I’m 31 now and in an odd place with my career. For most of my 20s, video editing was both my career and my passion. I made good money at it, and for a long time I thought the skillset itself was the thing I loved. But over the past few years, I’ve realized that what really fuels me isn’t editing for others. It’s more so using those same skills to express something I actually care about.

That realization led me into a sabbatical during which I’ve gotten into YouTube and course creation. I’m building content around more niche, spiritual, and personal subjects. It’s been fulfilling in a way that cutting commercials or client reels never was. The problem is, I’m haunted by questions of long-term viability and sustainability. I know how to make money with editing in marketing, but returning to that world feels soul-sucking and mundane now. I have a long runway but I may have to go back to full time work eventually.

My passion has shifted from “the craft itself” to “using the craft as a vehicle for deeper meaning.” But with that shift has come ego fluctuation, doubt, and this nagging sense that I’m “doing life wrong” because I no longer feel lit up by what once paid the bills.

I’m curious if others here have gone through something similar, when your original passion morphs into something more niche or spiritually driven, and you’re left navigating the tension between expression and financial sustainability.

How did you handle that shift without feeling like you betrayed your younger self?

I lately struggled with my inner balance and it made me curious how you guys handle it? :)

When do you feel most challenged mentally or emotionally these days, and what was going on? How did you try to handle it, and what didn’t work as well as you hoped? Thanks for sharing — I really value your voice here 🙏

Hey guys, I built an app for people who sometimes feel a bit lost. It helps you to: 1. Find clear purpose and goals to chase 2. Reflect on your daily actions 3. Get an AI-powered overview of your strengths and weaknesses based on your reflections

I made this because I feel like most self-improvement apps (like simple habit trackers) don’t really make a big impact. I just finished my first prototype and I’d love for people to try it out and give me feedback.

If you’re interested, just DM me and I’ll send you the beta link( for free ofc)

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about how if ai were to take over sports I wouldn’t watch and I think part of it is first the lack of originality and the playing field becoming so even but also the only thing to look up to in the end of these sports would be the programs not the the bots or players like we do now all these stories and I ideas of hope we have are pushed forward and reignited by the inspiring nature of players story eight gut wrenching past or new creative last minute shots

Anybody who's truly discovered passionate pursuit: does that passion continue or grow and sustain itself over a lifetime or do you need to keep finding new passions?

I'm a pupil and 2 months ago I finished the 10th grade and now have come to realize, that I have to dicide on a career or at least a direction in life, because I have two years left in school and, that for me seemed a lot of time half a year ago(before I knew the whole situation and it's nuances). But right now in our country they have made it so you have to choose the subjects your going to learn for the next 2 years ahead of time and therefore almost limit your direction in career even before finishing school. So before that piece of text I'll have a short version of it at the bottom, that will start with ,,Short version" and it won't go into details, but will be more concise.

  My concern is, that all my life, or at least how much I remember of it, I have placed my self in the ,, architecture, design and etc" bracket, but really the only thing, that connects me with this kind of direction is my lego obsessed childhood, love for drawing and probably some people, that I admire because of their success in architecture, so to be fair a lot more, than I thought, but still a very stinky bases to make a desicion from about my careers options.😅🫣So I'm concerned, that my career is going to be based of a hunch and not love for the craft, because it would mean, that I couldn't be fulfilled by work and if I'm sure about one thing is, that any and every human should do everything at 101% if it's to any significant to them(even the little things), because only then you can feel the growth of your soul and achieve greatness and harness your full potential in your choosen path. So I'm sure, that I want to choose a path, which I can obsess about and spend every second of my time harnessing my potential and striving for mastery and which has the room for said growth. 

And then this problem: I want so badly to dedicate my life to a sport, specifically voleyball, and I know, that I have the ability to grow massively and reach mastery of said art, which is my main goal in having a career. But my concern is it may lead to a miserable life or at least from what I've heard. I'm a lover of the modern wisdom podcast( I love, what he has to say on a lot of topics and he stays so relaxed and well spoken on any topic at any part of the episode. So only love that way) and their he has this theory about high performance which is called: ,,the curse of competence". Which basically says, that if your good at things and have high standard you will assume, that you have to do well always, so even success is the minimum level of reasonable performance and anything under that is failure and therefore you aren't capable of celebrating, because there isn't anything you can achieve, that will be a cause for celebrating and this path will lead you to a successful, but damn miserable life. And this concerns me, because I feel, that if I'm planning on going down the path of mastery in any field, this curse is going to haunt me.

