The Search for Purpose: Why We Do What We Do

Every day, people wake up and go about their lives, some with a clear sense of direction, others simply moving through the motions. But why do we do what we do? What makes a person dedicate themselves to a craft, a career, or a cause? Why do some people push through challenges while others give up?

The answer lies in purpose. It is the unseen force that propels us forward, the meaning behind our actions, the reason why we endure struggles when quitting would be easier.

Purpose is not just an abstract concept—it is the foundation of all human ambition. It is why some people are willing to face ridicule, rejection, and even failure in pursuit of something greater than themselves.

And yet, in this age of automation and AI, many are beginning to question what purpose even means. If technology can do so much of what humans once did, where does that leave us?

This is the question we must wrestle with—not just as individuals, but as a society.

The Role of Purpose in a World of AI and Automation

We live in an era where machines can think, write, compose music, and even generate art. AI is revolutionizing industries, making processes faster and more efficient. But with this rapid advancement comes an unsettling thought:

If AI can do our work, what is left for us?

This fear is understandable. When a machine can design buildings, draft business plans, or even write poetry, we begin to wonder if human creativity is still relevant.

But here’s the truth: AI can assist, but it cannot replace human purpose.

• AI can generate music, but it cannot feel the emotions behind a melody.

• AI can write poetry, but it cannot live the experiences that give poetry its depth.

• AI can suggest architectural designs, but it cannot understand what makes a home feel like home.

Purpose is not just about what we do—it is about why we do it. Machines may be able to perform tasks, but they lack intent, they lack soul, they lack the deeper meaning that drives human action.

This is why purpose matters now more than ever. In a world where automation is everywhere, the things that make us human—our passions, our creativity, our values—are what will set us apart.

The Illusion of Comfort: Why Many People Avoid Seeking Purpose

If purpose is so powerful, why do so many people drift through life without it?

One reason is comfort. It is easier to go with the flow than to actively shape our own path. Many people avoid setting goals, not because they don’t want to achieve them, but because they are afraid of failure.

Think about how many people refuse to make New Year’s resolutions because "they never stick."

Or how many avoid looking at their bank statements because "they already know the number won’t be good."

This avoidance is a form of self-protection. If we don’t track our progress, we don’t have to face our shortcomings. If we don’t define what we want, we don’t have to deal with the discomfort of not having it yet.

But avoiding reality does not change it. Not tracking your progress does not mean you’re succeeding. Not setting goals does not mean you won’t be disappointed.

It simply means you are drifting.

The Holocaust and the Power of Meaning in Survival

Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote that those who survived the concentration camps were often not the physically strongest, but the ones who had something to live for.

They found purpose even in the darkest of places.

Some lived to see their families again. Some held onto their faith. Some simply refused to let the cruelty of their captors define them.

But those who lost their sense of meaning, those who felt they had nothing left to live for, faded away. Their life force diminished, not because their bodies gave out, but because their will to live had already disappeared.

This is a haunting but profound truth: Purpose is not just about ambition. It is about survival. When we lose our sense of why, we begin to deteriorate—emotionally, mentally, and even physically.

Purpose Beyond Money: What Are We Really Chasing?

One of the most revealing ways to understand purpose is by looking at people who chase money.

There are countless social experiments where a person is treated one way when they appear poor and another way when they are revealed to be wealthy. The shift in behavior is often shocking.

But here’s the thing: People who chase wealth are not really after money. They are after what money can give them.

• Some want status.

• Some want security.

• Some want power.

• Some want freedom.

Money is just a means to an end.

And this is why wealth alone does not bring fulfillment. Because if money was the answer, billionaires would be the happiest people on earth. Yet, we see many of them still searching for meaning, turning to philanthropy, spirituality, or new creative pursuits.

Because in the end, purpose is not found in acquiring—it is found in creating, in giving, in contributing.

How Writing Helps Us Find and Refine Purpose

One of the simplest but most powerful ways to uncover purpose is through writing.

Writing is an act of reflection. It forces us to pause, to articulate our thoughts, to ask ourselves difficult questions.

• What do I really want?

• What am I doing that no longer serves me?

• What do I need to change?

Without writing things down, our thoughts become a chaotic swirl of worries, ideas, and emotions. Writing gives us clarity.

Think of it like cleaning a messy room. When everything is scattered, it feels overwhelming. But as soon as you start sorting things—placing objects in their rightful places, throwing out what you no longer need—the chaos disappears.

Writing does the same thing for the mind.

It organizes our thoughts. It helps us identify what truly matters. It gives us a roadmap forward.

Finding Purpose in Everyday Life

Finding purpose does not mean you have to change the world overnight.

Sometimes, purpose is found in the small things:

• A teacher who inspires a struggling student.

• A musician who plays for an audience of one.

• A writer who captures a moment in time.

The size of the action does not matter. What matters is that it is meaningful.

Some people find purpose in their careers. Others find it in their families. Some find it in art, in spirituality, in teaching, in helping others.

There is no single definition of purpose—only the one that resonates with you.

The Final Thought: Living with Purpose Every Day

At the end of the day, purpose is what separates existing from truly living.

• It is what drives people to keep going even when the road is difficult.

• It is what makes work feel meaningful instead of mundane.

• It is what brings depth to our relationships, our projects, our dreams.

And in a world that is rapidly changing—where AI can do more and more of what humans once did—purpose is what will define us.

So ask yourself: What drives you? What excites you? What are you willing to struggle for?

And if you don’t have an answer yet—start writing.

Because sometimes, the purpose of our lives are waiting to be unravelled like a mystery just laying dormant for the right time for us to discover.