The pandemic continues to shape our lifestyles and social behavior. It can seem like a new COVID development is introduced daily, bringing on unease and restlessness. Words like “languishing” have emerged to describe what you may be feeling—uninspired and overwhelmed. Given the virus doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, it may be time to do a self-assessment and re-engage our sense of purpose.

Pursuing a sense of purpose is one of the pillars of overall wellness, and unlocking yours can greatly improve your well-being. Living in alignment with a sense of purpose gives our lives a solid foundation and allows for true meaning and joy to emerge. As important as having a sense of purpose is for our mental and physical health, finding it can often be difficult due to the distractions of our daily lives and routines.

Discover what ignites your passion with these three tools, and begin living a purpose-driven life:

Finding flow

Determining what brings meaning to your life is the first and most critical step. What has meaning helps define importance, and builds the foundation from which we live our lives. If you volunteer or have a hobby or activity you enjoy, then you have already found a passion. Invest time in this passion as often as possible and start sharing your experience and insights with the world.

If you still haven’t found a passion or purpose, perhaps it is time to explore this concept and take time for reflection. Look carefully everywhere around you. Go back to your childhood pleasures. Where do you get ‘into a flow” or lose track of time? Has your calling been somewhere close, but you were too distracted to connect with it? Volunteering or giving a helping hand can also aid self-exploration.

Seek clarity

It helps to have clarity around your desires, aspirations, or dreams. Our vision for passion and purpose usually takes time to unfold and often changes over the years. Seeking clarity and allowing for exploration to find your passion or purpose is part of life’s traveled path. Sometimes we stumble; other times the path seems more straightforward or may have accompanied us for years. Always, it is about questioning and allowing new ideas to shape and define who we are or what we truly want.

Ask yourself, what do you love doing? Where does your heart feel contentment? When does your best self appear? We each have unique gifts to share with the world, from raising a child to caring for the sick, building a bridge or bringing laughter to others. What are your unique gifts? Where does compassion, civic calling, and meaning intersect in your life?

Leave your comfort zone

To ignite your sense of purpose, you may need to get outside of your comfort zone and do something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the courage or opportunity. Perhaps, take more risks. Go on an adventure without planning. Jump into a big decision and make the most of it. Have fun exploring the meaning in your life beyond the day-to-day routine.

Adriana Covell, CN, HHP is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach offering health coaching services at the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness. Learn more about the power of living with intention and awareness, while discovering a purpose-driven life with an “Ignite Your Life Purpose” workshop on February 12, 2022. Call 530.539.6620, or visit BartonOrthopedicsandWellness.com/Classes to register.