Purpose Anxiety
I’ve just been listening to the latest episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast. In it, Steven Bartlett sits down for a real DMC* on purpose with three people with very different perspectives: an atheist, a spiritual thinker, and a Christian. It’s fascinating, and definitely worth a listen.
Steven begins with some sobering statistics I know all too well:
And for those who feel their life lacks meaning, not knowing what they should be doing only makes things worse, often harming their mental health.
This is what many now call Purpose Anxiety.
We hear it everywhere - from parents, teachers, mentors, and people like me - that finding your purpose is the key to living a good life. And there’s truth in that. Research consistently shows that people with a strong sense of purpose tend to be healthier, happier, and even live longer.
Instead of inspiring us, it’s become a source of pressure, even anxiety.
Back in 2014, University of Pennsylvania graduate student Larissa Rainey put a name to this tension: “purpose anxiety.” The phrase stuck because it perfectly captures how it feels when we’re told we must uncover the one big thing our life is about.
Some signs of purpose anxiety?
Constant job-hopping without ever feeling fulfilled
Imposter syndrome on repeat
Comparing yourself endlessly to everyone else
No wonder it feels exhausting.
And in reaction to all this, I’ve noticed a new trend: what I’d call “purpose nihilism.” It’s the belief that life has no real purpose, and trying to find one is a waste of time. It’s born out of disappointment: people search, don’t find what they’re looking for, and conclude that purpose is an illusion. The advice becomes: don’t overthink it, just get on with life, earn a living, and if you’re lucky it might feel meaningful sometimes.
But here’s what I believe: there’s a middle ground. Giving up on purpose altogether isn’t the answer. The research is too clear - a sense of purpose isn’t some fluffy ideal, it’s strongly linked to our wellbeing, resilience, and fulfilment.
So how do we avoid both extremes - chasing a perfect, purpose-driven existence on the one hand, or dismissing purpose entirely on the other?
That’s exactly what we explore in this week’s podcast, but here are three quick tips to get you started:
Purpose isn’t something you “find” overnight. It’s something you piece together from your daily life. Notice what energises you, what drains you, when you feel most alive, what others affirm in you, what you’d do even without pay or recognition. These clues build the picture over time.
Stop waiting for some big revelation. Bring more intention to what you already love. Show up, contribute, and practise doing your best with what’s right in front of you. Purpose grows in motion.
Give space to picture different versions of your life. Play out the possibilities. (I explain this exercise in more detail in my new book The Purpose Pursuit - available for pre-order now!)
So, if you’ve been tempted to give up on the whole idea of purpose because it feels elusive or exclusive, I want to encourage you: don’t. Have a listen to this week’s episode - it might just shift your perspective and offer some hope.
And if you’re doing okay but know someone who’s struggling with purpose (and chances are you do - the data says 91% of us will experience purpose anxiety at some point in life), maybe send them this blog or share the podcast. It could be the reminder they need that you see the value in their life, even when they can’t see it clearly themselves.
With love,
Hannah x
*DMC = Deep and Meaningful Conversation