Maybe Your Purpose Just Changed

Lately, I’ve been thinking about purpose. How we talk about it. How we chase it. How we sometimes panic when we think we’ve lost it.

You know the feeling—when you’re a little (or a lot) untethered, and you start wondering if you’ve strayed too far from the path. You’re not miserable, not in crisis. But something feels... off. Like maybe you’re floating without a map.

Here’s what I’ve come to believe: That feeling, doesn’t mean you have no purpose. It probably just means your purpose is changing.

And that’s not a problem. That’s life doing what life does.

When we are little, our purpose is clear— play, eat and have lots of cuddles. Then it shifts. In school, it’s about learning, achievement, belonging. Later, maybe it’s about getting the job, making the mark, building the thing, raising the kids, proving something to someone.

But what happens when the thing that used to give you meaning… doesn’t anymore?

When the kids grow up, or the job ends, or the ladder you were climbing disappears—or worse, you realize it was leaning against the wrong wall?

It’s easy to feel like you’re failing. Like you’ve missed something. But maybe you’re just between purposes.

That in-between can feel awful. Uncertain. Unproductive. (Especially in a culture that wants us to know exactly what we’re doing at all times and turn it into a LinkedIn headline 😆.)

But what if that weird, floaty space is actually the doorway to whatever’s next?

We don’t talk enough about how often purpose does shift. We act like it’s this one big truth you find and cling to forever. I don’t think that’s how it works.

I think we all get many purposes in a lifetime—five, ten, maybe more. And they don’t have to be grand. They can be quiet. Personal. Small but solid.

There are times when your purpose is getting through a tough week. Or caring for a parent. Or showing up for a friend. Or getting your house ready to sell.

So if you’re in a stretch of life where you feel a little unsure of your why—don’t rush to fix it. Don’t rush to name it.

You’re not lost. You’re just becoming.

And believe me: that counts for something.

💬 Your Turn

If this post resonates, I’d love to know: Which season of life felt most purposeful for you—and how does that compare to where you are now?

You can simply leave a comment below.

Or if you are in a season of transition, try sitting with one of the many journaling prompts available to paid subscribers. You don’t have to answer all of them. Just pick the one that tugs at you—and start there.

There’s no right way to rediscover purpose. But writing it out is a good place to begin.

Priya R. Kapoor is a life coach, author and speaker with over 20 years experience in the helping industry. She has a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and works as a coach and consultant with clients all over the world. In 2014, she created the coaching brand ‘Give Yourself Permission’ and, in the same year, published her first book ‘Give Yourself Permission to Live Your Life’ (Balboa Press). Please visit www.prkcoaching.com for more information on how to work with her.