think of ones purpose quite widely. Too narrow and you limit yourself. Keep it wide and it can encompass all manner of things. Things you never opened your mind and heart to before.

As for not meeting your goals, well of course you don't meet them all. But the robust will just dust themselves off and start again. This is a life skill I imbue in my DC every day of their lives.

Fear of failure is undertsandable but corrosive.

Agree about definitions.

Saying 'I want to be a good Mum' is pointless. What does it even mean?
Ask yourself what you actually trying to achieve and how you will go about it. Then parent consciously with the end in mind. Don't worry if this takes you out of the norm of what a 'good Mum' might be.

Personally, I think it's better to think of ones purpose quite widely. Too narrow and you limit yourself. Keep it wide and it can encompass all manner of things. Things you never opened your mind and heart to before.

I wholeheartedly agree.... dont define yourself, dont constrict yourself, dont waste your time trying to define what or who you are... just be!

I want to write, and for people to read what I write.

I want my research to produce good, interesting and useful results (it's relevant - hopefully - to early-stage drug discovery in cancer research).

I want to give a happy home and a good life to my dogs, and in my lifetime look after as many rescue dogs as I reasonably can, and support rescue efforts with donations and fundraising. This is the one closest to my heart.

Maybe to have a child and do my best to produce a useful future member of society!

To be a good person, I guess, to be able to look back on my life in years to come, and say I did my best, I wasn't held back from doing the right thing or living a full life by fear or laziness or greed etc.

I would love to have a career with a purpose but I still have no idea what that career would be or how I'd go about getting it.

In my personal life my purpose is for me and my daughter to be as happy as possible.

My ambitions are to become financially independent so I concentrate on my passions one day and escape the drudgery. And I would like to see as much of the world as possible, I've seen a bit but there is still a lot to explore.

happybubble it sounds as if a career that involves travel would be a good start.
Now that is lovely and wide and could include everything from a lawyer, to a EFL teacher, to a nanny, to a tour guide, to a ...

It's going to be different for everyone.

For a long time I thought my purpose was to have a career. I worked hard at it then had to change my direction due to circumstance.

AS a mother, I thought my purpose was to be the best mother I could be, which seemed to extend to being a nurturer to people generally. Did this a little too well perhaps but have some strong friendships as a result...

Then I realised I was bored and frustrated and that happy personal relationships was not enough. I wanted a sense of personal fulfilment. I'm working on that now and getting somewhere with it. I've had to think out of the box to achieve it because of my circumstances (no family support, no partner, etc) but it's been good for me and I feel better about my life now that at any other point.

None of these things alone are enough. I need them all as they all enable me to like the person I see in the mirror every morning.

My overarching purpose of life is to appreciate and make the most of each and every moment in the moment. I then apply this to all my life goals eg write a book, provide DD with happy memories, spend quality time with DH, keep fit through running, and more. I suffered from cancer for several years a few years ago and "living and appreciating the moment" is the big lesson I learned from that experience.

I agree with sunshineandbooks that the answer to the OP's question has changed for me over time. I worked hard to qualify and progress in my career. Now I'm a SAHM and have obviously put my career on the sidelines for my DCs (and for myself, as this is what I want too). My DCs are still small (youngest is 2), so in the future I guess I will need to find a balance between work and family life. I am aware that may be a challenge - so in a few years OP I may be posting this too!

Good luck with finding your next steps in life.

We're meant to have a purpose?

Epic Fail.

@ ParanoidAndroid