Your Soul’s Wake-Up Call: How to Rediscover Purpose and Embrace Change
Are You Standing at a Crossroads?
Have you ever felt stuck—like you're standing at a crossroads, questioning everything, and wondering, What’s next? Maybe life feels like it’s pressing the pause button, even though your heart is whispering (or maybe even shouting), It’s time for a change.
If that sounds familiar, let me tell you—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
Success on the Outside, Stuck on the Inside
Less than a decade ago, my life may have looked picture-perfect from the outside. I had a wonderful husband and family, a master’s degree in management, and a successful career in corporate healthcare leadership with a life coaching practice on the side. I traveled constantly for work, climbing the professional ladder like I thought I was supposed to. By all external measures, I was thriving.
But inside, it was a different story.
Around this time, I faced a series of personal challenges that shook me to my core. I became the caregiver for my mother, and in the span of a few years, I lost both my father and my uncle. Grief, exhaustion, and anxiety began to take over. I remember one day in particular, crying as I drove to the airport for yet another flight across the country. My body was screaming at me to stop. I felt trapped by the life I had built for myself—successful on the outside but completely disconnected from who I truly was inside.
I remember one day in particular that I felt overcome with emotion and was crying on my way to the airport. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving for yet another cross-country business trip. I was mentally and physically exhausted. My soul was speaking to me—actually, more like screaming—that something was missing. It was time to stop pushing through and really listen.
But I felt trapped by the lifestyle I’d created for myself—successful on the outside but completely out of sync with my inner self. I made a good income and felt like I had to stay in the corporate world. I felt isolated, scared, and unsure of how to move forward.
When Life Says, ‘It’s Time for a Change’
It didn’t happen all at once. At first, I tried to keep going, hoping I could push through the exhaustion. But my body had other plans. The anxiety, sleepless nights, and overwhelming stress wouldn’t let up. I knew I couldn’t keep living this way. My soul was no longer whispering—it was screaming that something needed to change.
I began to slow down, one small step at a time. I took long walks in nature, letting the quietness clear my mind. I turned to soulful practices like meditation and yoga, practices that helped me reconnect with myself. Little by little, the truth started to rise to the surface: I wasn’t meant to chase corporate success anymore. My purpose was calling me in a new direction—to guide other women through their own transformations, helping them realign with their truth.
But let’s be real—making that leap wasn’t easy. I was terrified. What if I failed? What if I regretted leaving my career? These questions haunted me. I realized, though, that the fear and resistance were part of the transformation itself. The discomfort was proof that I was stepping into growth.
And it was worth it. While it didn’t happen overnight, I eventually found peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, I get to do work that lights me up—helping other women navigate their own pivotal moments, guiding them to build lives that feel aligned and meaningful.
What I’ve Learned
Maybe you're feeling the same way I did—exhausted, overwhelmed, or like life has become a series of tasks that leave you feeling empty at the end of the day. I've learned that this sense of stuckness isn't a sign of failure—it’s actually your soul calling you to grow.
When you feel stuck, I encourage you to pause and ask:
What might life be trying to tell me right now?
What would happen if I trusted myself to explore the next step?
Sometimes, that’s all you need to unlock a new chapter. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it’s where the magic happens.
So, if you're feeling stuck, know this: You’re on the edge of something beautiful and you don’t have to do it alone.
Your Purpose Is Closer Than You Think
Purpose is the deeper reason you’re here—the force that lights your way in life. It’s often tied to your values, passions, and how you contribute to the world in ways that feel authentic. It’s less about a specific job or role and more about living in alignment with who you truly are.
Let’s say your purpose is to nurture others and foster connection. You may express this through various roles: being a parent, a teacher, or a healer. When you're in flow, engaged in meaningful activities that reflect this purpose, you feel a sense of purpose. However, if you get caught up in stress, external expectations, or activities that don't align with your core values, that sense of purpose may temporarily fade.
Living with purpose doesn’t just feel good—it can transform your entire well-being. Research shows that a clear sense of purpose can improve your physical health, increase resilience during stressful times, and boost your overall happiness. This is because purpose helps you flow with life’s natural rhythms instead of constantly fighting against them.
Seasons of Purpose: What’s True for You Now?
Purpose is not static. It may shift as you go through different phases of life. For example:
When you're raising young children, your primary purpose may revolve around nurturing and guiding them.
Later, your purpose may expand to mentoring others, contributing to your community, or pursuing spiritual growth.
The common thread is alignment with your core values and what brings you fulfillment. Each expression of purpose builds on the experiences that came before.
Have you ever felt your purpose shift as your life circumstances changed?
Your Purpose Is Bigger Than Your Job
For years, I tied my sense of self-worth to my corporate role. I thought purpose and career success were one and the same. But I learned that purpose is so much bigger than your job.
Purpose can be expressed through relationships, creativity, community involvement, and personal growth.
Expanding your view of purpose gives you permission to explore all dimensions of your life. For example, if you're raising young children, your purpose during this season may center on nurturing and guiding them. Later, your focus might shift toward creative expression or mentorship.
You are always evolving, and your purpose evolves with you.
Simple Ways to Reconnect to Your Purpose
Feeling called to realign with your purpose? Here are some steps to guide you:
1. Practice Presence
Ground yourself in the present moment through daily rituals. You can start with simple grounding rituals like deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature.
2. Identify Your Core Values
List your core values and assess how your current lifestyle aligns with them. If there are misalignments, think about small shifts you can make to move closer to your truth.
3. Explore Your Strengths and Passions
Reflect on what brings you joy and a sense of flow. What activities light you up and make time disappear?
You might also create a vision board to visualize the dreams that call your destiny.
4. Trust Your Intuition
“This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they've never been. There is no map. We are all pioneers." ~Glennon Doyle
As Glennon Doyle reminds us, there’s no map for your life. Trusting your intuition means letting go of the need for external validation and following your own unique path.
5. Ask the Right Questions
Finding your purpose isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking yourself the right questions and following where your intuition leads. Here are a few reflective questions to help you clarify your purpose:
What activities bring you a sense of flow, where time seems to disappear?
What are your core values?
What have people always thanked you for or sought your advice on?
What dreams keep recurring in your mind and heart?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
6. Work with a Coach
A professional coach can provide support, guidance, and accountability to help you clarify your purpose and navigate life’s transitions. Coaching also helps you build trust in your inner wisdom and take intentional steps toward your dreams.
Listen to Your Soul and Take the Next Step
Finally, remember to be gentle with yourself. You don’t have to have everything figured out today. Transformation unfolds one step at a time. The most important thing is to trust your journey, listen to your soul, and take that next small, authentic step.
