I don’t know what to do with my life – Is it normal not to know what to do with life? What can I do to change my life? I feel stuck; what do I do with my life? Why do I feel so empty and directionless? If you find yourself struggling with these and other related questions, this article is for you!
Hi, my name is Katie Lister, a practicing Registered Nurse and the founder of Growth Gals. I lead personal development groups and coach women to become the best versions of themselves. Growth Gals provides a safe space for women to connect with like-minded individuals, learn, and offer support to one another.
At GG, we discuss different issues related to everyday living for women, including helpful topics when you are at a crossroads and thinking, “I don’t know what to do with my life.”
This article will give you all the information you need during that period of time when you don’t know what to do with your life.
Table of Contents
Katie Lister
Written by Katie Lister, RN, BScN. An experienced Registered Nurse, Group Facilitator, Life Coach, and Community Leader. Read Katie's Full Author Bio
Why Do People Feel Unfulfilled In Life?
It’s normal to feel bored and unfulfilled in life, but when this feeling is constant, you it could be a problem. Most people feel unfulfilled in life for various reasons:
Comparison
We live in an era where social media rules everything, and it’s inevitable for people to compare themselves with others on social media. On social media, everyone is living their best lives because this is what they want the world to see. When you start comparing yourself with them, you start losing focus.
Whatever people post online is carefully curated to portray happiness and success. You might feel discouraged when you look at your peers who look like they have their lives together. It is important to remember that this is just one aspect of their lives and not the entire picture.
Lack of purpose
Feeling unfulfilled can stem from a lack of purpose in life. Moving through the motions with no real purpose makes it easy to feel unfulfilled. We lack purpose when we don’t follow our dreams and passions or stay in unhappy relationships that stifle our growth.
Here is how to find your purpose.
Lack of clear goals
Having goals in life makes you more focused and gives you something to live for. Vague goals or no goals can make you directionless. You know you want to save for a home, yet you don’t have a clear path on how to do this or how much you need to save per month toward this project, this is an example of an unclear goal. Lack of clear goals will make you feel like something is missing, leaving you sad and unfulfilled.
Societal expectations
Societal expectations drive most people’s lives. They live according to what society expects of them rather than what they want to do. Most people must differentiate between what society expects of them and their dreams and ambitions. Living according to other people’s expectations will make you feel unfulfilled in life.
Feelings of doubt
What am I doing? Doubt is a dream killer. When you fear rejection and failure, you settle for the easier option. Self-doubt prevents you from venturing outside of your comfort zone. Growth is uncomfortable. Unfortunately, most people don’t want to endure the discomfort for fear of failure. This fear eventually leads to regrets and unfulfillment because of the missed opportunities.
Stuck in the wrong career
Another reason people feel unfulfilled in life is when they get stuck in the wrong career. Spending years in a job you hate and that doesn’t align with your values or passions brings feelings of unfulfillment and unhappiness. Most people succumb to societal expectations and go to school to study for high-income careers. Later in life, they feel unfulfilled because they feel stuck in the wrong career path.
Lack of meaningful connections
Human beings thrive on relationships and social connections. When people lack meaningful relationships, they feel isolated and lonely. Social connections help people grow emotionally and mentally, and the lack of such relationships makes people sad and unfulfilled.
Signs You Are Unfulfilled in Your Life
When you feel unfulfilled in life, you struggle with continuous feelings of being stuck in life, making you question your entire life. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that you are unfulfilled in life.
You feel restless
Feeling restless and tired of the same routines becomes your new normal, and you go through the motions to get through your day. You feel like a career change or complete life change would help but don’t know where to start, so you continue living the same life on autopilot.
You constantly daydream
Daydreaming is normal, and a lot of people do it. However, if you find yourself constantly daydreaming and thinking of the good old days without doing anything to better your current situation, that is a clue that something is amiss. You are probably unhappy with your life and use daydreaming as an escape.
You constantly question your life choices
When you feel unfulfilled, you start relentlessly questioning yourself. You constantly wonder if you choose the right path. Everything in your life might look perfect to others, but you are still unhappy. You feel empty and continuously question all your decisions and areas of your life. When you keep second-guessing your life choices, you cannot move forward for fear of making a wrong move.
You envy others
A lot of time, unfulfillment makes people envious of others. When you look at your peers and their perfect lives, you envy them. You crave their lifestyle, jobs, or relationships, forgetting they may also have issues you know nothing about.
You get frequent mood swings
Do you experience frequent mood swings? One minute, you are happy, and the next, you are sad and depressed. This is a sign of unfulfillment in your life. These mood swings reflect your inner self and the turmoil you are going through.
You feel happy when you find something to distract you from your despair, and the lows come when reality hits you. These mood swings make you emotionally unstable and make it harder to step out of your comfort zone.
