How to make life meaningful

9:28 PM confidence , depression , fulfillment , meaning , motivation , positive thoughts , real life , reason , self , why 0 Comments

Many people struggle with finding purpose in their lives whether it’s in their career, in their relationships, or in their family life. "What's the point?" and “What does it all mean?” are questions that we often ask ourselves that seem to have no answers. But perhaps, we've been asking the wrong questions this whole time. Instead of asking, "what's the meaning of life?" we should be asking, "how can I make my life meaningful?".

In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl quotes Nietzsche, “He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how'.” During WWII, Frankl was a prisoner in four different Nazi concentration camps. His experience was excruciating – he suffered both physically and emotionally, his family died, and he watched many people around him suffer and perish. Through these experiences, Frankl realized that,

Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self-determining. Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment.

It is up to us to figure out what work, what activities, and what relationships give meaning to our lives. This is great news as it means the power lies within us and not in the control of external forces.

Homework: Search the past for clues to finding meaning

Make note of an event or relationship where you felt truly alive. It can be recent or from the distant past. Then try to analyse why. Answer the "Why" honestly - it doesn't have to be 'worthy' answer. Once you have identified the reason, ask why you enjoyed that. For example,

When did I last feel truly alive? When I was playing soccer
Why? Because I like seeing my friends
Why? Because I enjoy open and safe opportunities to chat with friends
Why? Because I am a social person, and like to find out what makes people tick.

From this exercise, the person could conclude that they find meaning from talking to people about what really matters to them. So go ahead and discover the core of where you find meaning.

Tell us about your why's in the comments below!