Forget the hustle for more—what if the secret to true fulfillment is already within you, waiting to be discovered? Here’s why purpose is the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

Let’s be honest for a second. We’ve all fallen into the trap, right? You know, the one where we’re convinced that if we just achieve more, we’ll finally be happy. If we just hit that next milestone—whether it’s getting the promotion, hitting 10k followers, or fitting into those old jeans—life will magically fall into place.

But then what happens? We get there, and the happiness is fleeting, if it shows up at all. And so, we move the goalposts again, thinking, “Maybe the next achievement will finally be it.”

Spoiler: It won’t.

It’s not the job title, the money, or the Instagram likes that are missing. What we’re actually searching for is purpose. And trust me, I get it because I’ve been there. And maybe you’re feeling it right now too—like no matter how much you hustle, something’s still… off.

The Purpose Gap

Here’s the truth: Without a deeper sense of purpose, everything else can feel a little hollow. Even if you hit every goal, without knowing why you’re doing it, the victory can feel strangely empty.

We live in a world where external success is king. Society tells us to hustle, to do more, get more, be more. But let’s pause for a second and ask—more what? Because in chasing all these things, we’re losing sight of what really matters: meaning, fulfillment, purpose.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, said that having a purpose is essential to our mental well-being. He wasn’t talking about getting promoted or nailing your morning routine. He meant something much deeper. Frankl saw firsthand that purpose is what keeps us going in the darkest times—it’s the thing that grounds us, even when life feels chaotic.

Why We Feel So Lost

So, why do so many of us feel like we’re spinning our wheels? One word: disconnection. We’re more digitally connected than ever, but when was the last time you felt truly connected—to yourself, to others, or to something bigger than your daily to-do list?

Let’s talk numbers. The teenage suicide rate has jumped by over 50% in the last decade. Anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. And it’s not just young people—millions of adults are feeling disconnected, too. We’re trying to fill that emptiness with more—more stuff, more success, more approval—but it’s not working.

A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people who chase material goals (like money and status) report higher levels of anxiety and depression. So yeah, maybe buying that shiny new thing isn’t the answer after all.

We’re bombarded by social media, constantly comparing our lives to the highlight reels of others, but it’s leaving us feeling lonelier and more disconnected than ever. A study in JAMA Psychiatry even found that social media use is directly linked to rising suicide rates among teens. Why? Because when you’re constantly comparing yourself to others’ filtered, edited lives, you start believing you’re falling short.

The Missing Ingredient: Purpose

What if instead of focusing on more, we started focusing on meaning? That’s where purpose comes in. And guess what? It’s not as far away as it feels.

Having a sense of purpose doesn’t mean you’ll never have problems again (because, spoiler, life still happens). But it does mean that when things get tough, you’re not completely knocked off course. You have something bigger guiding you. Research in the Journal of Positive Psychology shows that people with a strong sense of purpose can handle stress better and feel more grounded overall.

Think of purpose as your North Star—it’s what guides you through the challenges, and helps you get back up when life knocks you down. It’s what makes the hard days feel worth it.

How to Find Your Purpose (Hint: It’s Closer Than You Think)

I get it—“finding your purpose” can sound overwhelming. But here’s the thing: It’s not about having some big revelation. It’s about paying attention to the little moments that light you up.

Ask yourself:

  • What makes you feel alive?
  • When do you feel most connected to yourself and others?
  • What are you doing when time just seems to disappear?

Sometimes it’s in the smallest of things—helping a friend through a tough time, creating something that feels meaningful, or simply spending time with the people who matter most to you. Purpose doesn’t have to be tied to a grand achievement. It’s about feeling connected to what truly matters.

And here’s a secret: once you stop chasing more and start chasing meaning, everything shifts. The pressure to constantly “level up” fades away, and you realize that you’re enough, exactly as you are.

Conclusion: You Don’t Need More, You Need Purpose

At the end of the day, purpose isn’t about achieving the next big thing or getting more stuff. It’s about living in alignment with who you really are and what really matters to you.

When you live with purpose, you stop chasing after the things society says you need to be happy. You stop comparing yourself to others. You stop feeling like you’re always falling short. Instead, you start living with intention. You start waking up excited about what’s ahead, knowing that you’re moving in the right direction—even if you don’t have it all figured out yet.

So, if you’ve been feeling like something’s missing, maybe it’s not about doing more. Maybe it’s about reconnecting with yourself and your purpose. Because that’s the thing that will truly fill the gap.

I created a 7 day guide to help you find more clarity and purpose in your life. Check it out here.