Why Knowing Your Core Values is the Key to Living With Purpose

12 Apr

Ever felt like life looks good on the outside, but something still feels... off?

You’re doing everything “right”—meeting expectations, showing up for others, staying productive—but deep down, you feel disconnected or stuck on autopilot. That quiet discomfort is often a signal you’re living out of sync with your core values.

What Are Core Values?

Core values are the deeply held beliefs that guide your choices and reflect what matters most to you. They're not goals you tick off a list—they’re the why behind how you want to live, love, and lead.

When you honour your values, life tends to feel more energised, grounded, and meaningful.
When you don’t, you might find yourself running on empty, second-guessing decisions, or feeling like you’ve lost yourself along the way.

Why Living in Alignment Matters

Living in alignment with your values helps you:

Make decisions with more clarity and less overthinking
Set boundaries that actually stick
Let go of what’s not working, without guilt
Experience more meaning and joy in the everyday

Many of the women I coach realise they’ve been chasing what they should want, rather than what’s genuinely fulfilling. The result? Exhaustion, resentment, and a growing sense that something’s missing—even if they can’t name what.

Rediscovering your values can be the turning point.

Signs You're Out of Alignment

You say yes when you mean no (and then feel resentful)
Your calendar is full, but your energy is low
You’ve lost sight of what lights you up
You're doing “all the things,” but they don’t feel like yours

It’s not always about making a dramatic change. Sometimes, small course corrections—anchored in your values—make all the difference.

Where to Start: Explore Your Core Values

A simple way to begin is by identifying your signature character strengths—the traits that come most naturally to you. I recommend the free, research-backed VIA Character Strengths Survey to get started.

You can also download my free guide, 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm. It walks you through powerful reflection prompts to help you reset, reconnect, and begin living more intentionally—without adding more to your plate.

How This Ties into the Bigger Picture of Wellbeing

In the world of positive psychology, values play a central role in our overall wellbeing. They show up in the “M” of the PERMA model—Meaning—one of five essential pillars of a flourishing life.

To explore the full model and how you can apply it to your life, head to this post: The PERMA Model: A Science-Backed Framework for Lasting Wellbeing

Final Thought: You Don’t Need a Life Overhaul

Living in alignment with your values isn’t about burning everything down.
It’s about coming home to yourself, one small shift at a time.

When your values lead the way, your choices feel lighter, your energy flows more freely, and your life starts to reflect who you really are—not just who the world expects you to be.