Exploring purpose is a beautifully complex, interwoven network – one that underpins life itself. I believe each of us, at some point, will come face to face with it, called to answer one of life’s most fascinating and challenging questions: What is mine?

Rewind

Last time I wrote a blog, I was curled up on a couch in the Netherlands, doing my best to jot down some of my most recent life lessons (and somehow there always seems to be plenty).

That blog, (Eat, Pray, Panic: The Reality of my Travels), touched on a few big themes from my previous travels – managing expectations, losing a scooter key, the power of togetherness. Actually, go give it a read if you haven’t yet.

Looking back, I admire that version of me – so introspective, so sure she’d figured it all out. I smile now, knowing how many lessons were still waiting. That’s life, isn’t it? You climb one hill, proud of the view, only to see another rising twice as tall ahead.

That was a time for isolation and reflection

After leaving the Netherlands, I traveled to Athens, where I wandered through its vibrant streets and iconic attractions, each encounter with Greece’s magnificent sculptures leaving me in awe. You will never truly understand the skill and dedication required to sculpt from marble until you are standing before the most intricate, detailed faces of Greek gods and goddesses. I remember reflecting on this and imagining how, in that time, that was someone’s livelihood, their whole life. And now, thousands of years later, it is still admired – transcending time and generations. Timeless. Purposeful.

I then found myself on the small Greek island of Milos for a work trip – blessed with many conversations with locals and endless stories told on the transformation of culture alongside powerful initiatives focused on sustainability and preservation.

That was a time for admiration, observation and listening

Next up was the United Kingdom – a dream destination for me. Walking through London felt utterly surreal, with every corner revealing another piece of the city steeped in history. On a Saturday morning after breakfast with a friend, on a whim, I decided to buy a theatre ticket – spontaneity at it’s finest. This decision undoubtably made the list of top three experiences of my life so far: seeing Wicked in the West End. I’m not exaggerating when I say I cried at least four times, sitting alone, drinking beer, watching an art form unfold before my eyes in a city I have so long admired and dreamed of. It felt thrilling, all consuming and within that moment, I felt tangible joy.

That was a time for whimsy, joy and spontaneity

Through it all, I tried to carry with me the growing list of lessons travel has gifted me. Some days I succeeded, other days not so much. A healthy mindset, I’ve learned, takes consistent effort but also, no effort at all – a balance, if you will, between effort and surrender. Allowing each place to transform something within you.

And then I returned home to Cape Town. Peace, simplicity, comfort. Walks by the ocean, games nights with friends, long drives. Those months, post-travels, were really some of the best I’ve ever lived. Every day I caught myself thinking, how did you ever feel anything other than this? Life is good. Happiness is simple.

That was a time for peace, simplicity and comfort

I then got another incredible opportunity to travel – this time to the United States. What began as one trip in June/July turned into two back-to-back adventures, the second of which finds me now, in October, curled up in a cozy chair at a local coffee shop in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Leaning into it

This was a time for boldness and opportunity

Back in June/July, I traveled to the U.S. for work – a two-week whirlwind through Florida and Utah, meeting new clients and exploring opportunities. A bold, opportunistic nature overwhelmed me. When I returned home to Cape Town, something inside me shifted. A small spark ignited – I saw a door open, and I couldn’t ignore it.

And that’s where every meaningful chapter in life begins – with an opportunity.

Of course, not all the voices in my head were encouraging. Some whispered doubts:

“You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“That’s too bold.”

“Just play it safe.”

We’re often taught to do exactly that – comply, follow the path, don’t rock the boat, and be grateful for what we’re given. And yes, there’s wisdom in gratitude and stability. But there’s another layer to life – that quietly asks what might happen if you dare to take a different path.

Because if we do what 99% of people do, we’ll end up like 99% of people.

And that’s not the life I see for myself. I want to take risks, to shape my own story – not let life simply happen to me, but for me.

So, long story short, I pitched the idea to my company: what if I based myself in the U.S.? The worst possible outcome was a simple “no.”

A friend of mine recently shared a concept called “collecting no’s.” The idea is to deliberately put yourself in situations where rejection is possible – even likely – so you can train your mind to see “no” not as failure, but as part of growth.

Because really, if you don’t ask, the answer is already no.

And as it turns out, this time, the answer was yes.

