Mythologist Joseph Campbell, creator of the iconic ‘Hero’s Journey’ template for storytelling, as used in films like Star Wars, The Matrix, Dances with Wolves, Avatar, Wild and Doctor Strange, was also famous for his mantra for a meaningful life: “Follow Your Bliss”.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where before there were only walls,” Campbell urged. He taught that if you truly follow what is most meaningful for you in your life (your bliss) – and make this your compass – rather than what you think you should do – it will bring you the greatest happiness, fulfillment and success.
However, many of us find it hard to truly follow our bliss, often due to fears or the expectations of others, or because moving towards it tends to bring up lots of challenges, hence Campbell later said what he’d really meant was “Follow Your Blisters”.
In this article for Campfire Convention, I share ten tips for following your bliss and finding the joy and fulfilment Campbell advocated.