US EditionWhy the search for meaning can cause ‘purpose anxiety,’ and what to do about it
LANGLADE COUNTY, WISCONSIN, AUG 6 – The term highlights how societal pressures to find life meaning can cause anxiety despite evidence linking purpose to better health, noted in a 2025 Pew Research Center survey.
- Psychotherapist and author Jody Day said that many people experience 'purpose anxiety' as they struggle to find meaning without traditional roles like motherhood.
- The phrase "purpose anxiety" was reportedly introduced in 2014 by Larissa Rainey, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, during a period when religious affiliation was declining but has since stabilized.
- Experts like Michael Steger and Todd Kashdan advise that purpose should be seen as a compass guiding personal aims rather than a fixed goal, encouraging gradual exploration instead of immediate certainty.
- Author Jordan Grumet, in *The Purpose Code*, differentiates between a major, ambitious life purpose and smaller, everyday meaningful activities, noting that many people become overwhelmed trying to identify the grand purpose often highlighted on social media, while overlooking more accessible sources of fulfillment such as hobbies or community involvement.
- Day concludes that embracing the privilege of being alive and awake, and focusing on accessible sources of meaning, can alleviate purpose anxiety and cultivate a fulfilling life despite uncertainty.
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Having a purpose is good for you. But what happens when searching for it causes anxiety?
People with a strong sense of purpose tend to be physically and mentally healthier. But with so much at stake, the quest for it has become a source of angst. What to know about ‘purpose anxiety’.
·Northbridge, Australia
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Associated Press News+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
Why the search for meaning can cause ‘purpose anxiety,’ and what to do about it
We hear it from the time we're little. Find your purpose and you'll lead a healthier and more satisfying life. But how do you define purpose?
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left11Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Left
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources lean Left
61% Left
L 61%
C 33%
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