THE PURPOSE OF LIFE: WHY YOU NEED ONE (AND WHY THE LACK OF IT MIGHT JUST BE YOUR OWN PERSONAL HORROR STORY)

Learn how the lack of purpose can feel like a real-life horror story — and how to find your own reason to live boldly.

Colour / Reading Time 6 mins Approx

Let’s cut to the chase: having a purpose in life isn’t just some “optional” feel-good mantra that self-help gurus like to shout about — it’s your survival mechanism. A life without purpose? That’s where the real horror begins. And not the kind you see on screen. I'm talking the slow, soul-sucking horror of meaningless existence — that’s scarier than anything Freddy Krueger could ever dream up.

But, before we spiral into existential dread, let's dig into why having a purpose matters, what happens when you don’t have one, and why it’s time to take it as seriously as surviving a slasher flick. And because we love a good horror movie around here, we’ll link everything back to the world of scream queens and final girls.

Why You Need Purpose Like Michael Myers Needs His Mask

Look, you could drift through life without a purpose if you’re down with playing the living dead, but what’s the point? It’s like being the dumb teenager in a horror movie who ignores the warning signs. “Don’t go into the woods at night,” they say. And yet, they still venture out there, clueless, lost, and asking to be axe-murdered.

Finding your purpose is your warning sign. It’s the compass that keeps you from wandering into the metaphorical dark woods of life, where nothing good ever happens. With purpose, you have a reason to get up, a reason to fight, a reason to push through all the everyday nonsense.

And if you really want a masterclass in relentless purpose, look no further than Michael Myers himself. Sure, he’s the villain, but think about it — the guy has had a single‑minded focus for decades. Nothing distracts him, nothing throws him off course. While we’re not suggesting you follow his methods (please don’t!), there’s something powerful about that unstoppable drive. Imagine what your life could look like if you pursued your own goals with that same level of intensity. When you channel even a fraction of that relentless purpose into something positive — building your career, creating art, or chasing a dream — you become unstoppable in your own story, no mask or kitchen knife required.

Remember in Nightmare on Elm Street when Nancy realises she’s got to face Freddy Krueger head-on if she’s ever going to survive? Her purpose wasn’t just “survive,” it was vanquish the monster. Purpose isn’t about just getting by; it’s about knowing what you’re fighting for. It’s about waking up every day with a reason to give life your middle finger and take on whatever horrors lie ahead. Without it, you’re just another nameless victim, wandering aimlessly through the plot.

The Real-Life Horror of Not Having Purpose

Now, let’s talk about what happens when you don’t have purpose. Spoiler alert: it’s like living in your own psychological Blair Witch Project. You’re stuck in a loop, circling around the same metaphorical trees, with no direction and no exit. Every day feels the same. You’re lost in your own mental forest, calling out for help, but no one’s there to answer.

Sound familiar? When you don’t have purpose, life becomes monotonous, boring, and — worst of all — devoid of meaning. You start to wonder if any of it matters. And that’s when the real monsters creep in: self-doubt, insecurity, apathy, even burnout and depression. It’s the kind of slow-burn horror that creeps up on you, and before you know it, you’re trapped in the most terrifying place of all: a life you don’t actually care about.

Now let me remind you of The Shining. Jack Torrance is a man with no real purpose. Sure, he goes to the Overlook Hotel with the intention to write, but it quickly becomes apparent that he’s grasping at straws, searching for something to fill the void. Without purpose, Jack succumbs to the hotel’s dark forces, loses his mind, and ends up chasing his family around with an axe. You know, as one does.

Not saying you're going to lose your marbles and go full Jack Torrance, but when you don't have a purpose, you're way more likely to let your inner demons take over. Anxiety and apathy thrive in the absence of purpose. You start to feel like an extra in your own life, rather than the main character. And that's no way to live.

Find Your Purpose (Or Die Trying)

So, what’s the alternative? Simple: find your purpose in life. And no, it doesn’t have to be as grand as “saving the world” or even “starting a billion-dollar business.” Your purpose can be as personal as “helping others,” “creating art,” or hell, even “watching every horror movie ever made.” The point is, your purpose needs to light a fire under your ass. It needs to scare you a little.

Here’s the deal: you’ve got to figure out what makes you feel alive and then chase that thing with reckless abandon. Ask yourself: What’s worth the fear? What’s worth facing the monsters? What makes you want to get out of bed, even on the days you feel like crawling under it?

Don’t wait for a burning bush or a masked killer to show up and give you clarity (because they won’t… hopefully). Purpose is something you create, not something that happens to you.

Dark Copers: The Horror Heroes of Everyday Life

Ever heard of a “dark coper”? Yeah, it sounds like the name of a villain, but stay with me. In psychology, dark copers are people who use dark, negative, or unconventional methods to deal with the challenges of life. They watch horror movies, listen to death metal, and embrace the shadows to feel better. It’s kind of like how some of us would rather watch Friday the 13th for stress relief instead of doing yoga.

Dark copers get that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. They know that sometimes, you need to dive into the darkness to come out stronger. They use the macabre as their coping mechanism, and guess what? It works. Why? Because they’re not running from their fears — they’re facing them head-on.

The horror genre has always been the underdog’s playground — the place where the misunderstood, the weirdos, and the so-called outcasts survive. They take what scares them and use it as fuel. Dark copers are doing the same thing in real life. They're turning their fears into power. And that’s something we can all learn from.

Your Purpose Is Waiting — What Are You Gonna Do About It?

At the end of the day, having a purpose isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the only thing standing between you and your own personal horror show. Without it, you’re just wandering through life, waiting for something to happen. But when you have purpose? You’re the hero. You’re the one facing down the monster, axe in hand, unafraid to carve out your own path.

So, what's it gonna be? Are you going to let life happen to you, or are you going to take control of your story? You don’t need permission, you don’t need a plan, you just need to start. Find your purpose, own it, and for the love of all things spooky, don’t wait until the credits roll to figure it out.

Because in the end, we all die. But it’s what you do before that matters most.

Now, go be your own horror hero. And if you need a little inspiration, start by watching your favourite scream queen kick some serious ass.

IN ODD WE TRUST Presents
A FIELD NOTES FROM THE DARK Production
Starring YOU, the protagonist in your own psychological thriller
Produced by A LIFETIME OF QUESTIONABLE DECISIONS
Directed by EXISTENTIAL DREAD Story by THAT VOICE IN YOUR HEAD AT 3AM
Costume Design BE THE NIGHTMARE TEE Music by DISSONANT SYNTH and REGRET
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