Is There More to Life Than This? Absolutely!

If you find yourself asking "is there more to life than this?", chances are you're feeling lost, stuck, or lacking purpose and fulfillment in your life. You may have fallen into the trap of believing that the ultimate goal in life is to be happy, and that finding meaning and purpose is the key to achieving that happiness. But what does it really mean to have purpose, and how can it change your life for the better?

Picture waking up in the morning feeling dread and going through the motions of your day just to get through it. You may feel lost, confused, lacking direction, or even just bored. Without any meaning and purpose, you do this over and over again, until inevitably you ask yourself, “is there more to life than this?” 

But what if another person were going through the same motions, but had a sense of purpose and meaning in their life? They never ask if there's more to life because they're at peace with their lives. They wake up excited for what the day has to teach them, see challenges as opportunities to grow, and go to bed feeling grateful for the day and the people in their lives.

The difference between these two scenarios is purpose. Finding your purpose in life doesn't have to be a heavy and difficult task. It can actually be quite light and easy. By shifting your perspective and the way you look at purpose, you can change and lighten your life, and stop asking yourself, "is there more to life than this?" 

As someone who has experienced the search for purpose and happiness, I know that it can also be a distraction from deeper emotional issues that need to be addressed. It took me years to realize that my purpose wasn't some grand destination that I had to reach to feel fulfilled. Once I let go of that idea, I was finally able to start healing all the things that were really holding me back in life. Stopping the search for purpose can propel you forward in some pretty amazing ways. 

I want to save you from wasting years of your life searching for your purpose. Instead let's figure it out together now and get you moving forward instead of spinning in place. A truly meaningful life is not about accumulating material possessions or chasing external validation. It's about finding your inner truth and living in alignment with it. By doing so, you can answer the question, "is there more to life than this?" with a resounding, "yes!"

Figure Out What You Want and Find Your “More” in Life

To answer the question, "is there more to life?", the first step is to figure out what you do want, and stop focusing on what you don't. The very nature of the question implies that you feel like something is missing in your life. However, if you continue to focus on what's missing, you'll never find your answer. 

Instead, let's get curious and figure out what you want your purpose to be. No more pondering about your purpose, it's time to take action and make a change. It's time to stop making it hard and heavy, and start believing that it can be easy.

So, how do you figure out what you want in life? Let's explore some steps to help you find your "more". 

Is There More to Life Than This? Get Curious

To find more meaning and purpose in life, it's essential to embrace your curiosity. Curiosity is an expression of your inner truth, and it serves as a catalyst for personal growth and exploration. When you let it guide you, exciting new experiences, knowledge, and perspectives await. But how can you tap into your curiosity and make it work for you?

Start by asking questions - lots of them. Let's get curious and answer the question, "is there more to life than this?" Take a few minutes to sit with yourself and see what comes up. Don't be afraid to answer this question. The answer is within you, and sometimes we just need to take the time to listen. 

We often ask questions but forget to answer them, or we fear what we will have to do if we actually do answer them. Our brains like safety and predictability, so sometimes we need to get out of our own way in order to start living the lives we desire. 

But before we can move forward, we may also need to ask better questions. The question "is there more to life than this?" is not necessarily a useful question because it keeps us focused on the lack we feel. Instead, we need to define what we mean by "this." What is it exactly that you are looking for? If there was more to life, how would you know? What would that look like for you? 

For some people, the "more" they are looking for is happiness. They may also think that they “should” be happy because they have a good job, a family, enough money…but they’re not. What does happiness mean to you? Is it really what you want? Sometimes we need to dig deeper to uncover what we truly desire in life. 

So, let's ask a better question. If I told you yes, there is absolutely more to life than this, what would make that true for you? What would allow you to feel that there is more to life? What is the "more" you are looking for? 

For example, when I found myself asking this question, "more to life" for me meant freedom, peace, meaning, and purpose. If I could feel these things, I wouldn't need to ask if there is more to life. 

We finally get to the point where we stop asking the question and start focusing on creating purpose and meaning instead. By embracing our curiosity and asking better questions, we can uncover what truly matters to us and find our "more" in life.