Short version: 1. My first concern is about choosing a profession in life, because I have never felt a deep connection with any field, but my first option, if nothing else comes to mind in the next 2 years, is to study architecture or spatial design. But this could lead to a unfulfilled life, because I yearn for a career choice, that will have me thinking about it all the time and obsessing over it. 2. And then the second problem is, that I want to dedicate my life to voleyball, because I know I could make it to the big leagues and the thought of unfulfilled potential is tearing me a part. But I also know, that kind of career could lead to miserable life, because of the curse of competence.

So yeah.. My plan for now is to start training really hard in voleyball and then maybe see, what changes in the next year and if there is any truth to my words, that I could play at high level. And also start learning drawing and painting for design or architecture portfolio.

If anyone answers to me, I will be eternaly grateful even if it's harsh critique, because I'm truthfully trying to find a way out of this mess and any opinion, view and words could take part in my decision and, so, I'l appreciate it. And if anything isn't clear, i'm very sorry and it's probably, because my first language isn't english, but I'll be happy to clear that up if there is a need.

Hey everyone,

I’ve noticed in myself that I often end up sabotaging the things that actually matter to me.
Sometimes I lose focus, sometimes I run out of energy, and sometimes doubt just creeps in.

I’m really curious how this shows up for other people — maybe we can learn from each other’s experiences.

My questions for you:

1. What holds you back the most in everyday life from living what truly matters to you?
2. If you’ve ever tried to make a change in your life — what was your biggest obstacle along the way?
3. What do you personally need — in terms of support, mindset, or environment — to truly stick with it when you want to change something for yourself?

I’m looking forward to hearing your stories — I feel like there are so many unique perspectives out there.

Realize that you are not going to know what life is really about. Things constantly change, including what you once thought was your purpose, and that is the nature of this life.

Take each moment as it comes, and be in it fully. Enjoy the little things life offers you; this could be kids, food, etcetera

Make plans but don't be invested in the outcome, as we really don't know what tomorrow brings. If you succeed or otherwise, it's okay, just keep moving on like a river, undisturbed by outcomes, afterall you did what you could.

So due to recent events in my life I had a realization that I don't really have anything I'm passionate about. I don't have any big dreams or goals I want in the future besides the normal get a house, have a well paying job, etc. I have hobbies but I feel like I have them mainly to just fill my time. And I don't even know where to begin. How do I find what I'm passionate about? How do I feel more fulfilled in life instead of just feeling like I'm checking off boxes and surviving from day to day?

If I ever feel lost, I use a simple decision framework to help me get clear.

Before making any important choice, I ask myself:

• Who am I in this situation?
• What exactly do I want?
• Why does this matter?
• When do I want this?

This approach effectively cuts through confusion and helps me move forward into confidence. The key is to not overthink it - just answer them honestly and quickly.

I'd love to know if you use any specific question(s) or framework when making difficult decisions? Or are you feeling stuck in that "purpose paralysis" where committing to any direction feels impossible?

Birth vs Death (Life) Change vs Stasis (Meaning) Fear vs Security (Purpose) Doubt vs Confidence (Motivation) Vices vs Virtue (Identity) The interaction of change and stasis gives meaning and meaning gives purpose. Interaction grows relationships and stronger relationships results in love. A strong identity is able to love abundantly. Within the sphere of determinism, free will is the future unknown. It doesn't matter to the value of free will if you are determined, as long as the future is unknowable. It might be calculable to an approximate, but science can never claim to know the future exactly. If it does, it has claimed moral authority over all things, since the randomness of free will has been defined. The perception of randomness is key to understand free will vs determinism. Free will's future is unpredictable, where as scientific determinism 's future is predictable. My core claim is that you lose all desire for relatibility if relatibility is less predictable than science. And relatibility and science does not follow the same model.

Hi, I’m 26 years old and from Malaysia. I currently earn $818 a month as an associate. I graduated with a degree in 3D Animation and started my career as an animator, but I left the industry because the pay wasn’t sustainable.

