Finding Purpose in an Age of Anxiety

As the country becomes ever increasingly fragmented, many find themselves lost in the whirlwind of daily headlines. The continuous cycle of pursuing what is happening right now often abandons questions of meaning and purpose on the curbside.

As of late, this issue has increasingly pervaded our society. In fact, a research study by Larissa Rainey in 2014 found that 90 percent of people in the United States experience "purpose anxiety" - the stressful fear and insecurity that arises from being unable to define one's own purpose in life.

That sense of uncertainty was at the center of a Blue Zones Project Riverside "Purpose Workshop" held in late January 2026, where residents of different ages gathered together to reflect on what gives their lives meaning. Led by Executive Director and former City Councilmember Erin Edwards, the workshop combined guided discussions with thought-provoking exercises designed to help participants clarify their trajectory in life.

"I went to the workshop because I wanted clarity on whether my purpose was actually what I thought it was," said participant Parry Townson. "I had something in mind, but I wanted to make sure there was something else I could consider to better refine it."

Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their life experiences and sense of purpose - a process that proved to be eye-opening to many.

"The most impactful part of the workshop for me was hearing other people's purpose," Townson said. "At our table, hearing Kristen's, Faith's, Brian's - it was interesting to see how our purposes overlapped in some ways, but were also unique to each person."

One of the workshop's central frameworks was what organizers called the "Purpose Formula": Gifts + Passions + Values = Purpose. According to Blue Zones, purpose is fulfilled when individuals "offer gifts in service to something they are passionate about in an environment that is consistent with their core values."

To put that idea into practice, the participants took part in a card-based exercise representing a wide range of personal strengths and traits. They were tasked with narrowing the deck down to five qualities they resonate with most. Using those selected traits, participants then constructed a purpose statement, creating a clearer - and more concise - picture of their personal calling.

While the "Purpose Workshop" centers around individual reflection, it serves as a single piece of Blue Zones Project Riverside's broader mission to produce measurable, community-wide change. With a central goal of promoting longer, healthier, and happier lives through the "Power 9" principles, Blue Zones uses a diverse array of metrics to measure their impact in localized communities.

"Each year, the Gallup Well-Being Index survey is distributed to City of Riverside residents. This data allows us to measure changes in overall well-being and track progress compared to our baseline year in 2024," Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator Vanessa Gomez-Alvarado said. "In addition, we collect meaningful personal stories from residents. Many participants have shared testimonials about how their habits, health, or sense of connection have improved through involvement with Blue Zones Project Riverside."

But the impact of Blue Zones Project Riverside extends beyond survey results and personal stories, materializing into tangible changes throughout the city.

"One measurable change has been the approval of two Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants in Riverside: The Riverside Airport Cafe and Flat O Wrap," Gomez-Alvarado said. "These two approvals represent a meaningful shift towards increasing access to healthier, plant-based meal options at local dining spots residents already know and enjoy. These changes help make the healthier choice the easier choice in the City of Riverside."

At its rudimentary core, Blue Zones encourages a "give and grow" mindset in hopes of spreading positive ripples far beyond its original source.

"One of the things from the workshop I see myself applying is thinking about what I'm going to do each day with intention," Townson said. "You reflect on whether you were able to make someone's day better or contribute beyond just yourself."

In a world that often prioritizes what is happening right now, Blue Zones Project Riverside invites residents to take a step back and reflect. In that reflection, one reclaims their personal motivation behind their desire to see the next sunrise.

Now, dear reader, it leaves you with one question: "Why do you get out of bed every morning?"

By Erik Chen