Embracing Authenticity: The People Pleaser's Guide to Finding Purpose
Sep 16, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Stocklane
Do you know that feeling when you’re driving in the car and all of a sudden realize that you’ve arrived at your destination? But you don’t even remember going from Point A to Point B? It feels like that when you drift along from day to day, not really sure what you did during all those waking hours. It sounds as if you may need some encouragement to find more purpose in your life. This can be especially challenging when you’re a people pleaser: worried about what people will say or fearful of being judged. In other words, you could use a boost of confidence. Consider this: instead of passively accepting what comes your way, become more comfortable with uncovering your true passions. Interested? Read more about discovering what living an authentic life has to do with purpose, the positive impact it has on your health, and the first steps you can take toward finding your personal purpose.
Living Your Truth
If you’re interested in wellness, you may have read or heard someone say “learn to live your truth”. It can sound a little intimidating, can’t it? Or perhaps overly vague. In essence, it means to live your life in a way that brings you happiness and joy. Embrace your authentic self: the one who lives the way she wants to, not the way the world expects her to. Truth, genuineness, reliable, self-discovery, realistic, and acceptance of others. These are words closely linked to what authenticity is about. All of the ingredients needed to discover what purpose in your life looks like right now.
Why is Purpose Important to Your Health?
Various medical studies suggest that having a purpose in life reduces our risk of physical and/or mental decline as we age. It helps us stay both physically and mentally fit. A Harvard study found that a greater sense of purpose in life was linked to an increase in physical activity. And we know that physical activity has a positive effect on our sleep, happiness, and lower levels of stress. Further, those with a strong sense of purpose in their lives had better overall well-being, lower risk of heart disease, and lived longer. All of which is great motivation to begin charting your personal path of purpose.
Four Things You Can Do Now
Discovering what your unique purpose in life is shouldn’t be rushed. And it can be frustrating if we can’t quite put our finger on it right away. Below are a few ideas that may help you out. Don’t try and do all four things at once. Rather, read and choose one or two options that speak to you.
- Grab a journal or some post-it notes and find a quiet spot in your home or outside. Write down what brings a smile to your face-such as volunteering at a local charity, joining a book club, or dressing in bright colors. Jot down the compliments others have given you. Keep doing this consistently, and eventually, you’ll zero in on what fills you with joy.
- Keep on Moving. Nurture your mind-body connection when walking, stretching, or practicing Pilates/Yoga. The more you move physically, the more space you create to notice ideas and emotions moving along with you. If you listen carefully, you may even have an “aha” moment.
- Don’t feel the need to look to the past. As we travel along life’s path, our ambitions and priorities may change. Be open to discovering the unique gifts you have now that you’d like to share with the world.
- Hang around friends, colleagues, or family members who have a great sense of passion, genuineness, and joy. Listen to their stories and what you can learn from them. Do they balance out a ho-hum job by having an Etsy gig? How do they let go of worrying about what others thought of them? Being around positive people tends to make you feel more positive.
As time goes by notice how uncovering your purpose impacts how you feel. Do you feel less stressed? Has it improved your relationship with others? Are you more inspired to exercise?
Last, if you sometimes feel intimidated by embracing your authentic self, remind yourself of what Piglet said to Pooh Bear: “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”
