What Am I Looking For?

I Don’t Know What to Do With My Life | By: Katie Lister

March 10, 2024

What am I looking for in life? What’s the meaning of life? Who am I? What can I do to achieve what I want in life? How can I achieve happiness and fulfillment? You are in the right place if you have these and other questions.

Hi, my name is Katie Lister. I am a practicing Registered Nurse and the founder of Growth Gals (GG). 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 to guide, learn, and offer support to each other.

Some of the topics discussed at GG include emotional intelligence and mental health, among other topics centering on women’s health and self improvement. In this article, I will give you all the information you need to be able to answer the question, “What am I looking for?’

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

What Am I Looking For In My Career?

What do people struggle with the questions ‘what am I doing‘ when it comes to their work life? Most want fulfillment and a sense of satisfaction from their career, working their dream job and earning an excellent salary. The average person spends a third, or 30%, of their waking hours at work. We spend an average of eight to nine hours per day working, and the least we can do is choose a career we enjoy.

Here are some of the things you should look for in a fulfilling career.

Compatibility

Every person has a unique personality, and we thrive in different environments. Some people enjoy working as part of a team, while others enjoy working alone. Your career should be compatible with your personality. For instance, as an introvert, getting into a sales and marketing career might somewhat work against your personality.

When we spend so much time at work, it’s only fair that we look for a comfortable job with which we feel at home.

Challenging

Your career should challenge you and push you towards growth. Ensure your career offers educational opportunities and offers a chance to grow.

It should offer balance

You should ensure a work-life balance when choosing your career path. Without proper work-life balance, you will eventually experience burnout. Burnout puts your emotional, physical, and mental health at risk.

Satisfaction

You should feel satisfied in the career path you choose. Satisfaction in your career beats the huge paycheck you get in a job you hate.

Aligns with your core values

You should look for and ensure your career aligns with your core values. While it is easier said than done, it is always better to choose a career path that aligns with your values and personal convictions.

It aligns with your passion

An adage says, “Find a job that you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” The work you do should motivate you, not the paycheck. When you are in a job for the money, the excitement wears off very fast. Hard work at a job you love that aligns with your passion will eventually bear fruit.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to find your purpose.

It makes a difference

Choose a career that adds value to the world and helps to make a positive difference. If your chosen job exploits people and goes against your beliefs, it goes against what you seek and believe in. this will stand in the way of your self-improvement or career satisfaction.

What Am I Looking for in My Friendships?

Research shows that happiest people are those that have quality relationships. Having good friends who support you is good for your overall well-being. What should you look for in friendships?

Integrity

A person with integrity lives in line with their values. They have firm moral principles and will stand up for them. A friend with integrity is self-aware and consistent, which means you can rely on them to turn up when they say they will.

Respect

Good friends respect each other regardless of what they are going through. Their mutual respect ensures the friendship lasts a long time.

Trust

A friend should be honest, trustworthy, and have good intentions towards you. They tell you the truth respectfully and not in a hurtful way. When you have a reliable friend, you can become vulnerable and be yourself with them without being afraid of them betraying your trust.

Dependable

A true friend is not a fair-weather type of friend. Good friends always keep their word and show up when you need them. This does not mean they are always available, but when they can show up, they always do, even if it’s to lend a listening ear.

Loyal

Great friends are loyal to their friends and even to family members! They stick with you during your ups and downs and do not change sides when things go wrong. They are there to offer a helping hand and listen to your side of the story, defending you when necessary.

Non-judgmental

Good friends always tell you the truth but don’t judge you. They offer a safe space to share your problems and discuss serious and sensitive topics. Great friends have your best interests at heart and are ready to support you in whatever you need and boost your self-esteem.

Encouraging

A good friend always encourages you and pushes you to be the best version of yourself. They make you move out of your comfort zone and try new things.

Truthful

A friend is a person who will always tell you the uncomfortable truth when others won’t. A good friend points out things you don’t want to hear but with love and maturity. If you are going down the wrong path, they will let you know. If you ask them for the truth, they will give you an honest answer.

Learn how to get a life in this article.

What Am I Looking for in Romantic Relationships?

Serious relationships require effort to maintain, especially once the honeymoon stage is gone. What are the key ingredients that keep a romantic relationship alive?

If you have tried online dating and even gone to dating sites and downloaded dating apps, one of the main questions you ask a potential match that you can add in the “About Me” section is, “What are you looking for in a relationship?” Here are some of the qualities to look for in a potential partner:

Mutual respect

For a successful relationship, look for a person who appreciates and likes you for who you are. You don’t always have to have everything in common. The two of you may connect, but he likes to read autobiographies while you read fiction. The secret to success lies in learning to respect each other’s choices and preferences.

Good communication skills

Communication can make or break a relationship. In a healthy relationship, the two of you should feel comfortable around each other and be able to talk about anything. Relationships can get rocky. The most important thing is to talk through issues calmly and honestly.

Physical attraction

Physical attraction is as important as emotional attraction. Find a partner you are physically attracted to, and ensure your intimacy works for both of you. In any new relationship, it takes some time before you adjust to each other’s needs and know what the other person likes and doesn’t like. There may be some awkwardness at first, but it will fade as time goes by.

Friendship

You should look for your soul mate, someone who wants to be your friend as well as your lover. Find a best friend with whom you can hang out and do silly stuff, one with a good sense of humor and who makes you laugh. Spending time together builds a strong foundation for a serious, long-term relationship.

Emotional maturity

Look for a partner with emotional maturity who can openly speak about their feelings and thoughts. Lack of maturity leads to confusion, frustration, and constant arguments. The perfect partner is self-aware and manages their emotions without relying on you. A mature person will let you know how they feel and agree to work through issues with you or with the help of a wellness and relationship coach.

Trust and honesty

The foundation of any relationship, whether romantic or platonic, is trust. Without trust, you cannot confide in each other. Look for a trustworthy and honest person who makes you feel secure. A red flag is when a partner lies about little things. If you find out they are lying about minor things; they will lie about more significant things in the future.

What Am I Looking For? How Growth Gals Can Help

Our aim at Growth Gals is to inspire women to reach their full potential and create positive change by giving them the resources to discover their true selves. We discuss issues like mental health, emotional intelligence, self-improvement, and finding your purpose, among many others. We can also help when you are wondering what to look for in your career and relationships, both platonic and romantic.

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 and learn more about how we can help you live your best life.

What Am I Looking For? Conclusion

The average person works every day for about a third of their lives. To prevent burnout, you need to choose a career that you enjoy. We thrive on human connections and need friends who we can depend on. Romantic relationships may lead to you saying, “Yes, I do, “but you must also take care not to end up with the wrong person.