Growing up, I remember listening to my mom talk about always knowing she was going to be a nurse. She was one of those lucky ones who just got it. There was no long journey for her to find her purpose. And for the last 40+ years, she’s followed her path and loved her job. Me on the other hand? My curiosity has always gotten the better of me. I love a good story. I want to help people. I’m also fairly stubborn and can occasionally be known to only do things when I want to do them. Sound familiar?
The last few years have taught me that the best way to approach life is with open arms. If you cling to something too tightly, it’s probably not meant to be yours. And at any point, your purpose and passion may change. All of the above are okay things. So today, in whatever season or place you’re in with life, I hope that these books can help guide you. Not knowing what you want to do can be scary but there’s a beauty in the unknown if you’re willing to embrace it. Let’s chat about some of my favorite books that helped me and will hopefully help you find your purpose too!
Restless by Jennie Allen*
My first few months after I moved home from Atlanta were an odd adjustment. I’d never planned to come back to PC nor did I think I would leave a life I worked so hard to create. There was one morning where I woke up and thought: I just feel so restless. Cut to an afternoon of me strolling through my favorite bookstore in Rosemary Beach – The Hidden Lantern. I don’t think I’d even planned to buy anything. I was on more of a get out of my head stroll but when I saw this book and knew I needed it.
There’s an entire section in here where Jennie walks you through the different events of your life. Seems silly because you’ve lived them right? But sometimes we live through the moments that transform us and never have a clue of their impact. I learned a lot about myself and how I function as a person based on my past from Restless. If you’re in a place right now where maybe you’re feeling a bit lost, I definitely feel like this book can help you find your purpose.
Start With Why by Simon Sinek*
There’s this power for me in discovering the why behind something. Sometimes it’s incredible simple: we recognize a piece of ourselves in whatever we are enjoying and that’s why we love it. Other times it’s because we are in a place where we are subconsciously healing or trying to fix a past mistake. Chelsea Handler learned a lot of this in her book Life Will Be The Death Of Me And You Too, one of my fave summer reads. But no matter what there is always a why behind what we do.
If could be that you find your purpose is bigger than this moment in time. You might need to help others in ways you could never fathom. And Simon does a great job at helping you see the why behind some of the most successful people. From my experience, one of the most powerful ways we can identify our purpose in life is to find the person whose career we want or dream of having. Then it’s all about the work from there and what it looks like for us individually. Nevertheless, getting outside of your own head and space can be key in helping your find your purpose.
GIRL, STOP APOLOGIZING BY RACHEL HOLLIS*
As much as I like to believe in the power of a moment, I also believe that the timing of the moment is just as important. And this book coincided with some very powerful moments for me this last spring. It’s amongst one of the many things I credit for the entire life change I’ve gone through over the last 8 months.
There are plenty of people on the internet and in life that can yell at you. They can tell you horrible things. They can teach you to live in a fear you never realized was holding you back in life. Or they can make you feel like you are less than the dirt on the bottom of their shoe. THOSE AREN’T THE PEOPLE YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE.
Maybe you don’t realize people are you holding you back. Even if they love you and you love them, it’s still a possibility. Sometimes you just need one voice that shows you the light and helps you find your path. Rachel’s book was one of the lights that helped me find my purpose. I’ve done a whole review on the book that you can read but I’ll say this. If you feel completely lost with no direction or sense of what you want, open your mind to this book and give it a chance. With a little work and the right timing, it might just change your life as well.
The Power Of Habit by charles duhigg*
I feel like I prattle on about habits all the time but when you can learn how to tweak them, it’s a game changer. It’s also helpful to learn your habits when you’re trying to find your purpose. Buried deep amongst the things you may not even think twice about is your normal. It’s the sequence of queues that determine how you operate. And when you’re doing a deep mental dive to create a life you love and find your purpose, you also have to question why you do what you do.
Sometimes, our habits are created out of survival mode. We adjust and adapt into a place that we don’t even realize. Our habits become this strong hold preventing us from our dreams but we don’t know because it’s just the things we do.It’s our normal. By understanding the way habits work, you can understand how you can use them to find your purpose. You might very well have a habit that’s a passion and purpose you’ve lost. It’s time to dig a little deeper and see what you discover.
Wherever you’re at on your journey of finding your purpose, I hope these books will help you find some clarity. There are some amazing exercises in both Restless* and Girl, Stop Apologizing that really helped me break my mental holds. And I know they can do amazing things for you.
Do you have any books you’re read that you feel like have changed your life? Anything you’d recommend that you think would be the perfection addition to today’s list? I’d love to hear from you! Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know. Until next time. Xoxo, Savvy
