3 Shifts to Align With Your Life Purpose in Challenging Times.
Feeling stuck or uncertain about your life purpose can feel isolating, especially during challenging times. I know because I've been there. If you don't know my story then I'll give you the cliff notes version. I felt stuck in a career that wasn't aligned with who I was or who I wanted to be. It was exhausting both mentally and physically. But the day-to-day routines were busy and made it easy to lose sight of what truly mattered. The world felt heavy. But even in my moments of doubt, I knew that alignment with my purpose was not only possible—it was necessary.
What if feeling lost isn’t a problem—but a signal that you’re ready to step into something greater?
If this resonates with you, keep reading and let's get you on the path to discovering the magnificent YOU. Did you know that understanding your unique blueprint through tools like Human Design and Gene Keys can provide clarity and direction. It’s a practical map for discovering who you are and why you’re here. It's like an MRI of the soul and it's so powerful! Discovering my Human Design put me on a journey of self-awareness that sped up my life towards my goals in light speed. Whether you’re navigating personal struggles or overwhelmed by life’s pace, you can reconnect with your deeper sense of purpose to bring focus and meaning back into your days.
If you crave that clarity or you're just curious, start by exploring your free Human Design chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com. It’s a step toward uncovering what makes you, you. Now, let's talk all things life purpose!
Understanding Life Purpose
Life purpose is a concept that sits at the core of our existence. It’s what gives us focus, fulfillment, and the sense that our lives matter. Yet, in trying times, connecting with that purpose can feel like chasing sunlight through a thick fog. Let’s break down what life purpose really means and why it can slip away when life gets hard.
What Is Life Purpose?
Life purpose isn’t some unreachable ideal. It’s the unique combination of what excites you, what you value most deeply, and how you can contribute to the world. Think of it as your internal compass, guiding you toward things that matter most to you. Your purpose is what you're here to give the world.
For some, life purpose might look like serving others through meaningful work. For others, it could center around creative expression, personal growth, or simply being a source of love and kindness in their community. Whatever shape it takes, your life purpose is deeply personal. It’s not something society hands you—it’s something you uncover within yourself. That's why Human Design is such a powerful part of the discovery process. It reveals truths about who you really are at your core, beyond the noise and conditioning of society.
When you’re connected to your purpose, life feels intentional and “right”. Decisions become easier and clearer, even during challenges, because you’re anchored by meaning and a sense of knowing that you're doing what is right. We call that alignment. It's a state of flow where you're at a higher vibrational frequency with the world around you. This is how we manifest things, by the way. Without it, however, it can feel like you're wandering aimlessly, no matter how busy or successful you might seem on the outside.
Photo by Leah Newhouse
Why We Lose Sight of Our Purpose in Difficult Times
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your purpose, especially during tough times, you’re not alone. Stress, trauma, and the weight of daily life can make it nearly impossible to focus on what truly matters. So why does this happen?
- Stress Overwhelms Everything
When life feels overwhelming, survival mode takes over. Instead of thinking about meaning, our brains prioritize immediate needs like paying bills or solving problems. This is natural for our bodies to go into survival mode but can leave us exhausted and sometimes lead to illness. - Societal Pressure Clouds Our Path
Society often pushes us toward goals that don’t align with our true selves. Whether it's expectations about career, family, or success, these pressures can drown out the quiet voice of your purpose. This is called conditioning. We've all been conditioned to think and believe certain ideas about ourselves and society. But the good news is that you can de-condition too. - Personal Setbacks Shake Belief in Ourselves
When we face failure, rejection, or loss, it’s easy to doubt ourselves. That doubt creates distance from our sense of purpose. Your dreams might feel out of reach, or worse, irrelevant compared to the chaos around you. These feelings are called shadow work and are super powerful in the transformation stage. Don't discount these feelings. Embrace them, study yourself through the lens of Human Design and Gene Keys to become a stronger version of yourself. Failures are a part of everyone's story. It's what you do with the failure that determines your success. - We Get Caught Up in Comparison
Social media and cultural trends often make us compare our journey to others. It’s easy to lose confidence in our unique purpose when someone else’s life looks more polished or successful. Again, this is where Human Design/Gene Keys come in. By understanding yourself better and knowing without doubt that you are a unique being that was put on this Earth at this exact time in history to do great work, you suddenly don't give 2 shits about what other people are doing. Your too focused on living your purpose and dream to care or compare.
