Finding Greater Purpose and Meaning to Boost Your Wellbeing and Mental Health
Purpose isn’t just about big achievements—it’s about aligning your everyday actions with your values, passions, and the impact you want to make in the world.
Why Purpose Matters for Wellbeing
Having a sense of purpose is more than just a nice idea—it’s backed by research. Studies show that people who feel a strong sense of meaning in life:
Experience lower levels of stress and anxiety
Are more resilient in the face of challenges
Have greater overall happiness and satisfaction
Even enjoy better physical health and longevity
When we have a clear purpose, we wake up each day with direction and motivation. Instead of simply going through the motions, we feel more engaged, connected, and fulfilled.
Reflecting on what truly matters to you can help you build resilience and create a more meaningful life. What do you most want to accomplish, learn, or contribute to in life? Who are the people that matter most to you? Who needs you the most? What activities make you feel most alive and engaged?
A Story of Purpose in the Face of Hardship
One of the most powerful examples of finding purpose comes from Viktor Frankl, a psychologist and Holocaust survivor. In his memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning, he describes how, despite facing immense suffering in a concentration camp, those who survived often had something meaningful driving them forward.
For some, it was the hope of reuniting with loved ones. For others, it was the belief that they could make a difference in the lives of those around them. Frankl himself found purpose in helping his fellow prisoners find meaning and hope—even in the darkest of circumstances.
He often quoted the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This idea became the foundation of Frankl’s work: when we have a reason to keep going, we can endure almost any hardship.
Purpose isn’t just about big achievements—it’s about aligning your everyday actions with your values, passions, and the impact you want to make in the world.
Your Path to Greater Meaning
You don’t need to go through extreme suffering to find purpose. But reflecting on what truly matters to you can help you build resilience and create a more meaningful life.
Take a moment to consider these questions:
What do you most want to accomplish, learn, or contribute to in life?
Who are the people that matter most to you? Who needs you the most?
What activities make you feel most alive and engaged?
Your answers to these questions are clues to your purpose. They reveal what drives you and what gives your life deeper meaning.
This week, take some time to reflect on the moments in your day that feel most meaningful. It could be as simple as helping a friend, solving a problem at work, or feeling a deep connection with a loved one.
- Jot down any insights that come to you.
- Notice what activities make you feel most engaged or fulfilled.
- Pay attention to when you feel energized or when something really matters to you.
You have unique contributions to make—things that only you can do in your own way.
Wellbeing Assessment
Your wellbeing matters. Take five minutes to learn if you are suffering, surviving or thriving in five essential areas of life and what you can do to improve your wellbeing. Try it now.
Our Services
Our Emotionally Focused approach to Counselling Therapy will help you recognize how situations trigger emotional reactions so you can respond to problems and challenges and enjoy life more fully.
Emotionally Focused Couple and Family Therapy therapy helps families understand attachment needs and fears, repair bonds, and communicate in more helpful ways.
Derrick McEachern is a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) in Nova Scotia, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. He specializes in providing mindfulness-based and emotionally focused therapy. He offers workshops and webinars and consults with businesses on ways to improve employee wellbeing and mental health.
Derrick McEachern, M.Ed., RCT, CCC
Counselling Therapist, Owner
Five Star Wellbeing Counselling and Mental Health
tel: 902 698 1194
derrick@fivestarwellbeing.com
https://fivestarwellbeing.com
