What is the Purpose of My Life?

The question, “What is the purpose of my life?” haunted me deeply a few years ago, and I believe it might resonate with many of you as well. We all dream of leaving a lasting legacy and contributing something meaningful to the world. But how do we uncover the purpose of our existence and discover what truly brings us fulfillment?

While most of us dedicate ourselves to our professional lives, is it genuinely fulfilling? It’s a question you might silently ask yourself every day. I understand that leaving a job isn’t always practical — it pays the bills, after all. I’m not suggesting you quit. Instead, I encourage you to reflect on your strengths and passions, groom them, and incorporate them into your life.

What if I told you that you could continue your current job while still leading a purposeful life? The secret lies in channeling your energy toward your strengths and building on them. Personally, as someone with a background in English Literature, I’ve always had a deep love for writing. Coupled with my passion for travel, I focused on these strengths to create something meaningful.

Today, I have a travel blog, www.travelwithnilz.com, where I share my adventures and experiences. I also ventured into YouTube with the handle @TravelWithNilz, where I produce videos showcasing the places I visit. My passion even led me to publish a book, Life’s a Journey: Travel and Unleash, a collection of my travel stories. In 2024, I was honored to be nominated as the Travel Influencer of the Year by SATTE (South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange).

All of this has been possible while balancing a corporate career. The key? Believing in yourself and manifesting that belief. Are you familiar with the Law of Attraction? Everything begins with believing. As Rhonda Byrne writes in her book The Secret, “If you see it in your mind, you’re going to hold it in your hand.”

Once you’ve identified your strengths, the next step is to nurture them. Make them your Ikigai — “your reason to jump out of bed every morning”. Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles explore this beautifully in their book Ikigai, which has profoundly influenced my life.

Living a purposeful life leaves little room for dissatisfaction or unhappiness. Many mental health struggles stem from feeling unfulfilled. It’s all too easy to get trapped in the monotony of daily life — waking up, going to work, coming home, and repeating the cycle. That’s why it’s essential to have something to look forward to, something that excites and inspires you.

As we step into 2025, let’s make a promise to ourselves: to take steps, however small, toward positive change. Identify what you’re good at, discover what you love, and nurture those passions to create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Let this new year bring out the best in us — a version of ourselves full of determination, joy, and strength to become who we’ve always dreamed of being. Let’s make 2025 the year we truly start living!