Finding Purpose and Self-Reflection Through Stillness
You see those pretty pictures on Instagram.Glamorous photos in Thailand, India, Italy, and otherworldly places. They always have the same elements. A person looks introspective in front of a gorgeous backdrop, and the caption spouts self-awareness.You start to think you need to go on one of these adventures and find yourself.You’re jealous. You wonder why your life isn’t perfect like that. You wonder what you’re doing wrong.What is it that makes their life so much better? You wish you could trade lives, that you could get the hell away from your own life.We all feel that way from time to time. Life is far from easy, and sometimes you wish there was an ‘out’ button.At the very least, a ‘pause’ button or ‘begin from last starting point.’It’s normal to feel this way. These picture-perfect lives you see portrayed on Instagram make it hard not to.While other people are going on grandiose adventures finding themselves, you continue to feel lost.But you don’t need to escape to find yourself.You can find your purpose, without the need for exotic vacations. Finding yourself doesn’t have to cost you a couple of grand. It’s going to be painful and take work either way.What you need is a two-pronged approach: stillness and action.Stillness is essential to getting to the root of the issues. When you become still, you can spend time doing the deep work.You can reflect and answer the big questions about yourself.To find stillness, remove yourself from the chaos of everyday life. Find a place of solitude.Once you find stillness, the real change in you starts.
It’s easy to run away from yourself and your thoughts.
Because when you stop and stand still, you have to face who you are. You have to face your thoughts.You can run away from it all you want, but it’s always going to be there.You don’t have to go anywhere to do this. You can do this from the space in your bedroom.If life is particularly hectic and hard to focus on, you may choose to travel somewhere quiet. That doesn’t mean you have to hop on a plane to Thailand.You can go for a walk or drive, without music, or go immerse yourself in nature.
There is truth in stillness.
In stillness, you can answer questions about what matters to you. It frees up your brain space to process deeper and make connections.Once this happens, you move into the next phase. Action.Rarely do people have their purpose bestowed upon them. More likely, you have to work to find your purpose.Since you’ve spent the time in stillness, you may find yourself with some new answers.You want to take that information and take intentional steps based on your wants and needs. You’re taking the proactive approach.In order to find your purpose, you will go through a series of these processes as you get closer to your goals.At first, you’re looking to make a small change. You want to take steps in the direction of your wants.This can look like anything.
- Playing guitar for ten minutes
- Write 500 words
- Read one page
- Walk to the end of the block
- Clean off your chair
The prime mistake everyone makes, in the beginning, is they expect the change to happen overnight. They expect that since they’re doing the work, they’ll get results.Long-lasting results don’t happen overnight. They require sustained effort.You can change your life. It’s going to require some reflection and work, but it’s all doable.Find stillness and you find clarity.Once you have stillness, you can use it to guide your actions.It’s funny that the two ends of the spectrum are stillness and action. But, it leads to self-reflection. Done properly, you will learn more about yourself and your needs.Let yourself be guided by the stillness.You can find inner peace.You can find purpose.You can find joy.All it takes is self-reflection through stillness.
