Discovering life purpose through creativity
Do you know what your life purpose is? You’re lucky if you answered "yes" to this question. Unfortunately, the majority of people struggle with the problem of self-definition. The good news is that people have been exploring this issue throughout all of human history, and there are some studies that can really help you find yourself. The answer to the eternal riddle is creativity. Let’s clarify how to create to discover your life purpose!
In 1943, Maslow introduced the theory of human needs, according to which the peak of our needs is self-actualization. This work still inspires modern theorists of meaning-making. Many studies, for example, Frankl’s and Lifton’s research, revealed the link between creativity and finding a person’s purpose. Martela and Steger came up with a concept of three key aspects of life’s meaning: coherence (making sense of your past), significance (seeing value, joy, and connection in your present life), and purpose (plans and goals for the future). Kaufman highlighted that creativity is a way to fulfill all three aspects. Here are three properties of creativity that prove that the meaning of life can be and should be sought with the help of art.
The first one is the most obvious — practical. Life purpose is always associated with some kind of business or activity. So by trying and learning new things, you can recognize your strengths and talents and eventually find your vocation.
The second point is the therapeutic property of creativity. When we do such activities, we appreciate the process more than the outcome. That’s why creative hobbies bring so much joy in your life. Csikszentmihalyi’s famous concept of flow implies the feeling of immersion in a creative process to help people release stress, improve their mood, and enhance the significance of their lives.
The third way creativity can help you find your purpose is through self-discovery. For example, the well-known "writing cure" proposed by Pennebaker and Beall helps people find more meaning in their work by writing narrative texts about personal topics. This exercise makes people healthier both physically and mentally. Moreover, there are many cases when art classes helped people realize their true desires and gave them the strength to achieve them. Lauren Rader’s book "Studio Stories, Illuminationg Our Lives Through Art" tells about the inspiring journey of her students, who discovered themselves creating in her studio and changed their lives.
Well, what do we have? Creativity helps you to diversify your skills, feel better mentally and physically, sort your life out, and, as a result, find your purpose. So if you struggle with a lack of meaning in your life, find a creative hobby that suits you best and discover yourself and your life from a new angle. We assure you: it’s never too late to create and find your life purpose!
Article by Viktoria Kogan,
Unarthodox Element Blog Contributor