Want to know how to get a life? Find out in this article.
How Do I Figure Out What I Want To Do With My Life?
What am I looking for? Some people knew what they wanted to do since high school and pursued their desired path. However, only a few have their lives figured out. If you feel stuck in a rut and don’t know what to do with your life, remember it’s normal. Here are a few things you can do to help you get unstuck and figure out what you want to do.
Find your life purpose
What would you do if you found your life purpose? Finding your purpose takes work. It comes naturally for some, but most people may take years to discover themselves, and some never do. Your life purpose is what drives you and what you live for. It influences your behavior and guides your life decisions.
Finding your purpose gives your life a sense of direction and creates a self-awareness that enables you to achieve your long and short-term goals. Research shows that people who know their life purpose live longer and always make decisions geared toward their goals.
Stop procrastinating
Procrastination is the thief of time. Stop putting off things you can do today. Start the change immediately if you have already identified what you want to do with your life. Nobody knows how much time they have on earth, and we must make the most of our time. If you still need to decide, start the process and shed off your old self to reveal a new you.
Identify and follow your interests
When unsure what you want to do with your life, start by identifying your interests. If DIY (do it yourself) crafts interest you, consider making that a business project. If your parents or other factors influenced your career choice, there is always time to make a change. If you love podcasting, start your podcast, a YouTube channel, a scented candle business, whatever sets your soul on fire. Hobbies may seem like activities to pass the time, but they can become potential full-time income streams.
Get out of your comfort zone
Get out of your comfort zone and try new things by widening your horizons. Try things you have always wanted to but never had the time. Do things you have never imagined yourself doing and see what comes from these bold steps.
Go back to school, apply for your dream job, or quit and start your own business. It’s always possible to start over, regardless of your age. Colonel Harland Sanders of the famous KFC Chicken founded the American brand at 62 and was a multi-millionaire at 88. This businessman’s success tells you it’s always possible to start a new career, however old you are.
Start Journaling
Journaling is a powerful way of putting your thoughts on paper. The abstract thoughts become words that describe your fears, aspirations, and plans. When you look back at these journal entries, you can identify themes and patterns that tell you who you are, what you need to improve on, or what you are passionate about.
What Steps Can I Take to Discover My Passion and Purpose In Life?
When you have a passion for something, you feel deeply about it. It is more than an interest or a hobby. The pursuit of your passions says a lot about who you are. Knowing what you are passionate about is a self-discovery journey that involves discovering what you truly love and your purpose in life.
Here is a step-by-step way to discover your passion and life purpose:
Always make time for your passion
Always set some time aside to engage in whatever you are passionate about. Consistency nurtures passion, and you grow a deeper bond with what you love. For instance, if you love mountain climbing, spend more time doing what you love, and you will have more peace of mind.
Join groups
Join groups or communities that share similar passions. Engage them in discussions, share your experiences, and attend events. These connections give you different perspectives and enrich your life. Communities and groups also give you a sense of belonging that is crucial for your mental health and moral support when you need motivation.
Explore new grounds
Keep an open mind and explore new grounds. Attend seminars, workshops, or webinars related to your interests. Consider volunteering for organizations and take advantage of new opportunities that arise. Embracing new experiences can provide fresh perspectives and help you uncover your passions and life purpose.
Look for mentors
Connect with mentors and role models to find inspiration and guidance. Seek out industry leaders or join online communities and ask the right questions to enable you to learn from other people’s experiences. Their wisdom can be instrumental in discovering your passion and purpose. Listen to podcasts and Ted Talks by people in similar situations and how they became successful.
Align your values
Align your values with your purpose to live a fulfilling life. Identify your core values, evaluate how they align with your passion, and reflect on how you want to contribute to the world. Strive to create a purpose-driven life that aligns with who you are at your core.
I Don’t Know What to Do With My Life: How Growth Gals Can Help
Our aim at Growth Gals is to inspire women to reach their full potential. We also strive to create positive change by giving women the resources to discover their true selves and expand their knowledge base on various issues like mental health, emotional intelligence, etc.
Growth Gals helps women overcome obstacles and make informed decisions. We also help them connect with others with similar values and experiences. Subscribe to the Growth Gals newsletter to access helpful guides and resources for women and learn more about how we can support you and help you live your best life.
I Don’t Know What to Do With My Life: Conclusion
There are numerous reasons why people feel unfulfilled in life, such as comparison and lack of purpose. Unfulfillment manifests in various ways, such as frequent mood swings, constant questioning of your life choices, or even envying others for better lives than you.
Only some people know what they want to do with their lives. Some people discover what they want to do much later in life, but only if they are intentional about it. To find your life purpose and passion, you must be willing to get out of your comfort zone and venture into the unknown.