What is Purpose Anyway?

Let's talk about purpose. Defining purpose can be a bit tricky, but let's keep it simple. According to the dictionary, purpose is simply the reason that something exists. 

But what if the reason you exist is simply to exist? 

I was watching the ants outside one day, and started to envy them for their simplicity. I thought, man, look at these ants. They just exist. They know exactly what to do. They build their homes and gather their food without questioning their purpose or wondering if they were meant for something more. They are all living their purpose, which is just to exist on this earth until they don't. 

And just like the ants, what if this is it? What if we’re already living our purpose, and all we need to do is exist? 

Left with no purpose to find and fulfill, what if instead, we just get to decide how we want to experience our lives on this planet?

Who knows if this is really “true” or not. But what I do know is that deciding to believe that it is true has helped me move forward in life. It’s helped me stop spinning in my thoughts and going in circles, stuck in a hamster wheel and never actually moving. 

If you follow my blog, you know I’m passionate about remembering the wholeness that exists within you. This is exactly that. You’re already living your purpose. You’re already whole and complete. There’s nothing missing, and there’s nothing you NEED to do. 

So now, just imagine if you really believed this. Then what? What would you do differently? How would you live your life? By embracing the idea that you're already living your purpose, you can start deciding how you do want to experience your life and what is important for you.

Getting Curious About Your Purpose 

Let's continue our journey of curiosity and explore your specific purpose. If living a life of purpose is what you're after to experience that "more to life", let's get curious about what that means for you. 

Many people are constantly searching for their purpose without questioning why they need to find it. What does finding your purpose even mean? And if you did find it today, what would change in your life? How would you feel? What would your life look like? 

Instead of asking "what's my purpose?" a more productive question to ask is "when do I feel most purposeful?" This opens up more room for exploration and change and stops you from spinning in place and feeling lost. It invites you to recognize where it already exists in your life and gives you an idea of what to move towards to continue to see its presence in your life. 

When it comes to living a purposeful life, it's important to consider that purpose does not exist outside of you. It's not one elusive thing that you need to find, but something that can be fulfilled every day. It's not about what you do, but who you are being. By making your purpose about who you are being, you can fulfill your purpose every day, no matter what you are doing.

Define Your Overarching Purpose-Who do You Wish to BE?

For some people, their purpose may be love, while others may find purpose in growth, pushing themselves to be the best they can be. Maybe your purpose is just to know yourself fully, to understand the truth of who you are without the limiting beliefs that were programmed into you. When you know yourself, you are able to show up as authentically you. If you feel like your purpose needs to be some sort of contribution to the world, then give the gift of being uniquely you. This is the greatest contribution and one that only you can make.

By experiencing the wholeness that life has to offer, including its challenges and ups and downs, you can truly feel alive and fulfill your purpose. You may then be moved to make a positive impact in the world. When you are living in your truth, you will naturally bring that out in other people and contribute to increased consciousness in the world.

So, as you consider your purpose and how to live a purposeful life, remember that it's not necessarily about finding meaning, but about experiencing the feeling of being alive and being the best version of yourself. In that, you feel that life is meaningful.

For me, the weight was lifted when I realized my purpose is merely to grow. Now, I can feel purposeful in every moment of every day if I approach it and see it through a lens of being an opportunity to grow and learn more about myself so I can show up in the best way for others around me.

Taking away the burden that there is one specific thing you need to figure out and that it depends on the meaning of your entire existence can be liberating. You're already living your purpose. Now who do you want to BE while you’re doing that? 

There's absolutely more to life than just going through the motions; it's up to you to uncover the deeper meaning and purpose that lie at the heart of your existence.

Your Chosen Purpose

Above, we were focused on defining your overarching purpose, such as growth or love. Now, let's delve into your chosen purpose, which essentially serves as a goal through which you are able to express this overarching purpose in your daily life. 

Choosing a purpose can be daunting, but it's important to align with what truly matters to you. If you're wondering, "is there more to life?", start by picking an area in your life where you want to focus, such as relationships, career, health, or finances. Just pick one for now. You can always change it and pick something else later. 

