047 finding your north star
In therapy, I often work with clients who feel adrift, unsure of the “why” behind their choices, work, or relationships. Many people move through life according to expectations, obligations, or external markers of success, and only when we pause do we notice a quiet question underneath it all: Am I living in alignment with who I truly am?
Purpose is often misunderstood as a grand goal or achievement. In reality, it is more like a compass, pointing toward the values, passions, and connections that make life feel meaningful; much like a north star. It can shift over time, yet it consistently calls us to pay attention to our inner world and how we show up in life.
Intuition is the language through which purpose often speaks. It is the subtle pull toward what feels right, the hesitation when something is off, and the quiet clarity that arises when we pause and listen. Many of us have been trained to ignore these signals in favor of rationality or approval from others, yet intuition is a deep form of self-knowledge, rooted in experience and emotion.
Exploring purpose is inherently existential. It asks us to confront uncertainty, sit with questions without immediate answers, and embrace both freedom and responsibility. Anxiety is not simply something to eliminate but a signal pointing toward areas of life where meaning has yet to be discovered.
Living in alignment with purpose does not require perfection or constant clarity. It begins with noticing small moments of resonance: tasks that energize, relationships that feel full, and choices that feel true even if unconventional. Purpose emerges when we integrate these truths into daily life, allowing them to guide decisions, boundaries, and aspirations!
This work is not about rejecting societal or familial expectations. It is about creating a framework in which these realities coexist with the internal compass of values, passions, and intuition. It is about cultivating the courage to answer the question: Who am I allowed to be and how do I show up in alignment with that truth?
Ultimately, finding your north star is less about a fixed destination and more about learning to navigate life with curiosity, awareness, and trust in yourself. Purpose is not a rule to follow, but a presence to inhabit, a guide that asks you to show up in ways that honor your authentic self!
