Let's Nurture Small "Likes" Instead of Big "Goals" ─ For Those Who Can't See Their Life's Purpose: 6 Tips to Unravel Purpose Anxiety

The term "purpose anxiety" is being discussed in media outlets such as the American local newspaper Daily Breeze. In this article, we will organize the content, background research, and actual reactions on social media, connecting it to the lifestyle perceptions of Japanese people.Ground News

1. What is "purpose anxiety"?

"Purpose anxiety" can be literally translated as "anxiety of purpose," but to put it more simply,

it refers to the unease and pressure born from the feeling that "there must be a grand purpose in life, but I haven't found it."

This concept was proposed by Larissa Rainey, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, as a psychological concept where the pursuit of life's purpose paradoxically leads to anxiety and self-denial.repository.upenn.edu

In one survey, it was reported that 91% of people have felt purpose anxiety at some point in their lives.Healthline
In other words, this is not a unique problem for a few people but seems to be a "pitfall that almost everyone falls into at least once."

2. Why is "finding a purpose" becoming a source of anxiety now?

(1) The mantra of "Find your purpose"

In both the West and Japan, self-help books and social media timelines are filled with messages like,

• "Find your mission."

• "Seek the 'one thing' you can devote your passion to."

In an article summarized by the Associated Press, researchers point out that while "having a purpose" itself positively impacts health and happiness, the pressure of "finding it quickly" creates anxiety and depression.AP News

(2) Traditional "pillars of purpose" have weakened

In the past,

• religion

• family and child-rearing

• community involvement

naturally provided people with a "purpose in life." However, as beliefs and family views have diversified and future prospects have become uncertain, we are now in an era where"you design your own purpose."AP News

While this is liberating, it also comes with the immense pressure of "there is no correct answer written anywhere."

(3) Social media has become a showcase for "perfect purposes"

On platforms like Substack and Instagram, purpose anxiety is discussed as "one of the products of the social media age."

• "Startup CEOs changing the world"

• "Creators living solely on their passion"

• "Social entrepreneurs driven by a sense of mission"

With such "glamorous" stories flooding in,those who work and live ordinarily may feel like they are incredibly "purposeless."Jordan Grumet

3. Reactions to "purpose anxiety" on social media

When the Daily Breeze article was shared, voices like the following were prominent on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram (summarized and restructured from typical reactions).

(1) The "Relieved to have a name" group

"I thought I was a failure for not finding my 'calling' even in my 30s. Having the name purpose anxiety made me feel a bit relieved, like 'Oh, it's not just me.'"

"The assumption that 'No purpose = No meaning in life' was tough. I was saved by the explanation that 'It's normal to feel anxious.'"

Such voices are particularly common among those in their 20s and 30s, who are prone to career uncertainties.

(2) The "Skeptical of self-help business" group

"Isn't the business of selling expensive seminars increasing purpose anxiety by stirring up 'You're unhappy without a purpose'?"

"Aren't those selling 'ways to find your mission' on social media the real winners of this purpose anxiety boom...?"

Many comments express caution or fatigue towards the "sellers" rather than the "purpose" itself.Jordan Grumet

(3) The "Isn't a small purpose enough?" group

"Isn't it enough to just 'make one friend laugh today' without changing the world?"

"I think valuing 'small pleasures' like balcony gardening or supporting your favorite things is a respectable purpose."

Voices resonating with the idea of valuing "small p (small purpose)" over "Big P (big Purpose)" as introduced in the article are particularly rising from dual-income households and child-rearing generations.AP News

4. The psychological mechanism of "purpose anxiety"

According to research in psychology and positive psychology, people with a higher sense of purpose in life tend to have lower symptoms of depression and anxiety and better health.econtent.hogrefe.com

However, when the message "have a purpose"

• triggers endless self-checks and comparisons like "I feel this job isn't my 'calling,'"

• "There must be a mission more suitable for me,"

• "What if my life ends before I find it?"

, the purpose becomes not a mental support but a "check test."

Research indicates that people with strong purpose anxiety are more likely to

• frequently change jobs

• fall into "imposter syndrome," feeling like a fraud

• be exhausted by constantly thinking about future images rather than enjoying "the present"

Psychology Today

5. Five perspectives to lighten "purpose anxiety"

Based on comments from experts covered by Daily Breeze, related research, and articles from other media, here are some tips to ease purpose anxiety.Ground News

5-1. Break the curse of "Purpose = Once-in-a-lifetime mission"

• You don't have to decide on just one purpose.

• It can change depending on the time and environment, and there can be multiple purposes.

Think of it as light as a "compass"
—something that indicates which direction you want to go, making it much easier to handle.AP News

5-2. Nurture "small p" over "Big P"

Writer and physician Jordan Grumet emphasizesfocusing on "purpose (small p) as daily small satisfactions" rather than "Purpose (Big P) as a grand ideal."AP News

• Chatting with friends

• Enjoying favorite games or supporting your interests

• Small home gardening

• Volunteering or community activities

Even things that seem like "just hobbies" certainly enrich your life and those around you as "small purposes."

5-3. The Japanese concept of "ikigai" and purpose anxiety

In Japan, there is the concept of "ikigai".
This encompasses not only "life's meaning" but also "daily joys" and "small pleasures," offering a softer sense of purpose.Wikipedia

• You don't have to save the world

• You don't have to be "super competent" at work

• Valuing family, immersing in favorite works, cooking delicious meals...

Each of these is already your "ikigai" and "purpose." When tired of purpose anxiety, recalling the Japanese "ikigai perspective" might be effective.

5-4. Tune your distance with social media

In many discussions about purpose anxiety, the "influence of social media" is repeatedly raised as an issue.##HTML