Episode No. 30
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Finding Your Why: A Journey of Connection
Are you struggling to figure out what gives your life meaning and purpose? So many of us get tangled in our thoughts, desperately seeking logical answers to questions that can only be felt in our hearts. While we often hear the phrase "follow your passion," this well-meaning advice can leave us feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.
But here's the truth: discovering your "why" isn't about crafting the perfect explanation. People mistake finding their "why" for reasoning because they try to figure out their purpose intellectually instead of tuning into what naturally moves and energizes them.
While reasoning relies on logical analysis and mental processing, connection taps into your authentic emotional responses and natural inclinations - it's the difference between forcing yourself to solve a puzzle versus being naturally drawn to complete it.
By learning to trust and follow these genuine connections, you can begin crafting a life that feels less like checking boxes and more like following an internal compass that naturally guides you toward what matters most.
The Power of Connection Over Logic
When you feel a genuine connection to something, it creates an energy that logic alone can't explain. This connection might show up as:
A flutter of excitement when you think about certain activities
Losing track of time when engaged in specific work
Feeling energized rather than drained after spending hours on a project
An inexplicable pull toward certain causes or missions
Tips for Finding Your Why Through Connection
Here are practical ways to uncover your authentic why:
Listen to Your Body's Wisdom
Pay attention to how different activities make you feel physically. Your body often knows your truth before your mind does. Notice tension, excitement, or a sense of ease as these physical sensations can guide you toward what truly matters.
Follow Your Curiosity
Notice what naturally draws your attention and interest, without judging whether it's "practical" or "reasonable." These natural inclinations often reveal deeper truths about what matters to you than any logical analysis could. Follow your interests systematically to help identify what truly motivates you.
Reflect on Peak Experiences
Think about moments when you felt most alive and fulfilled. What common threads connect these experiences? Consider both major life events and small everyday moments that brought you deep satisfaction. Look for patterns in:
The types of challenges you were tackling
The people you were surrounded by
The skills you were using
The values you were expressing
These patterns often reveal core elements of your personal why.
Notice What Moves You
What stories, causes, or situations bring tears to your eyes or set a fire in you? Pay attention to what makes you sad, angry, or frustrated- these emotional responses often highlight values and issues you deeply care about. Strong negative reactions can be powerful indicators of what matters most to you and where you might want to make a difference.
Your Why Will Unfold
Finding your why is a deeply personal journey that unfolds in its own time. Don't pressure yourself to have it all figured out immediately. The process of discovering what truly matters to you should feel natural and energizing, not forced or stressful.
Trust that your why will reveal itself as you stay open to genuine connections and keep following what naturally draws you. The key is to remain curious and patient with yourself along the way.
What Inspired this Episode:
Let's explore the complex journey that follows graduation. You know that feeling when everyone's rushing into their careers, but something inside you is questioning the hustle?
This reflection captures that moment when you realize there's a difference between moving slowly and moving with intention. It's like, some of us are expected to jump straight into that 9-5 grind after graduation, but what if we took a break to figure things out first?
Think about it - while your friends might be sprinting up the corporate ladder, taking time to slow down (maybe through a gap year) could help you avoid that autopilot life we're all lowkey afraid of. It's not about being lazy or falling behind - it's about being strategic with your energy and making sure your moves align with what truly matters to you.
The beauty is that this journey from slow living to intentional living isn't about choosing between extremes. It's about learning valuable lessons while moving at your own pace, and then using those insights to create a life that feels like yours.
Questions I wanted to explore:
How do slow living and intentional living differ in practice?
Can taking time to slow down (like during a gap year) help prevent living life on autopilot?
How can we transition from a slow living mindset to a more intentional one while maintaining the valuable lessons learned?
What role do personal challenges play in living an intentional life?
How do I find my purpose when I feel lost and unmotivated?
What's the difference between finding your passion and finding your purpose?
How long does it typically take to discover your life purpose?
Can someone have multiple purposes in life?
Should I quit my job to find my purpose?
How do I know if I'm on the right path in life?
What if my purpose doesn't align with making money?
How do I balance finding my purpose with practical responsibilities?
Is it normal to feel anxious about not knowing your purpose?
How can I find my purpose while working a full-time job?
How do I stay motivated when pursuing my purpose feels challenging?
What if my purpose changes as I grow older?
How do I overcome fear of judgment when following my true purpose?
Can mindfulness and meditation help me discover my purpose?
Should I listen to my head or my heart when making life decisions?
How do I know if I'm being authentic or just following trends?
What role does self-care play in finding your purpose?
How can I align my daily habits with my larger life purpose?
Is it possible to find purpose through service to others?
How do I maintain work-life balance while pursuing my purpose?
Episode Description:
After last week's episode which was focused more on letting go of what isn't in your control (the timeline of your life), this episode is more about what is your control aka choosing how you want to live your life and choosing when you want to shift to something. Lay shares her own experience with slow living and how being in the slow pacing of life gave her clarity on her next steps. Intentional living is when you live a life of choice and value and Lay shares how she knew it was time to do things differently to shift seasons. This is just the start of the mini-series of intentional living.
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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4
Section | Timestamp | Notes |
Introduction | 00:00 | -Slow living and intentional living are different |
Intentional Living vs Slow Living | 00:40 | -Intentional living = aligning actions to purpose and goals -Slow living = emphasizing a slower pace + reducing speed of life -Ex: Picking up Jewelry making as a hobby because I wanted to do something creative -Ex: Reading a book all day when you don't feel up for any of the other tasks but still want to do something |
The post-grad experience and trying to figure out my purpose | 04:30 | -Typically the post-grad journey is more fast-paced (You graduate, get a full-time job, etc.) -My friend and I would talk about gap years since she took one before going to college -Do gap years prevent living on autopilot? |
Shifting from slow living to intentional living | 11:45 | -Moving into summer, desiring to live a more intentional life that brings me closer to my goals -Things I learned during my slow-living era -The importance of having a challenge in your life |
Card Pull | 17:00 | -Moonolgy Deck - "It's time to release negativity" -"Emotions are running high" |
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