Introduction: Are You Really Living–or Just Repeating Days?

Have you ever stopped to observe your daily routine?
You wake up, eat, go to work, return home, sleep–and repeat the same cycle every day. But have you ever questioned why you are living this way?

If you have never asked yourself what is your purpose in life, there is a strong chance that your life is running on autopilot. In autopilot mode, we follow routines without questioning them. We live by default rules set by society, circumstances, or fear–without consciously choosing our own direction or understanding the purpose of the life we are living.

Before moving forward, understand this clearly: this article is not meant for casual reading. If you are not interested in taking responsibility for your own life, it is better to stop here. This process requires honesty, seriousness, and willingness to face yourself.

If you truly want clarity, go to a quiet place. Take a pen and paper. Write down each question this article asks you and answer them one by one–without skipping ahead. If you quit midway, it is not a failure; it is a signal that you are avoiding an uncomfortable truth. And awareness of that avoidance is also part of the process.

So ask yourself honestly:

• Are you living consciously, or just repeating days?
• Are you choosing your life, or simply reacting to it?

When You Hear “Purpose of Life,” What Do You Actually Understand?

The first and most important question to reflect on is this: what does “purpose” truly mean to you–not to the world?
When you hear the phrase purpose of life, you may feel that its meaning is already obvious, as if it comes with a ready-made definition. But the real question is not how it is defined by books, society, or others–it is what it means personally to you.

Does purpose represent your existence in this world?
Is it a goal you once dreamed of achieving?
Or does it begin with a deeper question–why was I born, and what is my existence beyond labels such as job title, social role, or expectations?

For some people, purpose is something they never grow tired of–an activity or way of living they would willingly continue until their last breath. This idea is often discussed in concepts like Ikigai, where purpose is not what the world demands from you, but what gives your own life meaning and continuity.

Before trying to answer the question of the purpose of the life, pause and reflect on something more basic:
What does the word “purpose” itself mean to you?
Until you gain clarity on that single word, any answer you give may come from influence rather than understanding.

So take a moment and ask yourself–without rushing, without comparison–what does purpose mean in my life, in my own words?

Is Earning Money the Only Reason I Exist?

Most people go to work every day without truly knowing why they are doing it. Is it only for money? For family responsibilities? Social expectations? Fear of uncertainty? Or is it a conscious choice?

At some point, many of us stop talking to our inner conscience. We continue working, earning, and spending–often without questioning the deeper reason behind it. Ask yourself honestly:

• Why am I doing this job?
• Is it only for money, or for my parents, partner, children, or society?
• At what moment did I stop asking myself what I truly want?
• When did I last listen to my inner voice?

Money undoubtedly supports life. It provides comfort, stability, and security. But for most people, it is rarely the purpose of the life. Blindly working without understanding why often creates a quiet emptiness–one that grows silently over time.

After months or years in the same routine and mindset, many people suddenly realize how disconnected they feel. They sense that they are not doing what they truly want, they no longer remember why they chose this path, and they feel unable to leave it to pursue something meaningful. This realization often comes late–when time has already passed.

And at that stage, the strongest emotion is not lack of money, but regret. Regret for not questioning earlier. Regret for ignoring their inner voice.

This article is not here to offer solutions or directions. This moment is only about awareness. These are questions you must face honestly–because clarity cannot begin until awareness does.

So pause for a moment and ask yourself, without justification or explanation:
If money were no longer the concern, would I still choose this life?

Can I Do This Same Work Till Retirement–or My Last Breath?

This question acts as a powerful reality check when asked honestly. When you ask people whether they want to continue their current work until retirement–or even until their last breath–most answer no. Some are in jobs, some in business, and some are focused on earning more money, yet over time their passion quietly fades.

Now, turn this question toward yourself.

What you are doing right now–can you imagine doing this same work at the age of 60, or for the rest of your life? Sit with this question for a moment. Your first, honest response often reveals more than any long explanation ever could.

If your answer is yes, that clarity itself is valuable.
But if your answer is no, the next question becomes unavoidable:
Why am I still doing it?

Is it fear of uncertainty?
Is it comfort and familiarity?
Is it responsibility toward family or society?

Answering these questions does not mean you are judging yourself, feeling guilty, or regretting your choices. This is not self-criticism–it is self-observation. Observation helps you recognize the loop you may be stuck in, without blaming yourself for being there.

Now is the moment to write your answers down. Be honest, even if the truth feels uncomfortable. Do not justify, defend, or soften it. Just answer–clearly and truthfully.

Because purpose does not reveal itself through assumptions. It begins when you stop lying to your own inner self.

Is My Past Regret Controlling My Present Life?

Many people carry some form of regret in their present life. Missed opportunities, wrong decisions, career choices, or the familiar thought–“If only I had done things differently.” Over time, these unresolved regrets can quietly influence how we think, act, and choose our future.

