If life has any purpose it is, first and foremost, to be enjoyable and meaningful for the one living it.

The real challenge is looking beyond what we are told will give us joy, meaning, and purpose to seek our own unique version of a life worth living.

We are told we will find meaning and joy in work, in parenthood, in family, in romance, in wealth, in service to others, in success or acheivement.

But we need more caveats. “Not always. Not for everyone. It’s ok if any of the above isn’t your joy.”

We need to talk about how living well is a process and a skill. How it involves rest and play as much (likely more) as effort and work.

That joy and meaning and purpose are noticed, found, pulled out of the fabric of life as much as the are achieved or created.

Giving credit, these thoughts brought to you in response to @APurpleLifeBlog’s AMA responses on Instagram (they’re great go read them!) and “Adventures in Opting Out” by Cait Flanders.