2024 is coming to an end, and, as with every year, many people are beginning to look back and reflect. Generally, we evaluate this period of time based on the goals we set at its beginning. Some of those goals we achieved, filling us with pride and gratitude; others were left behind, causing frustration or disappointment. Meanwhile, January appears on the horizon, and again, almost like a ritual, we prepare to set new goals.
But how do we choose those goals? What guides us in deciding what we want to achieve? This is where a key concept comes into play: purpose. In this post, we will explore what it means to live with purpose, how we can identify it, and, most importantly, how it impacts our mental health and emotional balance.
Defining our personal purpose is like activating an internal compass that guides us to make decisions more consistent with what we really want and value in life. When our goals are not aligned with that purpose, it’s easy to feel drained, unsatisfied, and unmotivated. On the other hand, having a clear purpose fosters mental and emotional balance because we perceive what we do as meaningful, and we face challenges with greater resilience. Scientific studies support this idea. For example, a meta-analysis conducted by Ian Boreham and Nicola Schutte in 2023 found that having a purpose in life negatively correlates with levels of depression and anxiety, demonstrating the strong connection between purpose and our mental health.
When it comes to discovering our purpose, it can be helpful to ask ourselves questions like: “What activities make me feel fulfilled and motivated?”, “What values are truly important to me?”, or “How do I want to contribute to the world or to the people around me?” If the answers don’t come immediately, we can engage in a reflection exercise at the end of the day to identify the moments or situations that made us feel most satisfied and connected, whether at work, with our family, or in our social life. Identifying these small moments can give us valuable clues about what truly drives us.
Once we identify our purpose, we need to keep it in mind when setting specific goals. These goals should be realistic, achievable, and, most importantly, meaningful for our well-being: goals that inspire and motivate us without creating unnecessary pressure. It’s essential to connect our goals to our emotional balance and well-being rather than focusing solely on external results or material achievements. Additionally, it’s helpful to set specific goals in different areas of our lives. Last year, for example, I divided my goals into seven categories: health, family, finances, work, personal growth, hobbies, and social life. In each category, I wrote three or four objectives that helped me maintain an overall balance.
Purpose is not something we find outside of ourselves or something someone dictates to us; it is something we discover within ourselves and that arises from personal reflection. That’s why it’s important to take a moment to think about what truly matters in our lives before setting our goals. In these days, as you sit down to reflect on the year that’s ending, take some time to also ask yourself: “Do the things I’m striving for truly connect with my purpose?” When your actions align with your purpose, not only are you more likely to achieve what you set out to do, but you also feel better about yourself. Emotional and mental balance is achieved when what you do makes sense to you and not to anyone else.
Happy holidays to everyone, whether you celebrate them or not. May 2025 be filled with purpose, balance, and good mental health.
References:
Boreham, I. D., & Schutte, N. S. (2023). The relationship between purpose in life and depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 79(12), 2736–2767. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23576
Related resources:
Purpose in Life Can Lead to Less Stress, Better Mental Well-being, article from the American Psychological Association (APA).
How having a sense of purpose can build hope and improve mental health, article from Innovative Resources website.
Does purpose play a positive role in mental health?, article from the Mayo Clinic Health System.
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