“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

Finding your purpose—or your “why”—isn’t something you do once and forget. It evolves. What drives you at 20 may not fuel you at 40, and what inspires you in your 60s may feel completely different at 80. That’s the beauty of life: as you grow, so does your sense of meaning.

Too often, people assume that purpose is fixed, like a career path or job title. But purpose is more like a compass—it doesn’t always tell you where you’ll end up, but it points you toward a direction worth exploring. And it’s never too early or too late to ask yourself: What matters most to me now?

Let’s explore how you can rediscover your “why” in every chapter—and why doing so may be one of the most powerful things you can do to lead a fulfilling, 100-year life.

Your 20s: Exploration and Identity

In your 20s, your “why” is often about discovery. You’re building identity, trying new things, and asking big questions. It’s a time to experiment—not necessarily to lock in one path.

Try This: Make a “curiosity list.” Write down anything that sparks your interest, no matter how random. Try one new activity each month from the list and journal how it made you feel.

Helpful tools:

• PathwayU – Helps align your interests with meaningful career paths
  
• FutureMe – Write letters to your future self and reflect on growth

Your 30s: Building and Balancing

Your 30s are often about growth—career, family, financial responsibility—but that doesn’t mean purpose has to take a backseat. This decade is a great time to align ambition with values.

Ask Yourself: What do I want my daily life to say about my deeper values? What am I building—and is it in alignment with who I want to become?

Try This: Conduct a “life audit.” Look at how you spend your time and money. Are they aligned with your values? If not, start small—redirect 5% of your time and energy toward something that matters more.

Useful app:Notion to organize your goals, reflections, and plans.

Your 40s & 50s: Meaning and Mastery

By midlife, many people find themselves successful but… restless. Maybe the kids are growing up. Maybe your career feels less exciting. Or maybe you’re craving something deeper. This is when people start asking, “Is this all there is?”

This Is the Moment to Pivot: Don’t wait for a crisis to reevaluate. Start by revisiting your younger dreams. What did you once love but let go of? What are you curious about now?

A study byStanford’s Center on Longevity notes that purpose, not just productivity, is the key to thriving in the second half of life. Those who engage in purpose-driven activities—volunteering, mentoring, advocacy—report higher levels of well-being and health.

Try This: Join a cause or community that aligns with your values. UseVolunteerMatch orCatchafire to start giving back with your skills.

Your 60s and Beyond: Legacy and Impact

Later decades can be your most meaningful—not in spite of age, but because of it. You’ve lived, loved, lost, and learned. Now is the time to pass on your wisdom, nurture relationships, and focus on what really matters.

Your “Why” Now Might Be About Legacy. That could mean mentoring someone, writing your life story, starting a project that lives beyond you, or simply becoming more present in the lives of people you love.

Helpful tools:

• Storyworth for writing and sharing your life stories
  
• Encore.org for finding purpose-driven work and connection in later life

Action Steps for Every Decade

1. Schedule reflection time at least twice a year to ask, “What matters most now?”
   
2. Write a personal mission statement—and update it every decade.
   
3. Talk to people in different life stages about how they’re discovering purpose. We learn by example.
   
4. Mentor or be mentored. Sharing your journey can deepen your clarity—and help others find theirs.

A Life of Purpose Is a Life by Design

Your purpose doesn’t have to be grand or public. It might be showing up fully for your family, creating art, supporting your community, or simply living with intention. What matters is that it feels right for you, right now.

So—what’s your “why” in this chapter? And how might it change in the next?

Join the conversation and share your reflections in theforum.