What gives someone purpose in their life?

One of the symptoms of depression is a feeling of worthlessness which is something I can identify with. If I can identify feeling worthless, surely that means I know what would make me worthwhile? I don't though and my therapist wants me to come up with some ideas.

Has anyone any thoughts on what makes someone worthwhile or gives their life a purpose?

Hi Karen

 

I've spent many an hour with my therapist thinking about this and it was actually her that suggested I asked others for some ideas so I am not really cheating!!

 

It's difficult to say what makes someone worthwhile (is it because they are a kind person or raise a loving family or donate money to charity?) and I guess everyone has different ideas. Am I worthwhile just because I am me? Probably, yes, but why then do I feel so worthless (apart from the depression)?

That's why we changed the question to what gives someone purpose? If I vanished off the face of the earth, my family would notice but the world would carry on perfectly okay. It's not as if I am making a difference in anyone's life or to anything that's going on around me.

 

Maybe I am expecting too much. Perhaps we don't need a purpose but that brings me back to what the point of it all is and why I should keep struggling to get better.

 

I will keep thinking but if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate them.

 

Thanks, Eeyore

What makes me feel worthy is knowing I have raised 3 wonderful children to young adulthood....The love for and from my grandchild...Knowing that I touch some people's lives while coming here...My education that I paid for myself...And the success I have become with my job. I may not directly touch someone's life like their doctor or nurse does, but I type up those doctor's reports and if they mis-state a medication dosage, I look into it and correct it and save them from being overdosed somewhere down the line, then I have touched their life without them knowing it....My dogs and rabbits make me feel worthy knowing that they depend on me.

My depression makes me feel worthless, my pain makes me feel worthless...sometime I make MYSELF feel worthless with my thoughts

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. They've given me a lot to think about.

I had believed that you had to actively make a difference in someone else's life to be worthwhile / have a purpose but I'm now thinking that's not necessarily true. Just making people smile or laugh is a purpose isn't it? Or baby sitting for my little neice?
I wish I had my own dreams to pursue as acheiving them would make me feel I had done something worthwhile. I don't though as my head is so clouded with depression and drugs. I guess the dreams will come in time though.

Maddi, I am really sorry to hear about your sister. One of my closest friends committed suicide just before Christmas and I've found that hard enough to deal with. I cannot imagine losing a sibling. My thoughts are with you.
You are right that I couldn't put my family through the pain. There are days though when I do wonder but I know that's the depression talking.

Eeyore,first of all your attitude and wanting to get help is what is going to help you get better... you have made huge steps in that department.

I also thought of something else, about 4 years ago I volunteered for a nursing home where I would just go for a couple hours on a Saturday and visit with some of the patients..it was awesome for me,and I loved hearing their stories.. but it was sad because alot of them don't have their families coming to see them on a regular basis...so make sure you can handle that part.