This article was written by Ellie, 20.
Thousands of young people feel lost due to the upheaval in their lives, desperately trying to find meaning. But don’t worry, a guiding light exists that may just be the cure- a sense of purpose.
Purpose provides your life with meaning. It gives you a reason to get out of bed and carry on in tough times. But what if you feel as though you lack a purpose? Let me reassure you that this is a very common and almost universal feeling.
Meaning can be found through many ways, and I will outline some plausible ones below...
Volunteering
One great way to give meaning to your life is to give back to others! Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect to your local community, meet new people, and contribute towards an excellent cause by providing a service. The feeling that you’re helping something bigger than yourself is not only a great way to find purpose in your life, it’s a fantastic boost to your self-esteem as you can see the impact your work has on the community and the people you’re close to.
It is worth taking some time to research volunteering opportunities in your local area, but here are some organisations that often could use an extra pair of hands:
- Charity shops
- Animal rescue centres/shelters
- Local schools
- Nursing homes
Online communities
The online world is ever present. It seems like everyone has a social media account nowadays to showcase themselves and their interests. This is a great thing! You can meet people online who you share common interests and experiences with, and find a place of community with likeminded people who you can relate to.
For those struggling with their identities, there are also communities that help young people understand their development and answer any questions you may have. These online spaces are a great way to seek support if you are unsure of yourself, or simply if you want a safe space free from marginalisation.
Of course, amidst the online communities you may encounter some hate speech or disturbing content. It is important to remain safe when you are engaging with others online at all times. By practicing safe online behaviours (not providing identifying personal information such as your address) you can keep others and yourself comfortable.
Join a club
If online communities don’t appeal to you, then you’re in luck! Community is all around you, in the form of clubs that speak to your interests. Engaging with others who share your interests can lead to further enrichment, enjoyment and can even foster some relationships that provide meaning in your life, and validate your interests. The group you join may even help you stay on top of fitness goals by encouraging physical activity.
On the other hand, you could always join a club to try out something new! Many groups offer a taster session for you to test out if you mesh with a particular hobby or experience. You never know, you might just stumble across your next biggest obsession.
Some potential clubs could be:
- Dance club/classes
- Book club
- Gaming club
- Drama club/group
- Sports clubs (badminton, football etc)
If you’re a university student, you can often find the clubs offered through the student union’s website, commonly referred to as societies. Finding your purpose can be especially difficult when you start university, so joining a club is a great way to become involved and create a feeling of belonging.
You can do this!
I know that actually showing up to these opportunities can be very scary and nerve wracking. Remember that these places want people just like you there. Take a leap of faith, and trust yourself that it’ll all work out. You never know, your purpose could be right in front of you, waiting for you to reach out and grab it.
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