Many indie sleaze girls have it tattooed on their wrists—Follow your bliss. It’s cliché, yes, but clichés exist for a reason. They hold a certain truth.
The phrase itself comes from Joseph Campbell, the renowned mythologist whose interviews with Bill Moyers became The Power of Myth, one of PBS’s most-watched programs—until Cosmos dethroned it in 1980. Campbell was a scholar who understood mythology as a living, breathing force, connecting ancient stories to modern lives. His passion was infectious.
What makes The Power of Myth remarkable is that it was recorded during the final weeks of Campbell’s life. He spoke with the vitality of a man at his peak, but in truth, he was closing the final chapter. He had spent decades studying the myths of the world, and he distilled that wisdom into a single directive: Follow your bliss.
The Hero’s Journey (and Yours)
Campbell’s most famous contribution to storytelling is the Hero’s Journey, a narrative arc that shapes everything from Star Wars to The Matrix. It begins with an ordinary figure—say, Tom Anderson—who is called to adventure, transforms through trials, and returns home changed, stepping into his destiny as Neo.
But Campbell wasn’t just talking about fiction. He was offering a blueprint for life. He believed that bliss wasn’t something you chose—it revealed itself to you. When you encountered it, you knew.
That’s a frustratingly vague answer. No ten-step plan. No checklist. No formula.
And yet, at its core, Follow your bliss is as simple as it is profound. It is an invitation to do what ignites you, what sets your soul on fire. It’s the same ethos echoed by my mentor Gala Darling, who reminds me often: Feeling good is your job. Happiness is your birthright.
Dispelling the Myths of Happiness
Of course, this is where people get skeptical. The modern world—Instagram, TikTok, whatever the latest algorithmic drug is—sells us the idea that bliss comes from fame and fortune.
Let me tell you something: it doesn’t.
As an heiress, I can confirm that wealth offers options, but it is not a recipe for joy. I’ve had days when I stared at my bank account, wondering what I could possibly buy to make myself feel better. And then there’s fame—watching The Kardashians has been, for me, equal parts entertainment and cautionary tale. The level of scrutiny, the constant judgment, the lack of anonymity—no amount of private jets or couture fittings can offset the sheer loss of freedom.
Once you strip away those false idols, you’re left with a simple truth: happiness looks different for everyone. When people follow their bliss, society flourishes in ways you can’t predict.
Take my physical therapist, Will. He’s so invested in his patients’ recovery that he sometimes forgets to eat lunch. (Please, Will, eat your lunch.) His bliss is helping others heal. Meanwhile, I would rather do almost anything than listen to people talk about their body aches all day. Different paths. Different purpose.
Your Job Probably Isn’t Your Bliss—But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Worthwhile
One of the biggest misconceptions about Follow your bliss is that it implies your job must be your passion. It won’t be—for most people, it isn’t.
I believe in my nonprofit’s mission. I take pride in my work. But is revenue generation my life’s purpose? Absolutely not. However, I’ve found ways to shape my role to align with my deeper values. I mentor younger colleagues, share ideas, and use my position to connect with people who need support. Through my job, I was invited to be an Expert in Residence at a local university, where I now mentor students. That’s where my bliss does intersect.
Your job doesn’t have to be your purpose, but your purpose can inform how you approach your work.
Designing a Life That Feels Good
I take my own happiness very seriously. I noticed morale was low at my office—a common issue in nonprofits, where people work hard for little pay and even less recognition. So I appointed myself Administrator of Fun.
I started small: custom-made pillows of everyone’s headshots, an organized supply cabinet, hiding tiny figurines around the office, making birthdays and anniversaries a priority. Little things. The results? A slightly happier workplace.
We only get one life (I think), and I refuse to spend mine miserable. Instead of suffering, I ask: How am I complicit in my own dissatisfaction? And more importantly: What can I do about it?
How to Actually Find Your Bliss
When I first heard Campbell’s phrase, I was excited—until I realized he wasn’t going to tell me how to find my bliss. That part was up to me.
But I’ve devised a method. It worked for me. Maybe it will work for you.
- List your childhood dreams. What did you want to be? Ignore whether they sound ridiculous. Mine? Writer, fashion designer, teacher.
- Identify what attracted you to each. Distill them into one word. I came up with: Intelligent (Writer), Cool (Fashion Designer), Impactful (Teacher).
- Refine the words to something meaningful. “Cool” isn’t quite right, but Stylish is. My final words: Intelligent, Stylish, Meaningful.
- Draw a three-circle Venn Diagram. Each circle represents one of your words.
- Brainstorm activities that fit. Some will land in multiple categories.
- Find what sits at the center. The activities that tick all three boxes? That’s your bliss.
For me, writing this article fits perfectly. But your result will be different—and that’s the point.
- Eliminate what doesn’t fit. Some things don’t align with your values. Minimize them, delegate them, or let them go entirely.
Bliss Isn’t Always Easy, But It’s Always Worth It
Yes, finding your purpose is as simple as following your bliss. And also, it isn’t.
We live in an attention economy designed to hijack our focus, making it harder to tap into what truly fulfills us. But Campbell’s wisdom has endured for a reason. Strip away the distractions, the false promises, the noise. What remains?
Your bliss. Follow it.
Nero Strategies Group 
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