Making mistakes is part of being human. Every life includes wrong decisions, missed chances, and moments we wish we could rewrite. But when regret is held too tightly, it begins to control not only the past–but the present and the future as well.

Think of it this way: if you hold onto the night, you cannot see the morning. In the same way, when regret dominates your thoughts, forward movement becomes difficult. You may feel stuck–not because you lack ability, but because your mind is still living in “what if” instead of “what now.”

At any moment, you have two choices. You can continue holding onto regret, or you can begin to see it as experience. Unresolved regret freezes growth, but awareness begins the release. Until you acknowledge it honestly, clarity around your direction–and even your purpose–remains blurred.

You cannot change what has already happened. But you can decide what role it plays in your life today. Acceptance does not mean approval; it means freeing yourself from mental weight.

So ask yourself quietly and honestly:

• What regret am I still carrying?
• How is it shaping my decisions today?
• Am I learning from it–or reliving it?

Sometimes, moving forward begins not with fixing the past, but with letting it go.

Was There a Dream I Once Had–but Quietly Buried?

Many adults quietly let go of their early dreams. Research on career and life satisfaction consistently shows that a large number of people feel they did not pursue what truly mattered to them, often due to financial pressure, fear, or growing responsibilities.

Most of us had a dream during childhood or our academic years–something we genuinely cared about. But once working life begins, those dreams often fade. Responsibilities increase, practicality takes over, and without a clear decision, the dream is slowly buried.

If you ask people around you about their early ambitions, many hesitate before answering. Some admit regret. Others say they never tried, never spoke up, or never fought for what they once wanted. Not because the dream lacked value–but because life demanded survival.

This unacknowledged loss often creates a quiet dissatisfaction. Even when life looks stable, something feels incomplete. For many, this becomes a hidden barrier in finding your life purpose, because clarity is difficult when an important part of you has been ignored.

So pause and ask yourself:

• What did I once dream of doing or becoming?
• When did I stop taking it seriously?
• Was it a choice–or did it slowly disappear?

Understanding the purpose of the life often begins by recognizing what you left behind–and why.

What Is Truly Precious to Me–If I’m Brutally Honest?

When you ask this question honestly, the answer may surprise you. For some, what is truly precious is their parents or family. For others, it may be their passion, their work, their country, or selfless service to people they care deeply about. In many cases, purpose is not about achievement–it is about devotion.

Research in long-term well-being and life satisfaction consistently shows that people who clearly understand what they value most tend to experience greater fulfillment, regardless of external success. What they protect, prioritize, and serve often becomes the foundation of their meaning.

The real challenge is that we rarely ask this question seriously. Society defines value for us–status, money, recognition–and we quietly accept those definitions without examining our own. But the purpose of the life cannot be borrowed from society; it must come from within.

Ask yourself plainly:

• What is the one thing I value beyond social approval?
• What would still matter to me even if no one noticed?
• What am I willing to protect, serve, or stand for consistently?

Many people avoid this question because it demands self-trust. Purpose cannot exist without trusting your own values more than external validation. If you do not trust yourself, everything feels replaceable–and nothing feels truly precious.

So pause here. Be honest. Because what you value most often points directly to what gives your life meaning.

Why You Should Not Discuss Your Purpose With Everyone?

Not everyone needs to know your purpose. When you share it too early or too openly, people often judge it through their own fears, values, and limitations. What feels meaningful to you–helping others, creating something, serving in your own way–may not make sense to them, and their opinions can quietly distract or discourage you.

Purpose is deeply personal. Conversations around what is a purpose of life often turn into comparisons, advice, or criticism–especially when others project their own priorities into your choices. Even close relationships may not fully understand what matters most to you, and that misunderstanding can create distance rather than support.

The purpose of the life is not meant to be debated or validated by everyone. It gains strength in clarity and silence, not in approval. Protect it until it becomes grounded through action.

So choose carefully who you speak to. Some journeys are meant to be walked quietly–because what truly belongs to you does not require constant explanation.

Write It Down–Because Unwritten Purpose Fades

Whatever answers come to you, write them down. Take each question seriously–one at a time–without skipping and without rushing ahead. Writing forces clarity where thinking alone often hides excuses.

When you write, you confront yourself honestly. There is no audience, no approval, and no escape. This simple act turns reflection into responsibility–because no one else is coming to define the purpose of the life for you.

Put it on paper. What is written becomes real. What remains unspoken slowly fades.

Conclusion: Be the Author of Your Own Life

The purpose of the life is not discovered by reading more books or collecting answers from others. It emerges when you ask yourself harder questions and take responsibility for the truth you uncover. Motivation fades, but responsibility builds clarity. This is the real beginning of finding your life purpose–and the next step is learning how to develop and live it, which Part 2 will explore.

Your life already has a story.
The only question is–are you the author or just a character?