Focus on what matters most to You
Sometimes life feels like an out-of-control carnival – especially to us introverts – lights flashing, crowds pushing, the whole place buzzing with deafening noise. Somehow, you’re supposed to stay balanced, find your way, and maybe even enjoy the ride. That’s modern life. Now, picture someone gliding through all that with clarity, intention, determination, and an unmistakable glow of fulfilment. That’s a purpose-driven woman.
But what does it really mean to be purpose-driven? Spoiler: it’s not just about clocking into a job or chasing your pre-packaged “passion.” It goes much deeper. A purpose-driven woman lives with intention, clarity, and deep connection to her core values. She isn’t simply moving through life checking boxes or meeting others’ expectations – she’s actively creating a life that aligns with her deepest calling and her unique gifts.
It’s more than a title. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset, a quiet superpower in a world that can’t sit still.
What is a Purpose-Driven Woman?
A purpose-driven woman is someone who lives in alignment with her values and personal goals, shaping her actions around a deeply held sense of meaning. She is motivated not just by external success but by an internal compass that guides her choices. These women often find that their purpose is woven into their work, relationships, and contributions to the world.
Purpose-driven women share several key characteristics:
Clear Values and Vision: Take Maria, a former corporate executive who realised her true purpose lay in sustainable agriculture. Rather than continuing on a conventional path, she now runs an organic farm that employs and empowers other women. Her clarity of purpose guides every decision she makes.
Impact-Focused Action: Consider Sarah, a teacher who recognized that her purpose extended beyond classroom walls. She created after-school mentoring programs that have transformed hundreds of young lives. Purpose-driven women understand that their actions ripple outward, affecting their communities and beyond.
Authentic Leadership: Elena leads a tech startup not just for profit, but to increase diversity in STEM fields. Her purpose shapes her leadership style, hiring practices, and company culture. She measures success not only in numbers but in lives changed.
Contribute to their Communities: Take Emily, a woman in her 40s who decided to shift from her high-pressure corporate career to open a cosy bookshop and coffee corner. For Emily, this transition represented more than just a career change; it was about creating a community space where people could find comfort and connection. Her purpose became about building a nurturing environment where individuals could pause and feel welcome—transforming her work into a meaningful journey that inspires and uplifts others.
Does investing in Life Purpose discovery have significant long-term benefits?
Living with purpose doesn’t just make life more fulfilling; it provides inspiration, motivation and direction in difficult times, makes it easier to make decisions, eradicates procrastination, offers resilience during life transitions, and leads to greater life satisfaction. Research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology (2018) demonstrated that purpose-driven individuals showed greater resilience to stress and are more likely to experience greater satisfaction and are better equipped to handle stress.
For women, especially those navigating major life changes such as a career shift, empty nesting, or a new relationship status, purpose offers a steady ground—a reason to keep going even when the road ahead feels uncertain. Research also suggests that investing in purpose discovery can have significant long-term benefits for women’s personal and professional lives. Gender & Society Journal (2017) published research specifically examining how women’s sense of purpose correlates with leadership effectiveness and career advancement. A study in Women & Health (2019) found that women with a strong sense of purpose reported better work-life balance and lower burnout rates. A study in the Journal of Business Ethics (2019) showed that purpose-driven women entrepreneurs were more likely to create sustainable businesses with positive social impact.
How can a Camino de Santiago Walking Retreats Help You Find Your Purpose?
Attending a Camino de Santiago walking retreat in the southwest of France offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery and clarity. Away from the daily demands and distractions, these retreats encourage reflection and allow participants to connect with their inner selves. Walking through nature, with the quiet of the Camino trail, provides space for introspection and a chance to see life from a new perspective. The T2T retreat is the most popular with those going through life transitions:
Hit the pause button and regain your footing during a From Troubled to Triumphant: Find Solid Ground during Life Quakes Retreat. Imagine walking a peaceful stretch of the Camino de Santiago, where every step helps untangle the mental clutter or spending time with gentle Friesian horses who teach you the art of mindfulness. These retreats blend reflection and relaxation in a way that feels more like an exciting adventure than hard work. Whether you choose to make a change or are forced to, this retreat offers the perfect blend of peace, perspective, and playful exploration to help you rise from troubled to triumphant!