To live your purpose in this area, write a positive sentence that reflects the outcome you want. For example, if you want to stop over-eating or drinking too much, you could write something like, "I want to have a healthy body." Remember to focus on what you want, not what you don't want.

Once you have your chosen purpose, it's important to make sure it's aligned with what you really want. Too often, we get caught up in chasing external success or conforming to societal expectations. But living authentically, in alignment with your own truth, is what truly matters.

To make sure your purpose is coming from a true place, consider the following:

1. Remember that nothing about you needs to be fixed. You are perfect just as you are, and your purpose is about what you want your experience to be. The same goes for your perceived faults, the only reason you should have for wanting to change them is so you can have a better life experience. Know that there's always a reason for your "faults". If you want to change (not fix!) them, get curious and have compassion for yourself in the process.

2. Everyone is 100% lovable and worthy. You are enough! There is no “better than.” At our cores, we are the same. If you find yourself judging another and thinking you are better than them, remember that most of us are living the effects of misguided thinking. Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have. This includes you and the moments where you may feel “less than”. What we DO is different from who we ARE. Have compassion for others and yourself. 

3. Remember, the goal is not to be happy or to love what you’re doing all the time. Happiness is not a product of living your purpose. It's a misconception that once you've discovered your purpose, happiness will magically appear and become a constant in your life. The reality is that life will still have its ups and downs. However, by being on your authentic path and focusing on what matters, you will experience deeper joy and a sense of fulfillment and inner peace. 

So, if your reason for choosing a purpose has anything to do with creating happiness or proving your worthiness, it's time to reassess. Your reason needs to be related only to the experience you want, just because you want to do it, not because it will finally bring you happiness or fix something that's wrong with you.

Shift Your Focus

Once you've identified what you truly want in life, it's time to shift your focus and prepare yourself to live your purpose. Here are a few tips to help you get into the right mindset as you go through your day-to-day life:

1. Change the way you look at challenges. Instead of seeing them as negative, see them as opportunities for growth. Every challenge is an opportunity to become stronger and smarter. When you expect challenges and look for meaning in them, you take the power away from the adversity and bring it back home to yourself-where you do have the power to create change. 

2. Change the way you see failure or regret. Failure is merely a learning opportunity, and success does not exist without it. Whenever you experience failure or regret, ask yourself what you can do in the future to be a better person because of it. If you don't find meaning in what you're doing, it can affect your wellness. 

3. Embrace feeling uncomfortable. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it's where real development happens. Whenever you feel scared or uncertain, remind yourself that this is a sign of progress, and you're on the right track. Learn to feel your feelings and you will increase your confidence in life. 

4. Bring awareness to what this shift has already uncovered for you. By doing so, you can find that old beliefs may already be on their way out as they contradict with this new way of living going forward. In my life for example, these simple shifts have helped ease my perfectionistic tendencies and took away my endless chase for happiness. If you’re a perfectionist but your purpose is to grow, you’ll have to welcome imperfection as those moments are your opportunities to grow. 

By following these tips, you can shift your focus and embrace the journey towards a more purposeful life. It's important to let go of external pressures, identify what actually resonates with your true self, and embrace the inevitable challenges and discomforts along the way. In doing so, you'll unlock your potential and be content knowing that you're focusing on what genuinely matters to you. 

Take Action and Stop Asking, “Is There More to Life Than This?”

It's not enough to simply think about the changes you want in your life; you have to actively pursue them. Don't just take all of this as an interesting concept and do nothing with it. Change occurs only from implementing what we learn and taking action. 

Are you ready to step up and make a real difference in your own life? If so, it's time to start taking concrete steps towards your goals.

Let's take the purpose you chose above. To make this purpose a reality, you need to get specific and clear on what it looks like and come up with a plan for what you need to do to start feeling purposeful every day.

For example, if your purpose is to have a healthy body, here are the steps you can take to create a plan of action:

1. Who do you need to be to fulfill this purpose in your life? Make a list of everything you can think of. So, for a healthly body, you might need to be determined, committed, and somebody who loves themselves and their body unconditionally. Somebody who isn't afraid of sitting with uncomfortable emotions and sees their obstacles as opportunities to grow.

