What is Purpose?

What is purpose?

Purpose is essentially what you came here to do and why you exist. It is your highest calling of service. How you fulfill that purpose is up to you. It should align with things that bring you joy and highlight your unique skills. Are you mechanical? An artist? Good at branding? Fascinated by electricity? What are your skills, and how do they connect to your highest purpose of service?

Service is crucial because, when we serve a higher good—whether for people, animals, or the planet—we feel better. Serving others triggers chemical changes in our bodies; the hormones and neurotransmitters released during these connections boost our mood and even protect us from illness. Lives of service are associated with reduced stress, allowing our bodies' systems to function and heal as they should. Altruism reduces pain, strengthens our hearts, and makes us more resilient. It protects against anxiety, depression, and burnout and can even contribute to professional success.

However, this only works when you are in following your joy. I know someone who is vegan and loves animals. You might think she would volunteer at an animal shelter, but instead, she started a vegan food brand introducing a new protein in the United States. This was her way of encouraging people to go vegan and save more animals. The highest service is your purpose; the "how" is up to you and your skills.

Why are we talking more about purpose now?

About a year ago, I had an epiphany about saving the planet. I believe my purpose is to save the planet, but you can't ask people to save the planet until they can save themselves. Many people are struggling right now—with mental health, loneliness, a crisis of purpose, and more. People are more depressed, angry, and divided than ever. I truly believe the only thing that can save the world is to get everyone into their purpose, to get everyone into a happier, healthier, and more joyful place. If everyone fulfilled their purpose, it might restore balance to the planet.

My ask for you is for you to understand what you want out of your life and how you want to give back. Maybe it's planting more native plants in your front yard or starting a container garden in your New York apartment. Maybe it's something bigger like cleaning up the oceans or protecting sacred lands. Stop doom scrolling, find your joy, get excited, and be happy, because we need you to shine your light. I'm convinced that the only way to save the planet is by discovering your light and shining it into the world.

What does purpose have to do with clothing?

The short answer is time! You need time back to focus on your vision for the future. There's a reason Steve Jobs wore turtlenecks, Rick Rubin wears nothing but crewnecks and Crocs, and Audrey Hepburn was known for her basics. Life is too short to focus on anything but your joy and excitement. If you're one of our customers, that joy might be in the form of underwear you forget you're wearing or a tank that feels like butter. Ultimately, you need a focused, streamlined, refined wardrobe that gets you from A to B without much thought. Enter TBF's beautiful, plastic-free Pima cotton basics that pair with virtually anything—the true meaning of versatility.