If you’ve been stuck in a loop of “this isn’t it,” you’re not alone.
It’s that dull sense of unfulfillment: “I’m not unhappy, but I’m not happy either.” Sound familiar?
First, I want to remind you that it’s totally normal to feel this way. We can’t be 100% on our game all the time.
But it’s important to recognize that feeling is a signal that you’re ready for a shift to stop reacting to life and start living it.
This post is all about a series of small, powerful mindset shifts that can guide you from feeling overwhelmed to finding more clarity and joy. True fulfillment isn’t one huge discovery—it’s about a series of gentle but powerful shifts just like these.
So let’s dive in.
Get Curious
We’ve all been there, feeling like we’re chasing some distant, unachievable purpose. But the truth is, you don’t have to find your one true purpose all at once. In fact, most people don’t. Instead, start small.
The Old Mindset: “I need to find my one true purpose.”
The Shift: “I will get curious about what brings me joy today.”
What’s one thing you can do right now, no matter how small, that sparks a little bit of joy? By paying attention to what lights you up in the present moment, you’ll begin to notice a pattern, and that pattern will lead you toward your purpose.
Take Back Your Time
We live in a world that feels incredibly busy. It’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough time for the things that truly matter. But sometimes, it’s not about finding more time (because we all know that feels impossible). Instead, it’s about making intentional time for the things you enjoy.
The Old Mindset: “I don’t have enough time for the things I want to do.”
The Shift: “I will make time for one thing that gives me energy.”
Instead of focusing on all the things you feel like you can’t do, choose just one thing that recharges you, whether it’s a 15-minute walk, a moment of stillness, or a phone call with a friend, and schedule it in your calendar. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference that one intentional action can make.
Embrace the Boring
Days can start to feel repetitive, like an endless loop of responsibilities and routines. It’s easy to get lost in the monotony, but what if you could find moments of connection and joy right where you are?
The Old Mindset: “My day-to-day life is boring and unfulfilling.”
The Shift: “I will look for moments of connection and joy in my routine.”
Try to notice the small things that bring you a sense of warmth and happiness: the first sip of your morning coffee, a song you love on the radio, a genuine laugh with a coworker or family member. These little moments of connection are always there; you just have to choose to look for them.
Drop the Stilettos
Perfectionism is a silent dream killer. If you won’t take my word for it, take Elizabeth Gilbert’s: “Perfectionism is fear in stilettos.”
It convinces you that you can’t start until everything is perfect, keeping you stuck in place. But the fastest way to progress is to just do the damn thing.
The Old Mindset: “I can’t start until everything is perfect.”
The Shift: “I will take a small, imperfect first step right now.”
Think about a big goal you have. Now break it down into the tiniest possible step. Don’t worry about it being perfect, and don’t worry about the outcome. Just focus on taking that one little step, and then the next. Momentum will follow.
Cherish the Process
It’s tempting to believe that happiness and fulfillment are waiting for you at the finish line of a big goal. And that’s not inherently wrong, but what if you could find joy in the process itself?
The Old Mindset: “I’ll be happy when I achieve my big goal.”
The Shift: “I can find fulfillment in the process, not just the outcome.”
The journey is where you learn, grow, and truly live. When you shift your focus to enjoying the day-to-day process of working toward something you care about, you’ll find that you don’t need to wait for a big win to feel happy.
Look Ahead
It’s easy to let past mistakes or old stories define who you are. But you are not defined by what you’ve done; you are defined by what you choose to do next.
The Old Mindset: “I am defined by my past mistakes.”
The Shift: “I am in control of my future actions.”
This is perhaps the most powerful shift of all. It’s a moment of radical self-acceptance and a reclaiming of your power. Your past is a part of your story, but it’s not the whole story. You are in control of your future actions, and that gives you the power to change everything.
Remember, true fulfillment isn’t about one huge discovery. It’s about a series of small, powerful shifts like these. I’m excited to see where your path leads you.