Follow Your Bliss
- Chloe Kemp
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 25

Photo by Graciela Laurent Photography
Well-known mythologist, writer, and teacher, Joseph Campbell coined the phrase, "follow your bliss." It is about honoring your inner calling. He believed that everyone has an inner calling that aligns with their authentic self.
Following your bliss is not simply doing what's 'fun or easy,' but instead listening to your heart and intuition, and making choices that honor your unique path -- even if those choices seem risky or unconventional. It's about living authentically and finding meaning in what you do. Your bliss is not always 'safe' or 'logical,' but it calls you toward wholeness. It's about what makes you feel most alive, fulfilled, and deeply happy -- even if it's not what society, family, or others expect of you. It's about what feels deeply right, authentic, and aligned with your soul.
"Do what makes you feel most alive, fulfilled, and deeply happy
— even if it's not what society, family, or others expect of you."
-- Joseph Campbell
How can you honor the process to find and follow your bliss?
Choosing a Path that Feels Alive to You—Even if it Scares You.
It takes courage to follow your bliss, to choose a path that may seem risky or unconventional. However, remember that it's about what feels deeply right and authentic to you.
Someone who loves art but studied business because it seemed 'practical' might choose to open a small art studio anyway, because painting fills them with joy and meaning.
A person in a corporate job who feels dead inside decides to teach yoga because that's what they've always loved.
Your bliss is not awlays "safe" or "logical," but it calls you toward wholeness.
What Lights You Up?
When you're following your bliss, you notice what gives you a sense of flow— where you lost track of time, feel energized, and deeply satisfied. Even if these don't make you rich or famous, they are worth prioritizing.
Writing stories, even though no one requested them.
Working in a garden and feeling at peace.
Traveling to remote places and feeling alive in the unknown.
Trust that Life Will Support You When You Align with Your True Self.
According to Campbell, "doors will open where there were not doors before" when you follow your bliss. In other words, when you take steps toward what's yours to do, you often meet the right people, opportunities, or synchronicities at just the right time.
It's Not Just About Pleasure, It's Also About Meaning.
Bliss doesn't mean only what feels good right now. It's about what feels deeply right, authentic, and aligned with your soul.
A parent raising children out of love — hard, tiring work, yet profoundly fulfilling.
An activist fighting for justice, even though it's challenging.
A spiritual seeker going through trials on the way to awakening.
Your bliss may include struggle, but it's a meaningful one. It does not require you to quit your job tomorrow and move the to the mountains. Even small steps toward your bliss — taking an hour to write, enrolling in a class you love, spending more time on what fills you can change your whole life's trajectory.
Practical and gentle ways to. start aligning with your bliss.
Pay Attention to What Lights You Up
At the end of each day, jot down 1-2 moments when you felt alive, joyful, or deeply satisfied, no matter how small.
When you were helping someone solve a problem.
When you were cooking and lost track of time.
When you were outside and felt at peace.
Make a "Bliss List"
Sit quietly and write a list of 10-15 things you love to do, even if you haven't done them in years.
Think about childhood joys, hobbies, skills, places, even moods (like "feeling free" or "feeling useful.")
Then circle 1-2 things and include these into your life more this week.
Schedule Bliss Time
Block out 30-60 minutes a week (to start) focusing on what brings you joy, guilt-free.
Treat it like a sacred appointment.
Paint for no reason.
Visit a park and do nothing.
Take yourself to a museum.
Play music.
Call someone who makes you laugh.
Tune Into Your Body's Signals
As you face decisions, big or small, pause and ask: "Does this feel expansive and light .....
or heavy and contracted?
Your body often knows what your mind hasn't yet figured out. Bliss feels light, open, alive
— even if it also feels scary.
Notice and Follow Little Curiosities
Next time something sparks your curiosity or excites you, even just a little, take one step toward it. Bliss often begins as a whisper.
Read that book you keep thinking about.
Take a class on something you've always wondered about.
Strike up a conversation about a topic that excites you.
Surround Yourself with Inspiration
Inspiration makes it easier to trust your path.
Spend time with people, books, art, or places that remind you of what's possible and what you love about life.
Reflect on What You Want to Feel
Pay attention to what feeling you want more of— freedom, peace, joy, creativity, connection, meaning.
Ask yourself each day: "What's one think I can do today that moves me closer to that feeling?" This self reflection will help you stay true to your bliss.
You don't have to have it all figured out to begin. Bliss isn't a destination; it's a way of walking your path, step by step, choice by choise. Even the smallest actions can bring immense joy and fulfillment, reminding you that you're on the right path.
The photo at the top is a great example of how I look and feel when I'm following my bliss. I recently have been working a lot and was feeling a little burned out. One morning, I woke up and the first Spirit message I received was that I needed to take a "vacation day" and go to the natural hot springs. I didn't argue or try to convince myself that I had too much work to do. Instead, I quickly prepared to leave early so I would have the whole day there to rest and relax.
It was a great day. As I sat in the pool and closed my eyes, I took a few deep breaths and began meditating, while the sun beamed gently on my face. I was surprised at how quickly I got into a deep meditative state, considering there were many other people in the pool, talking and splashing in the water. So there I was, surrounded by people and lots of noise, as I basked in the beauty and awe of the moment.
I would love for you to share some of the ways you follow your bliss.
If you would like help with finding and following your bliss, please contact me.
Peace & Blessings,
Chloe
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