What Are You Even Doing With Your Life?

Let’s start with the existential elephant in the room: What is your purpose? (Cue the dramatic music, dim the lights, and maybe throw in a thunderstorm for effect.) It’s a question that’s haunted us all at some point, usually right after binging an entire season of some obscure Netflix show. It’s that nagging feeling that sneaks up on you in the middle of the night, asking, “Why are you here?”—and no, not in the creepy ghost way. More like a philosophical interrogation by your own subconscious.

So, what is your purpose? The answer is... well, complicated. But if you're expecting me to have it all figured out, you might as well stop reading right now and go back to doom-scrolling through Instagram.

The “Great” Search for Meaning

Asking yourself about your purpose is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions—frustrating, time-consuming, and it often ends with you wondering if you did it all wrong. As millennials, we’re stuck in this weird limbo where we’re expected to have everything sorted out by age 30, or at least have a five-year plan. But guess what? Most of us are still trying to figure out what kind of eggs we like. (Scrambled? Over-easy? Existentially fried?)

And why is that? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to find this elusive “purpose” as if it’s the golden ticket to eternal happiness? Spoiler alert: it’s not. Finding your purpose is less like winning the lottery and more like trying to win a claw machine—frustratingly difficult, and often you walk away empty-handed.

But here’s the kicker: maybe that’s okay.

Embracing the Chaos

What if, and hear me out, not having a clear-cut purpose is part of the journey? Maybe your purpose isn’t some grand, life-defining moment where everything suddenly makes sense. Maybe it’s in the little things, the messy bits, and the spontaneous decisions you make on a daily basis. Maybe your purpose is as simple as finding joy in the absurdity of it all.

Do you really need a master plan to justify your existence? Does every single action in your life need to be meticulously aligned with a greater cosmic mission? Or can you just, you know, live your life without the pressure of turning every moment into a TED Talk?

Here’s a quote to think about (and no, it’s not from some ancient philosopher, but from the modern-day sage, Liz Lemon of 30 Rock): “I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know that I’m going to be a part of it.”

Profound, right? Maybe your purpose isn’t a rigid, unchangeable thing. Maybe it evolves as you do, as your circumstances change, as you grow (or, in my case, as you become more proficient at avoiding adult responsibilities).

Finding Purpose in the Small Stuff

We’re always told to “think big” when it comes to our purpose, but what if the big picture is made up of small, seemingly insignificant moments? What if your purpose is simply to be kind to others, to share a laugh, to create something—anything—that brings a little more joy into the world?

Take a moment to consider the small victories in your life: that time you made someone’s day with a random act of kindness, the time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt, or even the time you managed to keep a houseplant alive for more than a week. (Okay, that last one might be a bit of a stretch, but you get the point.)

Your purpose doesn’t have to be world-changing. It doesn’t have to be something you shout from the rooftops or put on a motivational poster. It can be quiet, subtle, and uniquely yours.

The Myth of “Having It All Figured Out”

Let’s debunk another myth while we’re at it: the idea that some people have it all figured out. Newsflash—no one does. Not even that Instagram influencer who posts motivational quotes in between pictures of avocado toast and sunsets. We’re all just winging it, some of us with more style and grace than others.

And that’s the beauty of it. Life doesn’t come with a manual, and neither does finding your purpose. It’s trial and error, it’s falling down and getting back up, it’s occasionally screaming into the void and hoping for the best.

If you’re still searching for your purpose, that’s okay. If you’re not even sure you care about finding it, that’s okay too. Life is messy, unpredictable, and often absurd—but that’s what makes it interesting.

Wrapping Up (But Not Really)

In the end, your purpose is what you make of it. It’s the sum of your experiences, the choices you make, and the people you meet along the way. It’s not a destination, but a journey—one that’s filled with detours, roadblocks, and, yes, even some wrong turns.

So, what are you doing with your life? Whatever you want. Just make sure you enjoy the ride, because that, my friend, might just be the whole point.