There’s more to life than just going to work, eating dinner, maintaining your home, and watching TV. Even people that are obsessed with their careers can feel like their life is flat and lacks real meaning.
You might be lucky enough to find true meaning from your work, but most of us desire greater fulfillment.
We’re all searching for some kind of meaning from life.
But, how do you find it?
Use these tips to find greater meaning in your day-to-day life:
1. Volunteer. Put your attention on others, and you’ll feel better overall. It feels good to help other people, to make a difference in someone else’s life, and your life will feel more meaningful as a result.
2. Live by your values. When you ignore your values, it’s easy for your life to get off track. You quickly find yourself living a life that doesn’t fulfill you. List your values and make your decisions based on your values.
3. Spend more time with others. It’s not that you can’t have a meaningful life without other people, but it’s less likely. We’re programmed to be part of a community. It wasn’t that long ago that it was impossible for a human to survive on his own. People can add meaning to life.
4. Strip away the excess. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things that don’t matter. Go through your house and get rid of everything except the things you need or love. Do the same with your social circle and activities. If you don’t need it or love it, let it go.
5. What brings you joy? The more time you spend on things that bring you joy, the more meaningful your life will feel to you. Make a list of the things that you enjoy and schedule more of those activities into your life.
6. Be part of something that is bigger than yourself. What do you think is really important? Saving the whales? The environment? Helping needy children? Homelessness? Find a cause that you find highly meaningful and give it your all.
7. Be grateful. Nothing feels quite like gratefulness. It’s a warm, calming feeling. Spend a few minutes each day and make a list of everything that makes you feel grateful. Try to identify at least one new thing each day.
8. Consider all the people that benefit from your existence. There are a lot of people that might depend on you.
● The customers that your business serves
● The people in your family, especially your spouse/partner and children
● Your aging parents
● Your coworkers
● Your friends
● These are just a few of the people that need you each day. Make a list of all the people that depend on you.
Believing that your life has meaning has real implications on your physical and mental health.
Multiple studies on those over 65 years of age have shown that those who believe their life has meaning score better on mental and physical health questionnaires. They also show higher cognitive function.
As you age, it becomes increasingly important to your wellbeing that you live a life with purpose.
You don’t have to save the world to find deeper meaning in your life. Notice the contributions that you’re already making. Create a life that you find meaningful and it will also bring you more joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
