Finding purpose in the new year
Finding Purpose in the New Year with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
As the New Year begins, many of us search for meaning and direction. Whether it’s seeking personal growth or simply finding more fulfilment, the process of uncovering purpose is often more complex than setting resolutions. This is where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help guide you.
ACT encourages us to find purpose by focusing on our values and living in alignment with them, despite life's inevitable challenges. Here’s how ACT can help you discover your purpose in the New Year:
1. Clarify Your Values
Purpose often starts with identifying what truly matters to you. In ACT, we focus on values — the principles that guide our actions. These might include kindness, creativity, or connection. Clarifying your values gives you a compass for navigating life and aligning your actions with what’s important to you.
2. Accept What You Can’t Control
Life comes with difficult emotions and uncertainties. ACT teaches us to accept these feelings without judgment. Struggling against discomfort only intensifies it. By embracing uncomfortable emotions, you free yourself to take meaningful action, no matter how you feel in the moment.
3. Be Present
ACT encourages mindfulness, focusing on the present moment. When we’re grounded in the present, we’re better able to notice what aligns with our values. Being mindful helps you make decisions and take actions that support your purpose each day, rather than getting lost in the past or future.
4. Commit to Aligned Actions
Purpose is built through consistent, small actions that reflect your values. ACT focuses on taking committed action, even when faced with fear or doubt. Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to living a purposeful life.
5. Practice Flexibility and Self-Compassion
Life rarely goes as planned. ACT teaches us to stay flexible and be kind to ourselves when things don’t unfold as expected. By treating ourselves with compassion, we build resilience and stay true to our values, even through challenges.
In Conclusion
The New Year offers a fresh start, and using the principles of ACT can help you reconnect with your values and find deeper purpose. It’s not about perfection, but about living authentically and making choices aligned with what truly matters.
If you’d like support exploring your purpose or want to learn more about how ACT can help, I’m here to support you on your journey.
References for Further Reading:
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Harris, R. (2009). ACT Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
J. T. Blackledge (2007). "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introduction." International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 3(4), 347-353.