Hello again, everyone. James here, and welcome back to “What to do during times of anxiety.” If you caught our last episode, you’ll remember we talked about practical tools for calming anxious minds—square breathing, naming your feelings, even the cold trick. Today, though, I want to take a step back and look at something a bit bigger. Or, well, maybe deeper is the word. It’s the idea of purpose—your personal “why.” Now, I know, “purpose” can sound a bit grand, maybe even intimidating, but stick with me. In times of anxiety and uncertainty, having a sense of purpose can be like an anchor. It doesn’t make the storm go away, but it gives you something solid to hold onto. I was reading Maya Thompson’s take on this—she describes purpose as your “why.” It’s what gives meaning to your grind, your hustle, your sleepless nights. And, honestly, you don’t have to have your whole life figured out to have a purpose. You can start now, wherever you are. I’ll share a quick story—when I was making a big career change, I was absolutely riddled with anxiety. I kept thinking, “What if I mess this up? What if I’m not cut out for this?” But when I sat down and really thought about my “why”—helping people find calm in chaos—it gave me something to come back to when my mind started spinning. It didn’t solve everything, but it steadied me. So, if you’re feeling lost or anxious, maybe start by asking yourself: what’s my “why”? Even if it’s just a whisper right now, it’s worth listening to.Now, let’s talk about how you actually find that “why.” Because, let’s be honest, sitting around waiting for purpose to strike like lightning—well, it’s not exactly reliable. I was listening to Jordan Adebayo, a youth life coach, and he said something that really stuck with me: “Purpose reveals itself in motion—not in overthinking.” I love that. It’s so easy to get stuck in your head, especially when you’re anxious. You start thinking, “What if I pick the wrong thing? What if I fail?” But Jordan’s advice is to just get curious and take action. Try things. See what lights you up. There’s a simple three-step strategy he suggests: First, write down three things that energize you and three things that drain you. Second, try something new—volunteering, a small project, anything that gets you moving. And third, talk to someone a bit ahead of you—a mentor, an older friend—ask them what gave them purpose when they were figuring things out. Let me give you a real example. There’s Amina—she was 19, studying communications, feeling like she wasn’t doing anything special. But she started volunteering at her local youth center, just showing up for younger girls. One day, a girl told her, “I didn’t think I mattered until I met you.” That moment changed everything for Amina. She didn’t have a perfect plan, but by taking action, she found her purpose. Now she leads a mentorship group and even runs a podcast. So, if you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s not about thinking harder—it’s about doing something, even if it’s small.And here’s the bit I really want you to hear: finding purpose doesn’t have to be some grand, world-changing gesture. It can start with the tiniest, most authentic actions. Encouraging a friend who’s having a rough day. Starting a journal to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Or just reaching out to someone you admire and asking, “How did you find your purpose?” I’ve seen this firsthand. I once worked with a client who was convinced she needed to make some huge change to feel purposeful. But what actually made the difference was helping her notice the small things—like how she made her colleagues feel seen, or how she listened to her friends. Those little actions, done consistently, built up her sense of meaning and, honestly, her resilience against anxiety. So, if you’re listening and thinking, “I don’t know where to start,” just pick one small thing. Maybe journal about your “why.” Try something new, even if it feels a bit awkward. Or send a message to someone you look up to. You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment. You just have to start. That’s it for today—thanks for joining me. Next time, we’ll dig into more ways to build calm and confidence, one step at a time. Take care, and remember: you’re not behind, you’re just beginning.

Episodes

Finding Your Why