Sincerely Sydney: Purpose in life

In+her+weekly+column%2C+staff+reporter+Sydney+Gish+provides+her+take+on+high+school+life.+

In her weekly column, staff reporter Sydney Gish provides her take on high school life.

“Why am I here?”

“What is my purpose in life?”

As deep as is it, it’s not uncommon to wonder what the point of being here is and trying to find a reason to make life feel like it has a purpose. Obviously not all students feel like this, but there are some who wonder if this is all there is. Wake up, go to school, come home, and repeat until graduation then wake up, go to work, come home.  

It can be hard to feel this way when it seems like no one else gets it. It’s hard not to feel alone and even brings feelings of hopelessness. Although many of us have opportunities that others may not, it’s not selfishness or ungratefulness that causes these feelings. Sometimes it’s hard to keep pretending that there isn’t something missing in life.

People can feel like this and not even realize it. Waking up and not feeling excited, doing things that society suggests are “right” but still feeling unhappy, or being afraid to move on are common signs of being “alive” but not actually living.

I always felt like I needed to leave some kind of impact on the world. I believed all the stuff I’m doing right now is meaningless and if it will ever feel like I have a purpose. I don’t want to grow up to be someone who makes a lot of money and seems happy, but in reality they are only doing what other people are doing to have the facade of a normal, happy existence.

Everyone at some point or other, has moments where they wish things would just slow down, and these moments will pass. It’s good to have these questions, because it symbolizes a desire to get more out of life. We all have a purpose and we all deserve to be here and even though things may not be going well right now, things can change in an instance. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing or why you’re here, there’s still so much left to experience and places to see and people to meet, just make sure you’re here to see it.

Sincerely,

Sydney