Learn how life crafting apps help you clarify your core values, uncover your purpose, and build a step-by-step roadmap to align your personal and professional goals. Backed by psychological research, these tools help reduce stress, improve motivation, and keep you accountable.
If you're looking to discover your life purpose and transform that vision into daily action, life crafting apps offer a science-based, practical solution. These digital tools combine proven psychology with user-friendly features to clarify your values, define goals, track progress, and stay accountable over time.
In this blog, we'll explore how life crafting apps work, how they help with purpose discovery, and which ones stand out. We’ll also show how apps like Serenity offer a step-by-step, research-backed approach to designing a more meaningful and purpose-driven life.
What Is a Life Crafting App and How Does It Work?
A life crafting app is a digital tool designed to help you reflect on your values, define meaningful goals, and develop a structured plan to realize those goals in your personal or professional life.
Key Features of Life Crafting Apps:
- guided exercises to explore core values and passions
- goal visualization and mapping tools
- step-by-step planning frameworks
- habit tracking and daily accountability check-ins
- integration of cognitive-behavioral and motivational science
According to Schippers & Ziegler (2019), life crafting is a structured process involving reflection, expressing future ideals, goal setting, and planning—all components that successful life crafting apps integrate into their design.¹
How Can a Life Crafting App Help Me Discover My Life Purpose?
Life crafting apps help you identify your life purpose by guiding you through scientifically backed reflection exercises.
Here's how they do it:
- Help you clarify values through proven writing interventions
- Prompt you to articulate your “ideal future self”
- Encourage setting long-term intrinsic goals, not just external rewards
- Use visualization techniques to boost commitment and emotional engagement
In one study, participants who completed life crafting exercises reported an increased sense of purpose and better academic and career performance.¹
“Purpose is not something you find. It’s something you create through deliberate goal-setting based on your values and identity.” — Prof. Michaéla Schippers
Can These Apps Guide Me in Creating a Step-by-Step Plan?
Yes, one of the main benefits of life crafting apps is that they transform big, vague goals into manageable steps.
Apps like Serenity offer:
- Smart breakdowns of long-term objectives into weekly or daily action items
- Timeline suggestions based on your input and goals
- Prioritization tools to focus on high-impact habits
- Built-in checklists and progress flags
In summary, life crafting apps act as personal coaches, helping you move from goal-setting to detailed execution without overwhelm.
How Do Life Crafting Apps Keep Me Accountable Over Time?
If you’re wondering how to stay accountable to your goals, a great strategy is to use external supports. For example, Serenity (our app) acts like a chat-based accountability partner, providing daily check-ins, motivation nudges, and behavior tracking to keep you on course.
Main accountability features:
- Daily and weekly reviews
- Habit streak tracking
- Progress visual dashboards
- Notifications when falling off course
- AI-powered encouragement or coaching nudges
What Are the Best Life Crafting Apps Available Today?
While the best app depends on your style and goals, here's a comparison of popular life crafting tools:
| App | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Serenity | Custom plans, accountability, purpose design | Holistic life goal alignment |
| LifeCraft | Linear life design with journaling | Reflective users |
| Goalify | Task habit tracking with motivational feeds | Productivity focused users |
| Mindvalley | Courses with purpose and self-discovery | Learn-through-video users |
Serenity stands out for integrating goal setting, values reflection, and agile planning in one platform.
Can I Customize My Goals and Values Within a Life Crafting App?
Yes, customization is a core feature of top-tier life crafting apps. You can:
- Define your own values and rank their importance
- Set personalized goals in any domain (health, relationships, business, etc.)
- Choose timeframes and methods (daily, weekly, or project-based)
- Adjust your vision as goals evolve without losing track
Apps like Serenity allow total flexibility while offering structured guidance so you’re never lost.
Is a Life Crafting App Suitable for Both Personal and Professional Goals?
Absolutely. In fact, blending both areas helps increase motivation and coherence.
Use cases include:
- Personal: Improving health, relationships, or spiritual fulfillment
- Professional: Career planning, skill growth, leadership development
The 2019 paper emphasized that expressing and planning for one’s ideal future helps bridge the personal/professional divide.¹ Crafting a life aligned with values allows both arenas to support each other.
How Do These Apps Help Clarify Values and Align Them with Life Goals?
The heart of life crafting lies in connecting who you are (your values) with what you do (your goals).
Most apps ask:
- What do you care about deeply?
- What would success look like if aligned with these values?
- How can small daily actions reflect those values?
According to Schippers & Ziegler, value clarification is the first and most crucial step that anchors the entire life crafting journey.¹
“When students wrote about their core values and future ideal life, they experienced increased motivation, performance, and mental well-being.”¹
What Kind of Progress Tracking or Daily Check-Ins Do Life Crafting Apps Offer?
Life crafting apps include progress tools to ensure consistent engagement.
Common tracking features:
- Mood journals + habit logs
- Goal percent completion meters
- Daily, weekly, and monthly reviews
- Reminders for values alignment
- Insight cards or AI-generated nudges (in apps like Serenity)
This structured reflection allows users to spot what’s working, what’s misaligned, and where to adapt.
Are Life Crafting Apps Backed by Psychological Research or Coaching Methodologies?
Yes. Life crafting is rooted in:
- Positive psychology
- Motivational Interviewing
- Future Time Perspective strategy
- Value affirmation interventions
Schippers et al.² showed that a structured life crafting approach can increase purpose, reduce academic procrastination, and lead to meaningful life changes.
They're not just inspirational—they’re transformational, validated, and evidence-based.
Can Using a Life Crafting App Reduce Stress and Decision Fatigue Related to Life Direction?
Yes—by creating clarity and structured decision paths, life crafting reduces overwhelm.
According to the paper’s findings, choosing a clear purpose lowers procrastination and improves mental well-being. Instead of constantly questioning your next step, your app keeps you aligned with your vision.
In summary:
- Defined values reduce decision friction
- Long-term clarity boosts sustained motivation
- Daily actions prevent analysis paralysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best way to achieve long-term goals?
Break them into small milestones and use tools like Serenity that offer step-by-step planning and daily nudges to stay on track.
Are life crafting apps only for career-driven people?
No. They apply to any area of life—personal growth, health, spirituality, or relationships.
How often should I check in with the app?
Daily review for micro goals, and weekly reflection for the big picture is ideal.
Can I use life crafting apps with a coach or therapist?
Absolutely. Many therapists now integrate these tools into coaching practices for added structure.
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References
-
Schippers, M. C., & Ziegler, N. (2019). Life crafting as a way to find purpose and meaning in life. Frontiers in Psychology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6923189/
-
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. American Psychologist.
Author Bios
- Dr. Michaéla C. Schippers — Professor of Behavior and Performance Management at Erasmus University. Specialist in goal-setting, positive psychology, and life crafting interventions.
- Dr. Niklas Ziegler — Educational psychologist focusing on motivation, purpose development, and reflective practices in coaching settings.
Need clarity, structure, and motivation in your life path? Start crafting your purpose through Serenity today — your values-based planning partner in your pocket.