The Camino experience has a way of stripping away what isn’t essential, helping you focus on what truly matters. You’ll have the chance to explore questions like “What gives me energy?” and “How do I want to show up in the world?” Over the course of the retreat, many women begin to see patterns and feel a pull toward certain directions, gaining valuable insights into what purpose means for them personally.
Participants leave these retreats with:
- A clear understanding of their core purpose
- An action plan for implementing changes
- Practical tools for purpose-driven decision-making
- A supportive network of like-minded women
- Renewed energy and commitment
Transformational Stories from the Camino
Jennifer’s Journey: From Burnout to Breakthrough
“I arrived on the Camino feeling exhausted and disconnected from my life’s work as a healthcare administrator. The combination of daily walking meditation, skilled guidance, and deep conversations with other women helped me recognize that my true purpose wasn’t just managing healthcare – it was transforming it. Since the retreat, I’ve launched a successful healthcare advocacy program for underserved communities. The Camino didn’t just help me find my purpose; it gave me the courage to pursue it.”
Rachel’s Renaissance: Rediscovering Creativity
“At 45, I felt stuck in a successful but soulless corporate career. The Camino retreat created space for me to reconnect with my abandoned dreams of artistic expression. Walking through ancient villages and sharing stories with other women awakened something I’d long forgotten. Today, I run a thriving art therapy practice, helping others heal through creativity. The retreat showed me that purpose isn’t about choosing between security and passion – it’s about finding ways to bring them together.”
Maya’s Metamorphosis: From Empty Nest to New Beginning
“When my youngest left for college, I felt lost. The Camino retreat came at exactly the right time. Through guided reflections and the simple act of putting one foot in front of another, I discovered a calling to work with other women in transition. The community of women I met showed me that my experience could be a gift to others. Now I lead women’s circles and mentor others through life transitions. My empty nest became a launching pad for something beautiful.”
Finding one’s purpose isn’t a destination but a journey. The Camino walking retreat offers women a profound first step or a meaningful reset on this lifelong path. By combining ancient wisdom with modern facilitation, physical challenge with spiritual growth, and solitude with community, these retreats create the perfect conditions for purpose to emerge and take root.
As you consider your own journey toward purpose-driven living, remember that every great adventure begins with a single step. The Camino awaits.
If an in-person retreat isn’t feasible, consider enrolling in the Rearing to Get Going in a New Direction: Finding Your Life Purpose Guided by Horses online course, inspired by the wisdom of horses. While this course doesn’t involve direct contact with horses, allows you to explore your values and goals in a self-paced format, uncovering insights that help you move forward in your personal and professional life. It’s ideal for anyone looking to reconnect with their inner purpose and approach their future with fresh motivation, especially during a life transition.
Thus on-demand online retreat is your step-by-step guide to uncovering your unique life purpose. This course gives you the clarity and confidence you need to step boldly into the next phase of your life, equipped with a purpose that feels right for you. No more frustration. No more doubt. Just clear direction. During this DIY, at-home retreat, you’ll move from feeling stuck, lost, or uncertain to having a crystal-clear understanding of your current life purpose—tailored to your specific life circumstances.
Final Thoughts
A purpose-driven woman isn’t born overnight, but by stepping out of your usual surroundings and engaging in a retreat like the Camino, you open yourself to the clarity and courage it takes to live life on your terms. Whether you’re contemplating a big change, searching for a deeper connection with yourself, or simply feeling “stuck,” a Camino de Santiago walking retreat or a Finding Your Life Purpose Guided by Horses online course offers the time and support to reconnect with what matters most.
The key is for you to discover what you love to do, what you were created to do, and then do it for the people around you with love. That is the abundant life, dear girl, no matter where in the world you live. –Robin Jones Gunn
Author Bio: Dr Margaretha Montagu – described as a “game changer”, “gifted healer”, “guiding light” and “life-enriching author” – is an experienced medical doctor, a certified NLP practitioner, a medical hypnotherapist, an equine-assisted psychotherapist (EAGALAcertified) and a transformational retreat leader who guides her clients through life transitions – virtually, or with the assistance of her Friesian and Falabella horses, at their home in the southwest of France.