Now, I’m feeling lost. I don’t know what I want to be, and I don’t feel a sense of purpose in my job. Building a career from my current role feels so far from reality. I don’t see myself becoming a leader in this industry, and I’m unsure how to discover my purpose.

Sometimes I regret not pursuing a professional course during my studies. I regret a lot of things. Is there a way for me to find out what my purpose is? What kind of career path should I consider? And how can I work toward it while increasing my income?

Let's say I meet purpose, meaning, and truth in the sanctuary of meditation or the middle of play? But because the world has been corrupted, my purpose is anachronistic or incompatible. My purpose may be built for a better economy or a different type of economy? In fact, we could almost say that the world in its current form is built to distract me from my purpose. And what if I just don't want said purpose?

Am I lying to myself - have I not actually met my purpose? Or is it something else?

I need for this app to be usable wherever I sit - living room couch, dining room table, library armchair, drop-in club table, anywhere where I could be spending my off-time.

And I hope to earn substantial amount of money doing it - minimum $10/hour for every hour I devote fully to these money-earning apps.

Apps where I don't feel tedious like I'm doing a chore without entertainment; apps I enjoy doing for extra earnings; apps that feel more purposeful than video games.

At 40, I find that I still feel empty after playing video games. I feel that I would feel more whole inside if I devote to a money-making app instead.

My full-time job is Doordash, 5 days a week, and my regular off-days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'd like to fill up my Tuesdays & Wednesdays with a second side-hustle that doesn't require me to leave a building all the time.

So what are some Android apps that will feel more purposeful and fulfilling, and that will earn me even a slightly-decent extra income? Thanks in advance.

Guys, I'm about to lose it. For 20 years, I only pursued a career, status, women and money. Sometimes more and sometimes less successful.

Then came the big switch and I questioned my life, what do I really want, what should remain of me and what will my children say about me.

But when I try to get to the bottom of it all, try to fathom my deepest needs, I almost go crazy every time! It's like I'm going round and round in circles? I just can't find the point where I can orient myself. To which I can align my life. Has anyone else experienced this? Or has someone already overcome it? Or is this whole purpose just good marketing?

Hello,

I have been going through it recently. Me and my best friend parted ways for good at the end of May, and I had to break up with my significant other at the end of June.

I had wanted to take this summer and travel, as well as send out letters to literary agents (as I wrote a book over the last 8 years, and have been trying traditional publishing). I worked so hard the whole academic year, full time work, full time school, but now I have no real structure for my days.

It feels as though I'm trying to cram anything into the hole inside myself. Like the floor is slowly shifting out from under me, that there is an aimlessness in the air that I cannot escape.

I have all this free time. I could learn a new song on guitar, get back into reading or even write for a new novel I'll want to publish, there are so many things I can do. Yet, because I feel this way, this hole inside myself, I have been wasting away in front of Youtube, in front of porn. Its not every day I am unproductive, but it is enough for me to feel poorly on myself.

Any advice on how to find the beam of my purpose again?

Hey everyone, I’ve been reading a lot about the concept of Ikigai — the Japanese idea of finding purpose at the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Sounds great in theory… but I’m wondering how it plays out in real life.

We all look into the universe and see patterns -- patterns people taught us, patterns we picked up ourselves, patterns so ancient and instilled we don't even question them. If the stuff of the universe is "meaning", and our minds are tools to construct and shape that meaning, then we as humans have a lot more power than we think.

Have you ever felt that you keep trying things thinking that it is your purpose in life only to find that you fail or by some misfortune your pathway takes a complete 180 and you start heading in an opposite direction?

Even when you pick yourself up after failing and then go charging back into the fray with the same objective and purpose you fail again.... and again.... and again...

At some point I feel you have to ask yourself the question - "Is the universe trying to tell me somthing?"

and

"Am I listening?"

I never like thinking of myself as a quitter but there are times when you need to see the forest rather than the individual trees. You know the saying about the definition of insanity...

Now I don't look at past failures as failures but rather stepping stones which helped me cross that river of uncertainty to get to my purpose.

So really the whole journey is the purpose and as long as we stay present in the moment with gratitude life actually becomes an adventure rather than a destination.

