How to Realistically Find Purpose and Fulfillment When Your Work Situation Sucks
The past few years have left many of us grappling with uncertainty and disconnection. Layoffs, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of living have made it increasingly difficult to feel secure, let alone fulfilled. Add to that the stress of navigating complex family dynamics, unhealed trauma, and the lack of boundaries in our personal and professional lives, and it’s no wonder so many are silently struggling with feeling stuck and hopeless.
As a health and wellness coach focused on burnout recovery and stress management, I’ve worked with individuals facing these same challenges. While I won’t sugarcoat the harsh realities of the current landscape, I can share a pathway toward reclaiming a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This isn’t about plastering on a positive attitude or trying to hustle your way out of despair—it’s about reconnecting with what truly matters to you in a way that anchors and sustains you, even in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
Understanding Existential Health
Existential health goes beyond the physical, emotional, and even psychological aspects of well-being. It’s about the deep sense of purpose, meaning, and connection that creates a fulfilling life. When this foundation cracks—whether due to a soulless job, strained relationships, or unresolved personal struggles—it can leave us feeling empty and directionless. Rebuilding it starts with small, intentional steps toward clarity and alignment with your values.
Why Purpose Matters More Than Ever
In times of external instability, internal stability becomes vital. Purpose acts as a compass, helping you navigate challenges with a sense of direction, even when the terrain is rocky. It doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job or making sweeping life changes—sometimes, it’s about redefining what purpose looks like in your current situation.
For example:
Work feels meaningless? Purpose can shift to building financial stability to support a longer-term goal.
Family stress feels overwhelming? Purpose might lie in creating a legacy of healthier communication and boundaries for your loved ones.
Burned out and uninspired? Purpose may simply mean reclaiming your energy so you can rediscover what truly lights you up.
How to Strengthen Existential Health in Hard Times
1. Identify Your Values
When life feels chaotic, anchoring yourself to your core values provides stability. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you. These might include family, creativity, independence, or health. Compare these to how you’re currently living your life. If there’s a mismatch, consider one small change to bring your actions closer to your values.
2. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Energy
Burnout thrives in environments where boundaries are weak or nonexistent. Protecting your time and energy is essential for healing and reconnecting with yourself. Whether it’s saying “no” to additional work hours without compensation or carving out 10 minutes daily for quiet reflection, boundaries create space for growth and recovery.
3. Reclaim Control Where You Can
Feeling stuck often stems from a perceived lack of control. While you may not be able to change the job market or your company’s pay policies, you can control other aspects of your life:
Routines: Consistent morning or evening rituals create a sense of order.
Relationships: Focus on building and nurturing connections that uplift you.
Health: Small improvements in sleep, movement, and nutrition can significantly impact mental resilience.
4. Seek Connection and Support
Isolation intensifies feelings of hopelessness. Finding community—whether through a local group, an online forum, or a trusted friend—reminds you that you’re not alone. It’s also okay to seek professional help to process deeper issues like trauma or burnout.
5. Focus on the Present While Planning for the Future
One of the most grounding practices is to focus on the moment while still working toward what’s next. Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do today to feel a little more aligned with the life I want? Over time, these small actions compound into meaningful progress.
The Power of Hopeful Realism
It’s tempting to cling to toxic positivity or to give in to despair during tough times. But the truth lies in the middle—a place I call hopeful realism. It’s the belief that while life may not immediately improve, there is always room for small, meaningful changes.
Hopeful realism is waking up knowing your job isn’t perfect but finding satisfaction in completing a project well.
It’s acknowledging the difficulty of family dynamics while celebrating a moment of genuine connection.
It’s knowing the economy may not improve soon but taking steps to prepare yourself for better opportunities down the road.
Moving Forward, Even When It Feels Hard
Existential health is a long game. It’s not about fixing everything overnight but about building a foundation that sustains you through life’s ups and downs. In the coming days, I challenge you to take one small step toward reconnecting with your purpose. Maybe it’s journaling about your values, reaching out to someone you trust, or simply setting a boundary that gives you room to breathe.
You are not powerless in the face of these challenges. By taking intentional steps to nurture your existential health, you can create a life that feels meaningful, even in difficult times.
If you’d like support navigating this journey, I’m here to help. Together, we can create a plan to move from survival mode to a life where you feel deeply aligned and fulfilled. Let’s start reclaiming your health—inside and out.
Article References
The sources cited in the article:
Cambridge University Press. "Wellbeing, Recovery, and Mental Health." Cambridge - Meaning in Life and Wellbeing
Psychology Today. “The Power of Purpose: Find Meaning to Enjoy More Wellbeing.” Psychology Today - The Power of Purpose
American Psychiatric Association (APA). "Purpose in Life Can Lead to Less Stress, Better Well-Being." APA - Purpose in Life
Psychology Today. "How Creating a Sense of Purpose Can Impact Your Mental Health.” Psychology Today - Purpose
National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Suffering a Healthy Life - On the Existential Dimension of Health.” NIH - Existential Health
