“Be On Purpose” or “Be Intentional”: A Great Mental Health Perspective


Living "on purpose" or "being intentional" is more than just a self-help catchphrase; it's a powerful mindset that can transform mental health and overall well-being. The concept involves making deliberate choices, focusing on what truly matters, and aligning actions with core values. In a world where distractions and mindless habits can lead to anxiety, stress, and disconnection from oneself, intentionality offers a path toward mental clarity, peace, and authenticity. This blog will explore why adopting a mindset of intentionality is beneficial for mental health and how it pairs with mindfulness and authenticity, using metaphors and analogies to bring the concepts to life.

What Does It Mean to "Be On Purpose"?

Imagine your mind as a GPS system, navigating the highways of life. When you're living on purpose, you're not just letting the car drive on autopilot. Instead, you're actively setting the destination, choosing the scenic route, and enjoying the journey rather than just going wherever the road takes you. Being intentional means you are the driver of your mental and emotional states, consciously directing them toward the goals that matter most.

In contrast, those who never learn to live intentionally may feel as though they are passengers in their own lives. Without direction, they may drift through each day reacting to circumstances rather than guiding their path. This lack of control can lead to feelings of powerlessness, increased anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from their personal values and goals (Fava & Tomba, 2009). Like a ship without a compass, people who do not live intentionally may find themselves at the mercy of life’s unpredictable currents, struggling to find meaning and purpose.

Intentionality and Mindfulness: The Power Duo

Being intentional naturally pairs with mindfulness. If intentionality is the GPS system, mindfulness is your awareness of the journey—the bumps on the road, the scenery, and the speed you're going. Mindfulness invites you to stay present, to notice your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.

Consider mindfulness as the act of fully tasting every bite of food at dinner rather than just mindlessly eating while scrolling through your phone. When we practice mindfulness, we’re engaging with the present moment, which prevents our minds from spiraling into anxiety or stress about the future or dwelling on the past. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques have shown profound benefits in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression (Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Chiesa & Serretti, 2009).

For those who fail to incorporate intentionality and mindfulness, life can become an exhausting cycle of reactivity. These individuals may find themselves overwhelmed by external stressors, without the emotional tools to navigate through them. Without mindfulness, it's like speeding down the highway without noticing the fuel gauge running empty or the warning signs of a storm ahead. This leads to burnout, heightened emotional reactions, and difficulty finding calm amidst life’s challenges (Wood et al., 2008).

The Mental Health Benefits of Living Intentionally

When we live with purpose, we create space for mental clarity and emotional balance. Much like decluttering a room, intentionality helps clear away mental "noise"—those automatic, unhelpful thoughts that contribute to stress or unhappiness. Instead of letting our minds clutter with worry or negative thinking patterns, intentionality helps us prioritize thoughts and actions that support our well-being (Fava & Tomba, 2009).

Take the analogy of a garden. If left untended, weeds will overtake the plants, suffocating their growth. But if you tend to the garden regularly, pulling weeds and nurturing the flowers, the garden thrives. Similarly, when we live with intentionality, we "weed out" behaviors, thoughts, and habits that hinder our mental health, and instead, nurture the practices that support emotional growth, such as gratitude, compassion, and self-care (Kabat-Zinn, 1990).

In contrast, individuals who do not learn to live intentionally often allow the "weeds" of negative habits and thoughts to grow unchecked. These weeds—self-doubt, anxiety, procrastination—take over and prevent positive growth. Without the guidance of intentionality, it's easy for unhealthy thought patterns to dominate, making it harder to develop resilience or a sense of accomplishment. Over time, these unproductive habits can significantly contribute to mental health issues like depression, chronic stress, or emotional exhaustion (Fava & Tomba, 2009).

Authenticity: The Core of Intentional Living

Another essential piece of living intentionally is authenticity. To be authentic is to live true to your values, emotions, and beliefs, rather than conforming to societal pressures or external expectations. Authenticity acts like the fuel that powers your journey toward intentional living.

Let’s use the metaphor of wearing a mask at a masquerade ball. Wearing the mask may make you blend in, but after a while, it becomes suffocating and disconnects you from your true self. In the same way, pretending to be someone you’re not creates emotional distress and anxiety. Authenticity, on the other hand, allows you to remove the mask and breathe freely, helping you align your life choices with who you genuinely are. Studies show that when individuals act in ways consistent with their true selves, they experience lower levels of stress and a greater sense of fulfillment (Wood et al., 2008).

For those who never learn to be intentional or authentic, the consequences are more subtle but equally impactful. Without authenticity, people often adopt the behaviors, values, or attitudes of others, leading to a life that feels unfulfilling or false. This creates a disconnect between who they are and how they live, increasing the risk of chronic stress, emotional turmoil, and even identity crises. Over time, living without intentionality and authenticity can leave individuals feeling lost, emotionally drained, and perpetually dissatisfied (Doidge, 2007).

Intentionality as a Mental Health Shield

Being intentional can act as a protective shield for your mental health, much like a well-crafted suit of armor guards against attacks. Life will throw challenges, stressors, and uncertainties your way. But when you're intentional, you are better prepared to respond rather than react. You set boundaries, focus on what you can control, and let go of what you cannot.

For example, when someone intentionally chooses to start their day with a few moments of gratitude, they are actively choosing to prime their brain for positive thinking, much like tuning a radio to the right station. The brain's neuroplasticity allows it to form new neural pathways, meaning the more you practice intentional behaviors, the easier it becomes to think and act in ways that support mental well-being (Doidge, 2007).

Those who do not learn to live intentionally may find that life’s challenges often feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Without clear priorities or purposeful action, they might feel constantly “under attack” by stress, anxiety, or depression. It’s as if they are walking into life’s battles without any armor, leaving themselves vulnerable to emotional burnout and distress. By failing to establish clear boundaries or mental safeguards, they become easy prey for negative emotions and destructive patterns of thinking (Wood et al., 2008).

Conclusion: Living with Purpose as a Mental Health Strategy

To live "on purpose" is to take control of your life’s steering wheel, choosing your destination and the path you take. Pairing intentionality with mindfulness and authenticity helps foster better mental health by reducing stress, increasing self-awareness, and promoting emotional balance. Just as a skilled gardener tends to their plants or a driver chooses their route, being intentional allows you to cultivate a life that aligns with your values and enhances your mental well-being.

For those who never learn to live with intentionality, the emotional and mental consequences can be severe. A lack of purpose leads to emotional chaos, heightened stress, and the overwhelming sense that life is just "happening" without control. Living on purpose, however, grants you the ability to respond to life's challenges with clarity, resilience, and a deeper connection to yourself.

References

  1. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York: Delacorte Press.
  2. Chiesa, A., & Serretti, A. (2009). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for stress management in healthy people: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(5), 593-600.
  3. Fava, G. A., & Tomba, E. (2009). Increasing psychological well-being and resilience by psychotherapeutic methods. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1903-1934.
  4. Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Baliousis, M., & Joseph, S. (2008). The authentic personality: A theoretical and empirical conceptualization and the development of the authenticity scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 385-399.
  5. Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. New York: Viking.

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