Which is how I found myself boarding a plane to Salt Lake City – heart racing with a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

A conglomerate of ‘times’

Each country presented a chance to explore a new feeling, a catalyst, if you may. Despite this (the beauty of reflecting in hindsight), within each country I do remember the feeling of being lost. Something felt like it was missing because, after all, as humans, we always want it all don’t we. We chase freedom, only to miss the warmth of being held. We crave adventure until we’re tired, lost, uncertain,
and then we ache for the comfort of routine. The grass, my dear reader, will always be greener.

I now start to think – what if, and hear me out, nothing was missing at all; I just had yet to find a purpose for what I already had.

 In my quieter moments, I found the inability to find purpose in my life to be all consuming. Terrifying. Anxiety-inducing. Confronting that space – that uncertainty – wasn’t, and still isn’t easy.

After much thought, I have come to believe it’s because we’re searching for something that doesn’t stay still. Purpose isn’t fixed; it shifts and evolves as we do. Maybe the point isn’t to find one perfect answer, but to allow ourselves to change, to grow – to let our sense of purpose move with us through each season of our life.

What felt like purpose in the Netherlands – quiet reflection and introspection – transformed into admiration and curiosity in Greece, joy and spontaneity in London, peace and simplicity back home in Cape Town, and boldness and opportunity here in the U.S. Each season has carried its own rhythm, its own reason for being. I’m learning that purpose isn’t a destination at all, but a moving current – one that changes with time, experience, and the version of ourselves brave enough to meet it.

Presence. Being. Acknowledging that this moment, right here, right now, is teaching you something. Providing the opportunity to explore a new feeling, a new emotion – adding a fresh brush stroke to the canvas of your life.

I have never been more captivated by something then when Lili Reinhart, an actress, once said:

“If I started out as this celestial being, this, just, energy, and the universe or God or whomever said, ‘Hey, do you want to go to earth for an incredibly short amount of time, like a blip, and experience every emotion that you could possibly feel as a human, you get to have all of these experiences – love, heartache, anxiety, joy, euphoria, whatever, all of it. Do you wanna do that?’ Yeah, I do.“

So if you are wondering what it is, what is our purpose? Experience it all.

And you know what is so amazing and incredible about feeling lost in pursuit of purpose? I stumbled across a post the other day that summed it up perfectly:

Feeling lost or lonely might actually mean you’ve outgrown the spaces you once belonged and wanted to step away from. You’re standing in uncharted territory – a place this version of you has never been before.

A purpose shift at it’s finest – and feeling lost is the pre-requisite for that.

My constants

There are a few things I like to keep as my constants in my life, with the acceptance of purpose as fluid, we still need those constants in our life to ground us. This may look different for everyone but here are a few of mine:

1. Community:
While the magic often happens in stillness, we all need connection – spaces where we can speak freely, share ideas, laugh, and simply be together. Community reminds me that I’m never truly alone and that, at our core, we’re all far more alike than we realize.

2. Movement:
I’m constantly reminded of how deeply our bodies and minds are connected. Not every feeling needs to be analyzed – some just need to be moved through. Whether it’s a walk, a stretch, or a good dance around the kitchen, movement helps me process what words sometimes can’t.

3. Nature:
Yes, it’s a little cliché, but it’s true. Stepping into nature strips away the constant noise of the world – the comparisons, the endless wanting. It reminds me of the simplicity of being alive, and somehow, that quiet clarity brings me closer to a sense of purpose.

4. “Routine keeps us alive, novelty makes us feel alive”:

Try something new – a different drink, a new route home, a solo trip, a group trip. Big or small, novelty breathes life into routine.

5. And finally, love.
Love shows up in many forms – through kindness, attention, and connection. It’s in listening with intention, petting the dog that walks by, thanking your barista, hugging a friend a little longer. I love the saying that with true friends, success is doubled and grief is halved.

When we lead with love – when we open ourselves up to give and receive it – our purpose naturally expands beyond just us. It ripples outward, touching every life we cross paths with.

I’m curious – have you ever found yourself in this same space – reflective, unsure, but growing?

If so, I’d love to hear what thoughts come up for you, or what practices help you navigate those quiet, in-between moments.

After all, we’re all just humans – doing life for the very first time, figuring it out as we go. And maybe, that shared curiosity, that willingness to reflect, is what connects us most of all in our own, personal pursuit for purpose.