The good news? Rediscovering your purpose is always possible. It starts with a willingness to pause, reflect, and reset. Tools like Human Design can help map out your natural strengths and purpose, offering insight into what makes you, you.
Whether you feel distracted, overwhelmed, or completely lost, know that your purpose hasn’t left. It’s still there, waiting for your attention. Want to explore it deeper? Start with a free Human Design chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com, and take the first step toward reconnecting with your life purpose.
The 3 Key Shifts to Reconnect With Your Life Purpose
In difficult times, it can feel like your life purpose is slipping through your fingers or maybe you're still trying to figure out what the heck your here for. Stress, setbacks, and the relentless pace of life make it hard to focus on the things that truly matter. But your purpose hasn’t disappeared—it’s just waiting for you to shift your perspective and tune back in. These three key shifts will guide you in rediscovering clarity and fulfillment.
Shift 1: Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
Think about a time when something didn’t go according to plan. While it likely felt frustrating or even devastating in the moment, chances are it taught you something valuable. Challenges have a sneaky way of forcing growth, and reframing them as opportunities can shift how you process them.
When I was stuck in my career and wanted to transition into something new, I applied for over 100 jobs over the course of 8 years. 8 years!! Talk about frustration and rejection. But the challenges really were an opportunity for growth. It was an opportunity to face my shadows and become stronger, more in line with what my purpose was. You can do that too.
When you're facing obstacles, ask yourself:
- What can I learn from this experience?
- How can this challenge make me stronger or more adaptable?
For instance, losing a job may feel like a failure, but it could be the nudge you need to pursue a new career path aligned with your passions, like me. Remember, life’s toughest moments often produce the most meaningful lessons.
Here’s a simple strategy: start a “wins from setbacks” list. Every time you face a setback, journal about the experience. This will capture your feelings in the moment and serve as record to look back upon. This simple but powerful exercise can push you past your fears, overcome that nasty shadow work (feeling like you're not good enough, smart enough, etc). Over time, this practice can reframe how you view your struggles and turning obstacles into opportunities become a new habit in your way of thinking.
Shift 2: Tune Into Your Inner Self Through Reflection
When was the last time you paused to truly listen to yourself? In the constant noise of emails, social media, and endless to-dos, it’s easy to lose touch with your inner voice—the one that knows what you truly value and desire.
Mindfulness tools like journaling and meditation can help create space to reconnect. Think of them as mental decluttering. Journaling, for instance, can be as simple as writing down your thoughts each morning or answering prompts like:
- What lights me up and excites me?
- What feels meaningful in my life right now?
Similarly, meditation allows you to silence external distractions and tune into the rhythm of your thoughts. Start with just five minutes a day. Focus on your breathing, or try guided meditations designed to explore purpose and self-reflection.
By setting aside time to reflect, you’ll begin to notice patterns and themes about what matters most to you. Over time, these small pockets of clarity can guide you toward a deeper understanding of your life purpose.
Shift 3: Use Your Human Design Blueprint
Everyone’s purpose is unique—you’re not going to find it by copying someone else’s journey. This is where Human Design comes in. It’s a system that combines astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and other modalities to create a personalized “blueprint” of how you’re wired to function in the world.
Your Human Design chart shows your natural strengths, decision-making process, and life path. When you understand this blueprint, you can align with what feels authentic and meaningful for you—not anyone else.
For example, if your design highlights creativity, you might feel most fulfilled pursuing artistic projects or innovative problem-solving. If leadership is emphasized, guiding others could be key to your purpose. The beauty of Human Design is its focus on you.
Curious to explore yours? Download your free chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com. As a certified life coach specializing in Human Design, I’ve seen firsthand how this tool brings clarity to people feeling stuck or uncertain. It’s like holding a map that not only tells you where you are but also why you’ve taken the paths you have.
By using your Human Design, you can stop guessing about your purpose and start living it with intention.
