The Search for Purpose: Why "Little" Might Matter More Than "Big"

Many people believe purpose has to be grand - a world-changing career, a monumental achievement, something that justifies a life. According to Dr. Jordan Grumet, a palliative care physician who has spent years learning from dying patients, this belief is exactly what makes purpose feel so out of reach. Research shows that having a strong sense of purpose is linked to lower mortality, better physical activity, improved sleep, and greater happiness - yet up to 91 percent of people report experiencing "purpose anxiety" at some point in their lives. Grumet's insight is that purpose isn't one thing: there's "big" purpose (audacious, outcome-driven, and often outside our control) and "little" purpose (the small, everyday moments that make us feel alive). Chasing only the big version sets people up for burnout and a sense of failure, while little purpose is abundant, accessible, and far more sustainable.

The article also explores why so many people - especially younger generations - report feeling adrift, empty, or disconnected despite having stable lives. Sociologist Joseph E. Davis traces this back to a loss of the social structures that once gave people a sense of identity and direction: stable roles, shared norms, and communities that anchored a sense of self. Without those external supports, more people are left to construct meaning entirely on their own, often resulting in chronic feelings of emptiness rather than clarity. Connection to others, the article notes, plays a powerful role in counteracting this - research from psychologist Nick Epley shows that people consistently underestimate how positively others respond when we reach out, and that frequent small moments of connection matter more than occasional grand gestures.

Finally, the article offers a simple but powerful exercise for finding direction: ask yourself what you would regret never having tried. This "memento mori" approach reframes purpose not as a destination, but as a response to what matters most when time feels limited. The common thread through every section is this: purpose doesn't require permission, perfection, or a five-year plan. It can be found in the small moments that light you up, in honest connection with others, and in being willing to try the things you'd otherwise regret leaving undone.
full article: The Paradox of Purpose by Jordan Grumet, M.D.

Feeling anxious or stuck in your search for purpose and meaning? Our therapists at LTG can help you explore what truly matters to you - without the pressure of finding one grand answer. Schedule your consultation today and start finding clarity in the everyday.