In my previous post about finding your purpose, I’ve talked about something that I think is really important:

Purpose isn’t something you suddenly discover.
It’s something you build by moving, trying, and adjusting.

But even though we know this, so many of us still feel stuck. Of course not because we don’t want a meaningful life. But because we believe we’re supposed to already know what that life looks like.

We think we need the full plan. A five-year vision. The “one thing” we are meant to do forever.

To me that sounds like a lot of pressure. And so what happens when we don’t have a clear vision or plan yet?

We freeze. We feel overwhelmed and like we’re never gonna get it perfect.

In this post I want to talk more about how to move forward when you don’t have everything figured out yet.

The Problem With Asking: “What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?”

It sounds like a simple question. We’ve all heard it before.
But it’s actually one of the most overwhelming questions you can ask a human being.

Because it assumes:

• That there is one correct answer.
• That you should already know it.
• That choosing wrong would ruin everything.
• That your future is a fixed destination, not a path.

No wonder people feel anxious when they hear it. Me included.

But life doesn’t work like a multiple-choice test.
Imagine it more like walking through fog, you can really only see a few steps ahead.

And that’s enough, because you will figure out and find your way while walking.

The Myth of “The One Thing”

We’ve been taught to search for the passion, our calling or the dream life. Especially because we can see so many people living our dream lives online.

But most people who live fulfilling lives didn’t find one magical thing.
They followed curiosity. They changed. They went back and forth. They evolved.

The pressure to “figure it all out” actually stops us from doing the one thing that creates clarity:

Just trying something out.

You don’t discover direction by thinking. You discover it by moving.

Direction vs Destination

A destination says: “I must know exactly where I’m going.”

Direction says: “I’m heading somewhere that feels right for now and I’ll adjust on the way. As long as I keep moving, I will find where I’m going.”

Direction removes pressure, but keeps movement. It allows growth without perfection. And most importantly, it keeps you from standing still.

My Own Life Isn’t a Finished Plan Either

If I’m honest, I still don’t know where I’ll be in 10 years. I’ve moved countries. Changed environments. Started creative projects without knowing where they would lead. Tried things just because they felt interesting at the time.

None of those decisions came from a perfectly mapped future (even though I’m gonna be honest, I’ve tried haha, but it just doesn’t work).

But what made me finally start was this simple thought:

I want to enjoy my life and not regret not trying.

And that has been enough to keep me moving.

5 Questions to Help You Find Your Direction

Instead of asking the big, overwhelming question, “What is my purpose?”, try asking smaller, more specific questions. Here are five questions that helped me figure out what I want to do with my life:

1. What makes me lose track of time?

Not what looks impressive.
What absorbs you? What do you love doing? What could you do all the time without getting bored by it?

2. What am I naturally good at?

We often dismiss our strengths because they feel easy and so we might not even realize which advantages they give us anymore.

To begin, try writing down five things you’re good at. Even if they seem small or insignificant.

As a little heads-up: This might feel uncomfortable at first. Many of us are so used to focusing on our weaknesses that acknowledging our strengths feels unfamiliar, or even wrong. If you notice that discomfort, don’t fight it. Just recognize it and let it pass. This small exercise is a first step toward shifting your mindset, helping you turn your inner critic into a more supportive voice.

3. What do I find interesting lately?

Your decision doesn’t have to last forever.
The direction you choose just has to be interesting right now.

Is it something…

• Creative?
• Social?
• Health-focused?
• Career-related?
• Something like travel or exploration?
• Learning something new?

Follow the energy and you’ll find new ways and ideas to explore.

4. What feels slightly more right?

Clarity actually rarely feels like certainty. It doesn’t feel perfect most of the time.

It usually feels more like:

“This seems a little more me than what I’m doing now.”

That’s enough to begin. Even if it’s not perfect, this feeling of “this feels good” can be a hint towards the direction that eventually takes you where you want to go.

5. What would I regret not trying?

Not what guarantees success or what feels like something you “should” do.

What would future-you wish you at least tried? We only have this life now that we are conscious of, so what would you regret not doing?

Try a 30-Day Direction Experiment

To make finding your direction a bit less overwhelming, you could simply start with an experiment instead of making a life decision right now.

So for example you could try this for the next 30 days:

• Choose one direction that interests you.
• Do small actions toward it every day or week.
• Observe how you feel, not whether you succeed.

You’re not committing to anything nor are you setting anything in stone for the rest of your life.
You’re simply trying out something new and collecting data.

After 30 days of that experiment and your small actions towards your chosen direction, you can:

• Continue.
• Adjust.
• Or try something new.

This is how real lives are built.

You Are Allowed to Not Know Yet

You don’t need a dream life figured out by 25. Or 30. Or ever. You only need to keep moving toward what feels alive, meaningful, or curious right now. Purpose is not a destination waiting for you. It’s the result of choosing a direction. Again and again.

Eva 🌼