I have very mixed feelings about the importance of all of us finding our purpose in recovery, especially when recovery is by definition its own purpose. I've had plenty of conversations with women who feel like purpose-seeking is an integral part of their healing journey.
But I've also heard a lot of women talk about how they feel pressure to find purpose when really they just want to live a more balanced, happy life with the people they love. I think that the difference is largely in how we think about purpose; we've been conditioned to think that a life purpose has to be a big deal that is impactful for a lot of people.
What if our purpose is simply to heal and be the best version of ourselves that we can be, to love ourselves and the people around us? My dear friend Jen Pastiloff has a beautiful quote that I think captures purpose perfectly.
Jen says, "When I get to the end of my life, and I ask one final ‘What have I done?' let my answer be ‘I have done love.' " I can't think of a better way to think about purpose. Can you?
My purpose is to lean into each day and live it the best way that I can.