The meaning(s) of life
There are moments in life when we all wonder: What gives meaning to life? Over the years, I’ve realized that meaning is not something we magically “find”. In fact, it is something we choose to build and rebuild little by little through our choices, relationships, and values.
The search for meaning is inherent to human beings. However, many of us, instead of focusing on what could bring us deeper meaning, get distracted by superficial sources of gratification, such as substances, TV marathons, endless scrolling on social media—activities that are easier to access and therefore even more tempting. It is also true that for many people, it can feel overwhelming to live in a world full of expectations, where success is measured by achievements, recognition, and other external standards. But bringing meaning to life does not necessarily come from meeting external expectations. It emerges from aligning our daily actions with what matters most to us, whether that is kindness, creativity, learning, or community.
To better understand this, we need to go back to the basics: what do we mean by “meaning”? As researchers like Reker and Wong suggest, I like to think about meaning through a three-dimensional model consisting of coherence, purpose, and significance. Coherence refers to how we make sense of our lives, purpose relates to the goals we set for it, and significance is the sense that our life is worth living and has inherent value. Together, these components result in feelings of meaningfulness.
But what can we actually do to find or nurture our meaning? It is important to understand that there is not a single answer to this question. Finding meaning is a personal journey. What gives meaning to my life may not be the same for yours. However, this does not mean that there aren’t practices and approaches that can help us nurture or discover our sense of meaning. For example:
- Ground yourself in your personal values: Reflect on what truly matters to you, and let those values shape your decisions. Living in coherence with them can bring a deep sense of alignment.
- Foster passion and self-transcendent experiences: Explore activities that make you feel alive and that connect you with something beyond yourself, whether it’s art, spirituality, or service.
- Enhance your relationships: Seek out and foster authentic connections. Make sure to nurture the bonds that make you feel like you belong. Meaning grows in spaces of trust and mutual care.
- Be conscious of your environment: Notice the world around you: nature, culture, community. Paying attention and being present help us feel part of a bigger picture.
- Engage with your community: Invest time and energy in contributing to causes or groups you care about. Giving back can create a profound sense of significance.
Meaning, then, is not a final destination but an ongoing journey. It is about the daily choice to live authentically, to care for ourselves and others, and to align our actions with what we believe in. Maybe the real question is not “what is the meaning of life” but rather “how do I want to give meaning to my life today?”
“What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.”
– Viktor Frankl in “Man’s Search for Meaning”
Article by Arly Carrillo, a Peruvian LALíder.
