Finding Your ‘Why’: The Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Your Dream Life

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Annmarie Borosic

What if the path to your dream life begins with a single question: Why? Take a look at where you’re sitting right now. What brings you there? Are you in the exact spot you’ve always imagined yourself to be? Maybe not quite that spot, but in this phase, in this place in your life? Is it everything you’ve hoped it could be or does it feel like you’re defeated and unsure where or how to move forward? Why do you feel that way?

I’ve learned that any plan I’ve made, desire I’ve had, or goal I’ve gone for has been because I wanted it deep within myself. There was something each of them would help me achieve within myself. My ‘why’ and my ‘purpose’ for being took me quite some time to understand. I don’t think it’s necessarily very often we sit here and contemplate why we’re doing or buying any of what we have. But it makes a difference when you hone in on your reasoning. 

Discovering Your True Purpose

When you get very granular with your reasoning, things around you will shift for better and worse. People will start to drop off from your life if you no longer feel that relationship is in alignment with your higher purpose. Things and opportunities will magically appear for you that help you propel forward to get you closer to whatever you desire. Understanding your purpose isn’t just about goals; it’s a personal development journey that shapes your future.

The Courage to Commit

Here’s the catch though – you need to go all in! I’m not saying, ‘Maybe I want this because if I have this then I’ll be this, but if it doesn’t happen I guess (insert reasoning here.)’ That’s not how it works. Get brutally honest with yourself, it’s what will help you feel fulfilled. It’s no one’s place to judge what’s within you, that’s yours. All yours. You’re the one looking at yourself in the mirror and you have to love the person staring back at you, so do it for that mirror reflection.

You’re right if you feel this sounds far easier than it is. This journey takes consistency, practice, and the courage to face your truths—but also celebrate the steps you’ve already taken. Each challenge you overcome is a testament to your strength and growth.

Avoiding the Social Media Trap

Social media has reshaped how we connect and compare. It’s easy to forget: would you truly trade lives with anyone, knowing their full story? Knowing their wounds, struggles, successes, pressures, and futures, we likely wouldn’t swap. No one is a stranger to challenges. Their enormity can vary, but we’re all trying to do our best with what we have. That includes you.

Go after what you want. It’s okay to dream bigger for yourself. It’s okay to have beautiful, large, seemingly impossible dreams. They aren’t impossible for one, and secondly, hope is a miraculous thing that can create things that even our wildest dreams couldn’t have seen coming.

The second you get super clear about your ‘why’, it will be much easier to obtain your desired life because you’ll cut out all of the noise and undoubtedly know that if something isn’t aligned with your purpose, it’s an easy snip and push forward. Without understanding your reason for being, and your why, you can then become easily distracted by everyone else’s needs and wants. With that, you’ll sooner wake up living someone else’s life, not yours.

Understanding your purpose through self-reflection is crucial in your personal growth journey.

“Understanding your purpose isn’t just about goals; it’s a personal development journey that shapes your future.”

To learn about your greater purpose and develop an immovable ‘why,’ here are a few reflective questions to get you started.

Discover Your ‘Why’: Self-Reflection Questions for Personal Growth

1. When you imagine your ideal life five to ten years from now, what emotions or feelings are most important for you to experience daily?

2. What would you still be passionate about pursuing even if you knew you might fail or never be recognized for it?

3. What conversations or topics energize you the most, and what does that say about what you care deeply about?

4. What activities or achievements give you profound satisfaction beyond external rewards or recognition?

5. If you could teach others something you’ve learned from your journey, what would it be, and why is that lesson important? 

As you move forward, remember your ‘why.’ It will lead you exactly where you need to go from here on out. Start your journey today—reflect, redefine, and rediscover your purpose!