Finding Your "Why"
Your "why" can look and sound like many different things; your "why" can be your purpose, motivation, the reason to wake up in the morning, and a constant way to ground yourself in this world. In a world where we constantly scroll and seek instant gratification, it's what keeps you alive, engaged, present, and, more importantly, it's what sets you apart from everyone else.
Although this driving force is constant, it would be foolish to believe you won't constantly outgrow it. Think of this underlying motivation as a part of your physical and mental state; you might not always recognize it, but it's there. As humans, we are constantly evolving. Think of the physical and mental state you were in one year ago; I am almost 100% sure you don't look or feel the same. Same thing with your "why". The more we experience, suffer, and learn, the more likely it is for this inner drive to change.
Now, maybe you're reading this and freaking out because you haven't found your unique purpose, but rest assured neither has the majority of the population. There's no time limit in finding it; but it's important to note that navigating a world without this guiding force will be significantly more challenging and confusing. People who don't have their "why" are more likely to be negatively affected by outside stimulus. Meaning, you are more likely to get swayed by peer pressure, torn down by other people's words or actions, and more likely to do things that don't align with your values.
"For those who have found or created their own "why," the amount of pleasure and suffering may affect how enjoyable their life is, but it can never affect how much they value their life. No matter how much suffering and how little pleasure there is in their life at some point, no matter how big the challenges that they are facing, their life is always worth the struggle. They are always able to say yes to their life. Be afraid of not being yourself more than you are afraid of being who you are. You have made a conscious choice not to be another miracle that has been wasted. It is possible for almost all of us to be greater than we are. We all have potentialities that are not fully developed or not even used at all. But we turn away from them so often because we fear our highest possibilities as much as we fear our lowest ones." - Frederick Nietzsche
Finding your "why" isn't easy, and even when you do find it, it might look different in one month, 1 year, or a decade. Here are some questions to help you get started as you prepare to search for your underlying purpose:
Be patient in finding your "why" and remember that it takes active work. While your intrinsic motivation can be sparked by spontaneity, you can't just sit and wait around for it to reveal itself. Use it in everyday functions and make decisions that align with the person you want to be. Find your "why," know your "why," and live your "why."
