In life, it seems crucial to find your “calling.” As a society, we want to feel useful and confident that we are on the right path. A calling is often associated with something spiritual or religious, and many people believe it must be connected to a career. However, this perspective can be limiting. While society often frames careers as a person’s primary calling, meaningful purpose can also be found outside of work through passions, experiences, and personal pursuits that enrich life beyond professional success (Wilding, Melody).

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In the book Make Your Job a Calling, the authors discuss the idea that a calling can exist outside the workplace. People may find meaning through activities such as music, writing, comedy, volunteering, or art, “using these callings outside of work to more effectively establish a sense of meaning and purpose in life as a whole” (Dik et al.). I believe this perspective is crucial for creating fulfillment in our lives beyond our careers.

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For me, travel is my calling. Experiencing the world, its cultures, food, exploration, and the diversity of human life across the planet is what gives me a sense of purpose. I have been fortunate to visit many places and witness a variety of experiences. I once traveled abroad for four months, moving from Europe to Africa and ending in Asia. Each destination was unique in its own way. Every community I encountered was diverse and meaningful. I observed both differences and similarities, as well as connections between countries and the ways cultures influence one another. Despite these differences, one thing remained clear: at the end of the day, we are all human. We share a love for the human experience. That realization is part of my calling to explore and better understand the world we live in.

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Below is a video compiled with footage from places I have traveled. During my travels, I have experienced a wide variety of activities, such as riding a camel through the Sahara Desert in Morocco, bungee jumping from the world’s tallest bridge in South Africa, and running a 10k in the mountains of Hong Kong. I have also tried many different foods, including ostrich in South Africa, pho and squid in Vietnam, and countless varieties of street food. The world I have seen is vast, and it continues to call me toward new experiences.

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There are many reasons why travel can create meaning and purpose, along with several benefits for overall well-being. Studies have shown that traveling provides psychological benefits that improve happiness and mental health while also offering valuable real-world learning experiences. One concept that relates to this is Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that focusing fully on an engaging activity in a positive environment allows the brain to relax and recover from mental fatigue (Kaplan et al., 1993, p. 726). This concept can also apply to other callings outside of work, such as hobbies, volunteering, or parenting. When individuals dedicate time to activities that genuinely bring them joy and meaning, it can increase overall life satisfaction.

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A career may provide stability, but it does not have to define a person’s purpose. Callings outside of work allow individuals to pursue passions that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection with the world around them. Whether through travel, hobbies, volunteering, or other meaningful pursuits, these experiences can shape a deeper understanding of life and personal fulfillment. When people embrace these callings, they create lives driven not just by obligation, but by genuine passion and meaning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sources

Dik, Bryan J., and Ryan D. Duffy. Make Your Job a Calling : How the Psychology of Vocation Can Change Your Life at Work, Templeton Press, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csu/detail.action?docID=1100828.

Created from csu on 2026-03-05 18:33:19.

S. Kaplan, L.V. Bardwell, D.B. Slakter The museum as a restorative environment Environment and Behavior, 25 (1993), pp. 725-742

Wilding, Melody. “Is Your Work a Job, Career, or Calling? Here’s the Difference.” Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021, melodywilding.com/is-your-work-a-job-career-or-calling-heres-the-difference/.