Discovering your calling isn’t always a straightforward journey.
It’s a personal journey that requires self-reflection, resilience, and embracing the unknown.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s often not about chasing a grand vision.
It’s about recognizing the subtle signs pointing you toward your true purpose.
These signs aren’t usually loud or flashy; they whisper, gently nudging you toward your intended path. What are the signs?
Well, in my experience, these seven signs are a great place to start.
1) Joy in the Journey
Finding your calling isn’t about reaching a destination or achieving a goal.
It’s about the journey and the joy and satisfaction you derive from it.
That joy isn’t fleeting or temporary.
It’s a deep-rooted enthusiasm that endures through the ups and downs, the triumphs and setbacks.
Success also isn’t dependent on external circumstances or validation; it comes from the intrinsic satisfaction of doing something that aligns with your core values and passions.
That doesn’t mean every moment will be filled with bliss.
There will be hard work, and there will be obstacles.
But underneath it all, there’s a sense of rightness, of being exactly where you’re meant to be.
2) The challenge feels worthwhile
When you find your calling, even challenges feel worthwhile.
They’re not just obstacles to overcome, they’re opportunities to grow and learn.
They push you out of your comfort zone, force you to adapt, and in the process, reveal new dimensions of your potential.
This is something I’ve personally experienced in my journey as a writer.
The path hasn’t always been easy, but each challenge came with a sense of purpose, a sense that I was contributing to something bigger than myself.
3) Embracing Authenticity
In my early 20s, I worked a regular office job. I’d wake up every morning, put on a tie, and go to work.
But it never felt right. When I put on that tie, I was pretending.
I was saying the “right” things, agreeing with the “right” views, and talking about things I didn’t care about just to please others.
I thought this was work. I thought this was what I needed to do to succeed.
But I was wrong.
When you find your calling, you become able to resist the pressure of being someone else. You become comfortable standing in your truth, even if it means going against the flow.
It’s not about rebelling for the sake of rebelling, it’s about honoring your unique perspective and talents.
This path isn’t always easy. It takes courage and resilience.
It involves facing fears, challenging limiting beliefs, and embracing vulnerability.
But through this process of self-discovery and authenticity, we can create a life that is truly in alignment with who we are at our core.
4) Natural Flow
One of the most personal signs that you’ve found your calling is when you notice a natural flow in what you do.
It’s like you’re navigating a river, carried by the currents rather than fighting them.
For me, this was a subtle but powerful sign that I had found my calling.
When I first became a writer, it wasn’t easy.
But despite the challenges, everything seemed to fall into place. I found myself immersed in my work for hours on end.
Does time seem to fly by? Do you find yourself so immersed in your work that hours seem like minutes?
If so, you’re probably tapping into your life’s calling.
5) Desire to Foster Positive Change
Another powerful sign that you’ve found your calling is when you nurture your desire to make a positive impact in the world.
This isn’t just about personal fulfillment or financial success, it’s about aligning your actions with your deepest values and using your skills and resources to foster positive change on a larger scale.
If you feel like your work is contributing to something “bigger than yourself,” this is a powerful sign that you’re aligned with your life’s calling.
6) Comfort in Uncertainty
In a world that often values predictability and control, this can seem counterproductive.
Finding your calling doesn’t mean you have all the answers or that your path is clear ahead of you. It often means the opposite.
This means being comfortable with not knowing, being open to exploring, and being willing to adapt and evolve.
As we forge our path, we must learn to deal with the uncertainty that comes our way.
Instead of seeing it as an obstacle, we can see it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Every challenge is an invitation to tap into our creative potential and develop innovative solutions.
Do you find yourself comfortable amid uncertainty, willing to take risks, and excited to explore uncharted territory?
Good for you.
This willingness to embrace the unknown is integral to personal freedom and resilience, which are essential components of pursuing a life of purpose and authenticity.
7) Align with Your Deepest Values
Last but not least, when what you do reflects who you are at your core, there is a sense of coherence and connection that permeates your life.
Essentially, your work doesn’t feel like something separate from you but rather an extension of who you are.
This alignment with your values isn’t always obvious or straightforward.
It takes self-awareness and introspection, a willingness to delve deeper into who you are and what matters most to you.
This includes questioning society’s expectations and norms and daring to define success on your terms.
This is the essence of finding your calling—not just meeting society’s expectations or chasing external markers of success, but aligning your actions with your deepest values.
Embracing the Journey to Your Life’s Calling
The journey to finding your life’s calling is not a one-size-fits-all process.
It is a personal and unique journey that requires introspection, courage, and embracing the unknown.
From finding joy in the journey to embracing authenticity and aligning with your deepest values, these are signs of a life lived with purpose and authenticity.
Finding a calling is not about reaching a destination or achieving a goal.
It’s about the journey itself—about aligning your actions with your core values, contributing to the world in a way that is meaningful to you, and creating a life that is true to who you are at your core.