Discovering Life Purpose With Human Design
Finding purpose in life can feel elusive, especially during times of uncertainty. Questions like “Why am I here?” or “What’s next for me?” can linger, leaving you restless and searching for clarity. Human Design offers a unique way to explore these answers. It’s a personalized guide that uncovers your natural gifts, the challenges you’re meant to grow through, and the life path that feels most aligned with who you truly are.
Ready to learn how Human Design can help you reconnect with your life’s purpose?.
What Is Human Design?
Think of Human Design as a roadmap for understanding yourself. This system marries ancient wisdom and modern sciences, blending principles from astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and quantum physics. It provides a detailed chart based on your birth date, time, and location, which acts as your personal blueprint.
At its core, Human Design highlights how you’re naturally wired to make decisions, relate to others, and walk through life. By identifying your energy type—such as Generator, Projector, Manifestor, or Reflector—you get insight into where your strengths lie and how you’re best suited to approach challenges.
Your chart doesn’t just tell you “what” to do; it shows the “how” and “why” behind your tendencies and patterns and highlights your strengths and illuminates your shadow work. For someone feeling stuck or out of sync with life, this is a game-changer. It creates space for self-understanding and validation. You finally have permission to embrace who you already are instead of trying to force yourself into molds that don’t fit.
Curious where to start? Get your free Human Design chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com. After all, the better you know yourself, the clearer your life purpose becomes.
How Human Design Helps Identify Your Life Purpose
If life feels uncertain or out of focus, the insight from Human Design can be like finding the missing puzzle piece. It reveals not just your strengths but also the areas where growth is most transformative for your journey. Knowing this helps you align with a life that feels intentional and fulfilling.
Here’s how Human Design works to identify your purpose:
- It uncovers your natural strengths.
Your chart highlights where you shine. For example, if your design indicates that you’re a natural problem-solver, your purpose may involve helping others find solutions. If creativity is a central theme, it could be time to lean into artistic endeavors or innovative thinking. - It reveals your challenges and lessons.
Challenges in your chart aren’t a reason to feel defeated. Instead, they’re opportunities for growth that steer you closer to your purpose. For instance, a chart that shows a tendency to seek external validation might suggest your biggest lesson lies in learning self-love and inner trust—a skill that will ultimately guide your path. - It aligns your decision-making with your values.
Many people feel stuck because they’ve made choices based on societal pressures or external expectations. Human Design introduces you to your “inner authority,” the mechanism for making decisions that resonate with your authentic self.
Here’s an example: imagine someone following a career path that looks successful on paper but feels unfulfilling. Their chart might reveal that they thrive in collaborative environments and value connection over competition. With this clarity, they could pivot toward work that aligns with their core values, bringing a renewed sense of meaning to their life.
These revelations aren’t one-size-fits-all. The beauty of Human Design is its individualization—it’s about your specific blueprint. Want to unlock yours? Download your free chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com, and see what insights it holds for your life’s purpose.
Jenny Cotten: Certified Life Coach and Human Design Practitioner
If you’re ready to explore your purpose but unsure where to begin, I can help. As a certified life coach specializing in Human Design I’ve worked with countless individuals who felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure of their path, helping them find clarity and confidence through this incredible tool.
What makes my approach different? It’s about combining practical guidance with personalized insights. Human Design, unlike other things you've tried is actionable. Together, we’ll use your chart to uncover how you’re wired to thrive. Whether it’s understanding your decision-making style, identifying what lights you up, or navigating through challenges, I’ll guide you toward a deeper connection with your purpose.
Here’s what you can expect when working with me:
- Clarity – We’ll break down your Human Design chart into simple, understandable insights that you can immediately apply to your life.
- Alignment – You’ll leave with a stronger sense of what aligns with your values, passions, and strengths.
- Actionable Steps – This isn’t just about learning who you are; it’s about how to live with intention every day.
I believe the answers you’re seeking are already within you. Human Design simply gives you the tools to recognize them. When you’re ready to take the first step, start by downloading your chart at www.alignedbyhumandesign.com. We’ll use it as a foundation to uncover your life purpose and create a path that feels uniquely yours.
