How to Find Your Purpose as a Woman and Truly Thrive

Wondering how to find your purpose as a woman? Neha O’Rourke, career change coach and founder of Somewhere In Between Coaching, has been there. She left her corporate career to pursue work that aligned with her values and now helps other women do the same.

In this post, we’ll explore how to uncover your purpose, the mindset shifts that make the journey easier, and the one question to ask yourself today to begin the process.

How to Find Your Purpose as a Woman

A person wearing a red beanie and dark coat stands on a long, suspended bridge stretching into the distance. The bridge is surrounded by a dense forest with misty autumn foliage. The image conveys a sense of adventure and exploration.

Let’s dig into understanding why finding purpose can be challenging, and what steps you can begin taking toward discovering your own:

Why do I struggle to find my purpose?

Many women feel stuck because they’re caught between who they think they should be and who they truly are.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to meet external expectations—whether from society, family, or even our younger selves. But purpose isn’t found by looking outward. It’s uncovered by tuning into what matters most to you.

Most of us are “somewhere in between” when it comes to defining our identity. We may try to fit ourselves into different boxes, but that often means ignoring important aspects of who we are.

The truth is, the journey of self-discovery is ongoing. If you feel uncertain, you’re not lost – you’re evolving. The key is to embrace the process rather than resist it.

Instead of labeling yourself as confused, recognize that this is a time of growth. Clarity comes when you allow yourself to explore, reflect, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be.

Shifting away from “should”

Many women struggle with purpose because they’re living in the mindset of “should.”

They think they should have their career figured out, they should be more successful, or they should follow a path others approve of. But purpose isn’t about “should.” It’s about want and desire.

Ask yourself: What matters to me at the end of the day? Are the choices you’re making aligned with that? If not, it may be time to shift away from external expectations and toward what genuinely fulfills you.

To remove “should” from your mindset, remember that your thoughts, feelings, and actions are the only things within your control.

Ask yourself: Do I want to continue choosing thoughts, feelings, and actions based on external expectations that don’t serve me? Or do I want to choose the ones that support, heal and empower me?

When you shift toward choices that align with your authentic self, you naturally get closer to your purpose.

A wooden sign with bold red and black text reads: "LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE." The rustic background and slightly worn appearance give it a handmade, inspirational feel.

Aligning your passion, skills and values

Purpose isn’t just about doing what you love. It’s about finding the intersection of what you’re good at, what you enjoy and what aligns with your core values.

Your values are deeply personal and may take some digging to uncover. Consider journaling or reflecting on moments when you felt most fulfilled.

What were you doing? What values were you honoring in those moments? Use those insights to guide you.

Letting go to move forward

Sometimes, finding your purpose means letting go of a path that no longer serves you. This can feel uncomfortable, but it’s often necessary to move toward your truth.

If something feels misaligned, trust that releasing it creates space for something better. Remember, it’s okay to change your mind in pursuit of your evolving truth.

Celebrate the journey

Many of us are so focused on the next goal that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve come. Pause and reflect on your journey. What have you learned so far? How have you grown?

Gratitude and affirmations can help shift your mindset, reminding you that you are already abundant. You don’t need to have all the answers to feel purposeful – you are enough right now.

One question to ask yourself today

A silhouette of a person raising their fist in the air against a golden-orange sky, likely at sunrise or sunset. The strong pose suggests empowerment, determination, or celebration.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself this: If tomorrow were my last day, what would I want to say about my life?

Are the choices you’re making today supporting that vision?

This question brings you back to what you can control – your mindset and choices. When you start making decisions based on what aligns with your own personal vision and values, rather than external validation, you’ll naturally move closer to your purpose.

Finding your purpose as a woman isn’t about achieving a perfect end goal. It’s about embracing the journey, trusting yourself and living in alignment with what truly matters to you. The more you lean into that, the clearer your path will become.

Listen to the episode: How to find your purpose as a woman

Neha is a career change coach who is passionate about helping people uncover their purpose the same way she uncovered hers when she quit her corporate career to start Somewhere in Between coaching.

In this conversation we talk about:

how to uncover purpose
what mindset you need to be in and how to get there
the worst advice out there about uncovering your purpose
what one question to ask yourself to begin uncovering your purpose today