What if you don't have a purpose?

From the moment we're old enough, we are asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" It starts as a cute game, to imagine being a dancer or a baker. But as we grow older, the question morphs into "What is your purpose in life?" We each have one unique destiny and our mission is to find it and then pursue it at all costs. Our careers, hobbies, and lives are a testament to this single calling. But what if you're listening for that single calling and all you hear is static? What if you look into your heart and dont find that one burning passion but a quiet landscape of small wonders? What if you...dont have a purpose? What if that's not only ok, but a better way to live?

So, where exactly did this idea originate? First, let's go back in history to Mozart, the child who composed entire sonatas at the age of 5. From the moment people saw him perform, they were in awe of him, and Mozart kept performing for others without giving it a second thought. Now compare this to this modern hustle culture. Productivity is valued above all else; you work that job until you're dead. But why? Do we want to, probably not. This single value is tied to the achievement that we must be something, whether we like it or not. 

The search for this magical purpose can be a source of anxiety and inadequacy for so many people, and it can make people fall behind in a race they never signed up for. Most people aren't monoliths; you have multiple interests, talents, and phases in your life. Your purpose at 25 might look different than when you were 45. You can be a great parent, a dedicated community member, a curious learner, or a skilled baker. These are all valid purposes. So, why must we be a single masterpiece and not a whole gallery of experiences, relationships, and small masterpieces?

Borrowing from philosophy, life doesn't have a meaning; we create that meaning. It can be found in connection, beauty, the present moment, and in reducing suffering. A mission implies an endpoint, meaning is found in the journey. It's the coffee you share with friends, the book that changes your mind, or even the music you listen to. 

Follow your curiosity, not your passion. Passions are overwhelming while curiosities are light and playful. What tiny thing are you curious about, and learn about it for a week? Bake the bread because you enjoy doing it, instead of playing the role of "Baker." Write because you like to arrange words, not because you need to be the writer. Your purpose can be to lead a modest, kind, and enjoyable life. That is a noble and complete purpose in itself.

The hunt for a single purpose can blind us to the beautiful, messy, and multifaceted meaning that already exists in our everyday lives. It can make us feel like we are waiting for permission to start living. So what if you dont have a purpose? Congrats, you are now free from constraints. You can now explore, to change your mind. You can explore in a thousand different moments without betraying some grand destiny. Your life is a puzzle to be solved with one missing piece. It is a story to be written, one small, interesting, and heartfelt chapter at a time. That may be the purpose all along.