Anchor your relationship in purpose to fuel lasting happiness

When I first met my wife, I was teaching Vedic wisdom while she studied to become an Ayurvedic chef. We both pursued deep callings—hers in nourishing food, mine in guiding hearts. Early on, dinner felt rushed, our passions collided, and neither of us felt supported. It took a frank conversation over cold tea to realize that purpose had to take center stage if our partnership was to flourish.

We sat down under a banyan tree and listed our dharmas: hers was to feed bodies with mindful nutrition; mine was to plant ancient wisdom in modern minds. We charted our weekly routines: she spent prep hours testing recipes, I spent late nights editing scripts. We decided to swap Sundays—she would devote it to recipe research, while I claimed Saturday mornings to produce videos. Then she’d help me revise my scripts before dinner.

That simple rearrangement returned joy to our relationship. She felt respected and energized; I felt my work mattered at home too. Our shared schedule evolved into a dance: she’d call me over to taste a new curry, while I’d remind her of the three most impactful words for a workshop.

Research on life satisfaction shows that people who prioritize meaningful activities report greater well-being than those focused only on leisure. By placing dharma first and weaving it into our household rhythm, my wife and I transformed our love life into a shared sanctuary of purpose, creativity, and mutual support.

Begin by defining your own dharma: list what you love, your strengths, and who might benefit. Next, audit your weekly schedule to see where you can carve out purposeful time—whether that’s reading, volunteering, or a side project. Then, share this plan with your partner, proposing small swaps or support mechanisms that let you both devote energy to your callings. Check in monthly to celebrate wins and adjust your routine, keeping your individual purposes alive and your relationship thriving.