Finding Purpose and Meaning in the Midst of Anxiety
There’s a restless buzz at the edges of your mind that never quite lets you be. You try to scroll it away – hours lost on your phone, YouTube autoplaying, desperate for distraction. You try to keep up with what’s expected, finishing university, landing a job that maybe doesn’t really fit who you are or where you envisioned being. You have fantasies of chasing dreams like travel, more outings with friends, perhaps finding a romantic connection. But as time passes, those desires feel more distant, like they belong to someone else. You feel numb, disconnected, like you’re sleepwalking through your days. You don’t know exactly what’s wrong, but deep down, you know: something isn’t right.
This isn’t just clinical anxiety. It’s existential unrest.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re overdue for something deeper: a rediscovery of meaning and purpose that anxiety has been quietly trying to point you toward.
Listening to What Anxiety Is Saying
Our culture has trained us to treat anxiety as a glitch (something to suppress, control, or fix). We chase quick hacks: distractions like TikTok reels that briefly take our minds off things but soon lead us into doomscrolling. We ask ChatGPT what to do, and it gives us something validating, but then we get caught in a loop of still feeling off, still searching for something more.
But anxiety rarely disappears through distraction or surface-level fixes because it’s not a malfunction. It’s a signal.
That low hum of discomfort? That restless energy? It’s your consciousness telling you, “You’re out of sync.” Maybe your job feels meaningless, your relationships shallow, or your daily routine empty. Maybe you’re grinding toward goals that aren’t yours. Anxiety is asking you to pause and listen.
If you can lean into that discomfort instead of running from it, you open a door to something far more powerful than relief, you open the door to clarity and purpose.
The Happiness Trap
Somewhere along the way, we were sold a story that life should feel good most of the time. That the ultimate goal is happiness. That if we do things right: get the degree, the job, the apartment, the vacation – we’ll feel happy, stable, and fulfilled. That success and happiness should come easily, without mess, doubt, or struggle.
But real life doesn’t work that way. Especially not a meaningful one.
The pursuit of constant happiness can leave us chasing quick highs and avoiding discomfort, which means we often miss the deeper, more grounded rewards that come from showing up fully for our lives. Purpose doesn’t live in your comfort zone or your perfectly curated feed. It’s shaped through challenges, reflection, and the small, brave choices you make every day.
Values as your Compass towards Meaning & Purpose
Purpose isn’t a lightning bolt of sudden insight. It’s a gradual process of peeling back layers and asking honest questions like:
What am I really craving beyond distractions and dopamine hits?
What values do I want my life to reflect, regardless of others’ expectations?
When do I feel most alive and true to myself?
What small steps can I take today that align with that truth?
You don’t need all the answers now. You just need to start listening to your inner compass.
Therapy: The Safe Space to Find Direction When You Feel Lost
If you’re struggling to connect the dots on your own, therapy can be a powerful tool, not just for managing anxiety but for rediscovering your values and purpose. It’s not about “fixing” you; it’s about building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
A skilled therapist helps you cut through the noise of cultural conditioning, social comparison, and digital distraction, supporting you in tuning into your own voice. Therapy is the place where your “off” feeling is validated, understood, and transformed into actionable insight.
Your Journey Starts Now
You don’t need to wait for a crisis or “figure it all out” before making changes. Purpose is built in small, consistent steps taken toward what matters most to you.
If anxiety is telling you that something is off, don’t just push it down or wait for it to pass. Not making a change is still a choice—a choice to stay on the same path that’s already leaving you feeling disconnected. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. But you do need to start listening. And when you’re ready, reach out for support that helps you move with intention instead of drift.
About the Author
Jessica Miskiewicz is a Canadian Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Psychotherapist who helps individuals make sense of modern anxiety and search for meaning and purpose through a values based therapeutic approach. To book an appointment click here.