Let go and let be and allow the Universe to guide you. The doors are there for you to walk through, if you allow your mind time to be still.

Be present, be grateful and your purpose will show itself.

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on how people find direction in life, whether through faith, personal goals, pain, or growth.

If you feel like you’ve found a sense of purpose, I’d love to know:
What helped you get there most?

No agenda here, just hoping to learn from others and maybe gain a little perspective.

Are humans supposed to be ecologists?

Is our purpose, (should you believe) having named all of the animals, not to take care of the environment? Should we not all be farmers and hunters and fishermen? Controlling populations of animals for the benefit and balance of other species? Reducing invasive varieties for the health of the species natural to that area? Is this not what we’re here for?

The successful have provided what humans need in excess.

Beginning with the most successful farmers and ending with those that remove the pain of regular life, all wealthy people did a service to humans. From the early farmers who moved away from nomadic life -people who understood crop rotations and the food chain- we as humans have been indebted to those who provide a better way of life either through food production or those who offer conveniences.

Had we all have been ecologists, assuming we could purchase land, could we not produce an army’s serving of vegetables, such as you might need for generations of your family?

Interested to see responses or to know if this has been echoed in other pages.

Please only realistic advice. Something deep and also that lead you to find yourself and your purpose?

In life, one should strive to live a life which is meaningful and purposeful. This is far better than trying to live a pleasurable life. Pleasure is short lived. Meaning and purpose keeps you going when times are rough. What do you guys think?

I’ve asked a number of my male friends and I’ve discovered something. Men (myself and those I know, not trying to assume something for every man on the planet) want to die for something worth dying for, to sacrifice our lives for something beyond ourselves, a legacy that will live on in the hearts and words of those we try to save. Is this just me and those I know? (Please leave your thoughts in the comments)

I had a painful week—psychologically painful.

I used to believe the most beneficial way to learn business was to get inside a company and see everything from within. The old ‘learn and get paid’ kinda deal.

So I started an internship as a closer.

It all seemed cool while I first spoke to the boss.

But in the moment I accepted, a deep feeling of anxiety started devouring me from inside.

I gave myself a few days to feel it out, but the truth was impossible to ignore—even doing the simplest tasks from the internship felt unbearable.

So I sent a respectful message to the boss, wishing him the best but letting him know my heart was pulling me in a different direction.

He didn’t even respond.

His silence felt like confirmation that I did the right thing. And the anxiety disappeared almost instantly.

Next day (like jobs are raining from the sky) I got another jon offer.

I didn’t understand the role.

The manager said is was about picking up calls and making sales. But it didn’t seem like a commission-based job, so what the heck was I even selling?

Still, the anxiety returned, and it's remained here, sitting by my side.

My take is:

I believe anxiety is a message from my true self—and also my future self—commanding me to stay away from anything that pulls me off my path. Especially anything that demands I build someone else’s dream at the cost of my own.

Jesus… Seems like the hard way is always the only way.

A part of me wants to believe that anxiety is just residual stress from my brief internship - so I can justify taking the new job, make some money, and buy time before jumping fully into the unknown.

But there’s something I got to say:

I might end up beggin’ in the street but I’m afraid I’m ready to walk away from any opportunities that are not in alignment with my heart’s will.

Most people don’t give a damn about their jobs.

They can survive like that.

But I’m not like them. And I’m glad I’m not—because there’s one thing that separates us:

I have a calling.

Something that fills me with enough energy to climb mount Everest, on a winter morning, with no skills, even without a map.

I’m here to help people who feel lost find their edge.

I know the only way to become dangerously consistent is doing what you love.

I know how to plant the seeds and water them with care until they start to flourish.

I told myself to stop writing. To rest. To take some days off.

But I just can’t! I love what I do—even if some days are rough and I’m not where I want to be.

But here’s the thing:

I am where I’m meant to be.

To fail.

To learn.

To dig roots that will one day hold a beautiful forest.

I’m starting to see my work not just as personal progress, but as part of a larger ecosystem.

What impact will this bring to others?
What new possibilities will it open?

And on cold mornings—when my heart feels the potential betrayal of working for other people dreams—I bow to my heart:

I received the calling.

I’m committed to it, no matter what.

I believe there’s a reason why we come into this world.

And I believe I found mine.