Struggling with purpose anxiety? The pressure to find a singular, world-changing calling is exhausting, but what if you didn’t need one? Inspired by Forrest Gump and insights from Elizabeth Gilbert, this op-ed piece explores how rigid expectations around purpose can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Instead, embracing curiosity, presence and the balance between hobbies, jobs and careers might just be the key to a fulfilling life.

“Every fall into love involves the triumph of hope over self-knowledge.” Alain de Botton, The Course of Love, 2016

All things are supple when alive and are only hard when dead. So what if we allowed ourselves to be soft and vulnerable for a change?