Practical Tips to Stay Aligned With Your Life Purpose
Staying aligned with your life purpose doesn’t happen by accident—it’s an intentional practice. When times get tough, it’s easy to feel disconnected or question your direction. However, there are practical steps you can take every day to strengthen your connection to what truly matters. Here are simple yet powerful strategies to help you stay on track.
Daily Practices to Strengthen Purpose Connection
Do you start your mornings with intention, or does your day run you? Building small, purposeful habits can create a foundation that helps you reconnect with your life purpose, one step at a time.
- Set Daily Intentions
Each morning, take just 30 seconds to pause and set an intention. Ask yourself, “What is one thing I can do today that aligns with my purpose?” Writing it down makes it even more powerful, giving you something to revisit when distractions arise. - Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude shifts your perspective from what’s wrong to what’s right. Start or end your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. This simple practice not only boosts your mood but also connects you to the bigger picture of your life purpose. - Meditation and Breathing Exercises
Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged for an hour. Even five minutes of focused breathing can help quiet your mind and reconnect you with your inner self. Try breathing in for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for four—it’s grounding and calming. - EFT Tapping
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, is another great tool. It involves tapping on specific points of your body while repeating affirmations. This practice helps release stress and clears mental blocks that may disconnect you from your purpose. Quantum EFT is an area I explore with clients to work on shadow areas and strengthen their beliefs in their design.
These practices act as a bridge to your inner compass, reminding you of the “why” behind your everyday actions and decisions.
Building a Support Network
Isolation can amplify feelings of being lost or disconnected. Surrounding yourself with people who encourage and support your growth can be like adding guardrails to your journey. They help you stay aligned when the path is unclear.
Start by seeking like-minded individuals who share similar values and goals. This doesn’t mean everyone around you needs to have the same purpose, but people who uplift and inspire you can create an atmosphere of accountability and positivity.
Wondering where to find a community? The Mind Body Design Lab Facebook group is a space for individuals exploring their life purpose and personal growth. It’s a place to connect with others who are working through similar challenges, share insights, and collaborate on ideas.
Building a support network isn’t just about finding emotional support; it’s also about creating a ripple effect. The right people help you see new perspectives and hold space for your journey without judgment.
Revisiting Your Human Design Chart Regularly
Your Human Design chart isn’t a one-and-done tool—it’s a living guide for life. Revisiting it regularly allows you to track your alignment and stay purposeful when life throws curveballs.
Think of your Human Design chart as a manual for understanding how you’re naturally built to thrive. If you’re not looking at it often, you might miss key insights that can help you course-correct when you feel off-track. It requires study because each time you read it you're learning more about yourself and different things will “speak” to you. This is what happens to me. I understand it one way then go back and study it at a different time and something new will be revealed to me. I love this aspect of Human Design as it keeps me growing and learning about myself. Here's some tips to help you on your journey:
- Schedule “Check-In” Days
Choose one day a week or month to reflect on your chart. Ask yourself questions like: “Am I living in alignment with what this shows about my energy type and strengths?” - Apply the Lessons
Use your chart to pinpoint areas of life where you might not be living authentically. Whether it’s your career, relationships, or decisions, seeing clear patterns can provide clarity and open up choices that resonate with your purpose. Find resources that can help you uncover where you're feeling stuck. This blog, for example, or the Aligned Living membership and Aligned Purpose Accelerator mentoring program can help propel you forward by deeping your knowledge and understanding - Track Progress
Over time, you’ll notice how observing and applying your chart helps create a sense of flow in your life. Decisions will feel more natural, relationships more authentic, and challenges less overwhelming.
When you treat your chart as a dynamic tool, it becomes a trusted guide. It’s there to steer you, especially in those moments when life feels uncertain, reinforcing that your purpose is always within reach.
Your Purpose is Waiting to Be Discovered
Shifting your mindset, reconnecting with your inner self, and exploring your unique Human Design can guide you back to your life purpose, even in the toughest moments. These steps aren't just about surviving challenges—they're about thriving through them with clarity and intention.
Your purpose hasn’t disappeared; it’s waiting to be rediscovered. Start small—embrace reflection, take meaningful action, and use tools like Human Design to uncover the blueprint of who you are and why you’re here.