After you make this list, spend some time figuring out how to be the kind of person you described and what that would entail for you. If it's a person who's committed, what steps can you take to create this emotion in your life now? If you were committed what would you be thinking, believing, and doing? Do this with any emotion you will need to feel. 

2. List everything you need to do to fulfill this purpose in your life and break each thing down into small steps. A specific plan will help you stay focused and motivated along the way. Think about the things you’ll need to learn and the skills you'll need to develop. For example, you might need to learn how to cook healthy meals or how to manage stress effectively. You can take classes or seek out resources to help you develop these skills. You’ll need to learn how to feel your feelings, manage your thoughts, and believe new things. You'll also need to cultivate trust in yourself and have unconditional love and compassion for yourself in the process. 

If your overarching purpose is to grow or work to truly know yourself and show up authentically, how can you apply this specifically to the purpose you have chosen? For example, if your purpose is to have a healthy body, how can you show up authentically in this area of your life? Maybe it means being honest with yourself about what foods make you feel good and what exercises you enjoy. Perhaps it means setting boundaries with people who don't support your healthy lifestyle. Or, maybe it means finding ways to make healthy living enjoyable and sustainable for you. By considering how your purpose can show up in specific areas of your life, you'll be better equipped to live it out and answer the question, "is there more to life?"

3. List your obstacles and what you will do to overcome them. Your brain is your biggest obstacle, it wants to be efficient and keep thinking and doing what it’s always done because it feels safe. It will be uncomfortable as you start to make changes. 

This is where your purpose to grow really comes into play. It's about taking on these obstacles as challenges and opportunities to grow and learn more about yourself. So, when your goal is to have a healthy body and you overeat, you now get to be curious about why you overate and work to overcome that.

If you can’t think of all the obstacles right now, you could also make this list as you go as different obstacles arise. When you're reflecting back on a perceived failure, make a plan for how you will handle it if it happens again.

4. Get clear on what you want to accomplish and by when. Enter the things you listed above into your calendar and set deadlines for yourself. This step will help you stay accountable and motivated. It's important to have specific deadlines so that you can measure your progress and adjust your plan accordingly. You will need to focus on one thing at a time and don’t allow yourself to get stuck in overwhelm by focusing on too much at once.

5. During the process, it's essential to reflect on your achievements and evaluate how your plans are working out. Are you living in alignment with how you want to purposefully spend your time? Be gentle with yourself and avoid being overly critical. Consider the progress you've made and adjust your goals or methods if needed. 

Remember, taking action is a continuous process, and you'll learn valuable lessons along the way. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress. With a purpose-driven mindset and a plan of action, you're well on your way to living a more purposeful and meaningful life. So, go ahead and take that first step towards your goals. You've got this! By taking action and living your purpose, you'll no longer need to ask the question, "is there more to life?" You'll be too busy living it.

I hope I've made it seem possible for you to start living your purpose today. No more searching for meaning and asking whether there is more to life than this. You need to get out there and create it! All you need to do is figure out what you want, start focusing on that, and then take action, and you will create meaning in your life and feel fulfilled. 

Remember, the answer to any question you find yourself asking is within you. Get curious, ask better questions, and trust your inner wisdom to guide you on your journey towards a more meaningful life.

When I decided that my purpose isn't just one thing, but that it's to grow, everything changed. I realized that the reason I wanted to grow was not to be happy but so I could feel peace and meaning in my life. That way when the inevitable negative emotions arise, the spinning in my head starts, and my inner critic gets after me for how I'm doing everything wrong, I don't create more pain by believing this shouldn't be happening and that I'm supposed to be happy. Instead, I feel an underlying peace in the struggle, that this is how it's supposed to be. I'm on the right path. And I get to keep growing in the process by digging deeper into these messages I'm receiving.

I hope that you choose to walk with me on this journey to believing that there is absolutely more to life than "this." Let's create our own meaning and purpose and live our best lives!