

Like millions of people out there, I’ve been looking for “the thing” that will give a deeper sense of purpose to my life. Pause to find meaning in life YouTube/Society for Personality and Social PsychologyĪuthor Robert Byrne says that “the purpose of life is a life of purpose”. If you feel you’re overthinking it, pause, and take a moment to be mindful. This will only cause stress, and can block your ability to enjoy the little things that give meaning to life.
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Then think about how to bring those values into your everyday life. Think about the meaningful moments you’ve experienced, and ask yourself what values can be learnt from them. Take time to reflect on what being human means according to your experience so far. You don’t need to take a sabbatical or spend weeks in a meditation retreat. Indeed, research by University of Missouri psychologist Laura King suggests the answer is already within ourselves (watch her below). Seven practical ideas to find meaning in lifeįinding meaning doesn’t have to involve grand gestures. And the comparison is unfair, because maybe there isn’t a “big” purpose for us, but rather a sense of purpose. After all, finding meaning is a personal quest. But they’re the exception and comparing ourselves to them can be frustrating. There are people who seem to have known what their life purpose was from the start. Focusing on the ones that matter can bring purpose to our lives.īut don’t compare yourself to others. Some of the things we do matter, others aren’t really important. So, when wondering how to find meaning in life, it’s important to understand that meaning doesn’t come from having or doing more things. Searching for meaning is one of life's big challenges You can have all your basic needs covered, even some extra luxuries, and still wonder what are you here for.

Researchers found that happiness comes from meeting our needs, but the same can’t be said of purpose. So why are so many people unhappy? For starters, finding happiness and finding meaning are related but not the same thing. Nowadays we have many tools and resources to live happier lives. How to find meaning in life: avoid these traps You don’t need to take a sabbatical or spend weeks in a meditation retreat. Likewise, it doesn't have to involve grand gestures. In fact, how to find meaning in life is probably one of the oldest questions out there – and I'd wager that while many people discover the answer, just as many others don't! But discovering that meaning or purpose doesn’t always have to be the challenge that we often make it. RELATED: Values and motivation – essential for meaning in life So, as you can see, lots of people sense that something is missing in their lives. Another survey claims that more than half of UK workers are unhappy in their current jobs and feel there could be better off pursuing another career. A recent UK poll revealed that a staggering 90 per cent of people aged between 16 and 29 thought their lives had no purpose.

We’re not alone in this struggle to uncover meaning and purpose in our lives. Suddenly, how to find meaning in life has taken centre stage in many of our worlds. Leaving the negatives aside, we both agreed that we’re now a lot more focused on the things that matter. The other day I was talking to a childhood friend about how much things have changed over the past few months.

From lifelong learning to developing your relationships, here are seven strategies on how to find meaning in your life. Many of us struggle to find purpose or meaning in our lives, but as Dee Marques explains, it doesn't have to be such a challenge.
