Jedidiah Jenkins, a travel writer and author of bestselling books, shares his journey of purpose from cycling 10,000 miles to exploring meaningful living. He discusses the evolving concept of purpose across generations and contrasts it with modern challenges like mental health issues and social media pressures. Jenkins emphasizes the importance of creation over consumption, advocating for intentional activities to find fulfillment. He inspires listeners to embrace lifelong learning and curiosity as vital paths to discovering their true purpose.
Purpose transcends conventional roles and achievements, being rooted in varied aspects of life such as relationships and personal motivations.
The shift from consumption to creation fosters fulfillment, as engaging in creative endeavors can enhance one's sense of purpose and connection.
Deep dives
The Journey to Discovering Purpose
Understanding purpose is presented as an essential guiding principle in life. It transcends the conventional understanding, emphasizing that purpose can be embedded in various aspects of existence, including relationships, work, and even facing mortality. Exploring the deeper meaning beneath surface-level desires often uncovers connections to personal motivations and life aspirations. Jedediah Jenkins suggests that many individuals mislabel their ambitions, focusing on specific roles or achievements, failing to recognize that their true hunger for purpose could be addressed in diverse ways.
Generational Shifts and Mental Health
The mental health challenges faced by younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are attributed to the historical context of their upbringing. Unlike previous generations that prioritized survival, modern youth are often presented with comforts, but struggle to find deeper fulfillment amidst an abundance of choices. The constant comparison fostered by social media and the visibility of wealthier peers creates feelings of inadequacy. Jenkins argues that this phenomenon leads to a heightened existential crisis, pushing individuals to question their purpose beyond mere survival.
The Importance of Creation Over Consumption
A key theme is the shift from consumption to creation as a source of fulfillment. Jenkins highlights that engaging in creative projects—no matter how small—can provide a sense of accomplishment and connection to purpose. By planting wildflowers or sharing thoughts online, individuals can find joy in their ability to create. This act not only satisfies a deep-rooted need for productivity but can also resonate with others, thereby amplifying personal joy and meaning.
Questions and Curiosity as Pathways to Purpose
Navigating the journey to discovering one's purpose hinges on asking the right questions. Jenkins emphasizes the value of curiosity; following what piques interest can lead to meaningful experiences and insights. He encourages individuals to recognize that their aspirations for purpose are not confined to a single avenue. Instead, they should explore various paths and be open to the lessons learned along each journey, highlighting the idea that purpose evolves as one navigates through different phases of life.
Jedidiah Jenkins is a travel writer who lives with life with intention and purpose. He worked a dream job as a lawyer for the nonprofit Invisible Children before quitting to bike 10,000 miles from Oregon to Patagonia. He wrote a New York Times-bestselling book about his experience and has inspired thousands of people to engage their own lives with similar curiosity and passion. He is also the executive editor of Wilderness magazine.
In this episode, Branden and Jedidiah talk about the nuance of purpose, how it’s different from what we imagine, and how we can find it — or at least get started in the right direction.