What’s Your Why? (2026 Edition)

This post first appeared on another blog a couple of years ago, back when I was thinking a lot about creative courage and what nudges people to keep going. I’m sharing it here now for two reasons. One, it still holds up. And two, the start of a new year—especially in a place like this—has a way of inviting quieter questions.

Your why.

Your reason for getting out of bed. The thing that keeps tugging at you, even when no one is watching.

Can you name it?

According to Simon Sinek—author, speaker, TED Talk rock star, and self-described unshakable optimist—we all have a why. It just takes some effort to uncover it.

One of his simplest suggestions is what he calls the “friends test.” Ask a close friend why they’re friends with you. Don’t let them off the hook with easy answers like “you’re nice” or “you make me laugh.” Push a little deeper. When they start using words that stop you in your tracks—or give you goosebumps—you’re probably circling something important.

Why does why matter?

Clearly, having a clearly articulated purpose isn’t required for survival. It’s not oxygen or water. Plenty of people get through life just fine without ever naming it.

That said, research shows that people who have a sense of purpose tend to experience better physical and mental health, reduced risk of chronic disease, and greater longevity. Even without the science, there’s something to be said for the clarity that comes from knowing what matters to you. It helps with decision-making. It sharpens focus. It reduces mental clutter.

I also think many of us get stuck believing our purpose has to be grand. Solving world hunger. Ending racism. Changing everything.

Those are worthy ambitions. They’re also heavy ones.

On the other end of the spectrum, purposes rooted entirely in personal gain—earning a lot of money, winning more races than your neighbor—might be motivating, but they don’t tend to be very satisfying for long.

A meaningful why often lives somewhere quieter.

Eight ways to define your why

Purpose doesn’t always show up as a single, tidy sentence. There are many ways to explore it. Here are a few:

• Fill in the blank. Simon Sinek boils a why statement down to this format: To ________ so that ________.The first blank describes your contribution to others. The second describes the impact.

• Design a bumper sticker. In as few words as possible, sum up what matters most to you.

• Utter a mantra. A simple reminder that helps you stay grounded when things get messy.

• Declare a manifesto. Give yourself a full page to write what you believe, what you know is true, and what you want for humanity.

• Write your eulogy. Yes, it’s a little morbid. It’s also clarifying.

• Make a business card. Give yourself a title and job description that actually fits. (E.g., Slow Living Strategist. Helping others live slower and look closer.)

• Explore ikigai. A Japanese concept meaning “reason for being,” often described as the overlap between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

At Bear Lake Local, we spend a lot of time paying attention to small, ordinary things—because they usually turn out to matter more than we expect. You don’t need to have a final answer but here’s something to sit with this week: What keeps pulling at your attention lately—and why do you think that is?

If you feel like sharing, the comments are open. And if not, that’s fine too. Some questions do their best work quietly.