Feeling Blah? 4 Tips to Regain your Sense of Purpose

Do you feel like you're running on auto-pilot on most days? Here are some practical tips to help you take (back) command as the pilot of your life.

So you've just got the promotion you've been working so hard for. You celebrate - sure, it is nice to have more money, the job title, recognition... Weeks later, out of nowhere, you think, what's next? Then a train of thought creeps into your mind - isn't there more to life than climbing the proverbial ladder? Am I like a hamster riding this wheel called life? What would it take for me to be truly happy?

Many highly motivated people reach in a point in life where they feel 'blah'. Guess what, there is a term for it - it's called 'languishing', coined by sociologist, Corey Keyes. His research outlines the continuum of mental health where it is flourishing on one end and depression on the other end. And where does languishing sit in this continuum? You've probably guessed it. It's right in the middle - a void of meaninglessness, stagnation and monotony where people feel 'blah', dissatisfaction or a general lack of motivation.

“Languishing - a void of meaninglessness, stagnation and monotony where people feel 'blah', dissatisfaction or a general lack of motivation."

So what do you do if you are languishing? (read the signs here).

Firstly, acknowledge that you are languishing and that it's absolutely okay to not feel okay. Now that you're self-aware, here are some tips to chase the blahs away.

4 TIPS TO REGAIN YOUR SENSE OF PURPOSE

Do that (meaningful) thing you've been putting it off. Think about that 'important; non-urgent' thing you have been procrastinating for the longest time. If the mission seems daunting, consider what baby steps you can take now. Communicate and align on expectations at home and work - and even better, find opportunities to integrate your passion(s) with your personal and professional priorities. Once you've taken that small (or big) step, you may feel tired but yet have so much more energy to give and be compelled to do it again, and again, and again! These are all deposits into your 'meaning' bank account.
Consciously prioritise. We may relate to being restless hyper-achievers who want it all, or people pleasers who avoid conflict at all cost. Here's a tip - before saying yes to something, consider: 'What will you need to say no to?', and 'How does this connect to your life purpose and your values?' If you are not being conscious enough, chances are that these distractions, while seemingly serving your need for acceptance (and self-acceptance), may lead to you losing touch with any deeper emotional need for fulfilment.
Be grateful for the good and the bad. When you are feeling down, pause for a moment to reflect, 'What can I appreciate from this experience?'. Citing the law of attraction, channel this appreciation into positive action. These past several weeks have been hellish for me after my employer announced layoffs. My immediate response was anger and then I thought, what can I appreciate from this? How can anger be empowering? A few weeks later, I launched my coaching business and re-ignited my passion for writing. The point I am trying to make here is that we can either choose to mope around... or channel our thoughts and feelings into creating the best outcome of an unfortunate situation. Even if you didn't achieve your desired outcome, you'll more likely feel better or more at peace for having tried and learning through the process.
Speak to someone who can hold space for you - whether a coach, mentor or a friend. You'd be amazed at how much you don't know about yourself and what is important to you (Johari's window). Sometimes, we can get so wrapped up in our histories and habitual patterns that we are unable to see through the fog. Through coaching, coaches help coachees gain insight into their true life purpose and values through a series of visualisations and thought-provoking questions. Together, self-fulfilling prophecies are uncovered, and both coach and coachee engage in a creative process of self-discovery, learning and empowered action.

These are my suggested tips - I leave them here with you with no attachment. I also leave you with a dose of fierce courage: 'What would you do if you weren't afraid?'