For many of us, the decisions we make about work are no longer guided by what matters most to us. They are guided by what feels safest. Somewhere along the way, meaningful work became something we were encouraged to pursue only after the bills were paid, the responsibilities were met and every possible risk had been eliminated – Conditions that some of us spend our whole lives chasing yet never obtain.

We often think of loneliness as an emotional experience, but its effects extend far beyond how we feel. Research suggests that chronic social isolation has a profound impact on our physical health, increasing our risk of dementia, heart disease and stroke. This isn't simply a social issue. It is a public health concern.

Millions of people around the world report feeling a lack of purpose in their lives. Even the concept of purpose can feel inaccessible and somewhat indulgent in a world where so many of us are focused on survival. For a long time I shared this view, until I began to understand the way purpose intersects with wellbeing.