What can we do when our life lacks meaning, when we feel empty and increasingly bored? In fact, we may have everything we need to be happy, we may have a life filled with pleasures and passions, but it’s often not enough. We need meaning. So how do you find meaning in your life? Here are 5 powerful tips to help you do just that.

1 – Listen to boredom and depression to find meaning in life

Boredom, feelings of emptiness, even depression, are often signals that our lives lack meaning.

In other words, we’re missing something that nourishes us, that gives us meaning, and above all the desire to continue in a given direction.

The problem is that, all too often, we “cure” boredom with even more pleasures, even mindlessness.

What’s more, we either “cure” our depression with medication, or let ourselves sink into it by constantly looking for reasons why we’re not doing well.

To do this, we blame our parents, others, society, failures, disappointments…

And, without realizing it, we avoid a very important question: what is the meaning of my life?

So what if we stopped being afraid of boredom, emptiness and depression? What if, instead, we saw them as springboards to help us in our quest for meaning?

2 – Search, not wait

The problem is that too often, to find meaning in life, we look to the sky. We wait for the signs of life.

As if we need to be guided.

But that’s not how it works. The meaning of life is not something you wait for, it’s something you look for, and even more: it’s something you decide on.

Yes, you decide the meaning of your life.

And that’s good news, because it becomes a personal quest in which we feel like actors rather than puppets.

What’s more, we take the pressure off: the meaning of life is as simple as our lives are.

After all, there’s no need to save the world. We just have to decide what makes sense for us.

But how do we go about it?

3 – Forgetting yourself to find meaning in life

To find meaning in life, you have to forget yourself.

All too often, we make the mistake of believing that meaning lies within ourselves. But our quest for meaning, on the contrary, pushes us to look outwards, to act!

In other words, finding meaning in life is not so much an introspection as an outward impulse.

An impulse from the heart.

In fact, to find meaning in life is to find it in a cause or in a person outside ourselves.

It’s also finding it in a trial we’re going through: an illness, a handicap, a bereavement.

Yes, it’s also in suffering that we can find meaning in our lives, when we manage to live with it, alongside it.

In the end, the meaning of life is found when we transcend ourselves.

But, even more concretely, how do we go about finding meaning in life?

Ask yourself these questions: “What do I want to remember on my deathbed? What will make me happy at the end of my life?”

Maybe it will be having had children and loving them. Maybe it will be having helped people through a job or a passion. Or, maybe it will be to have inspired others by having transcended one of life’s sufferings or trials…

What will make you happy at the end of your life?

4 – Finding meaning in life means finding a reason to live

In the end, if you want to find meaning in your life, you have to find a reason to live, right here, right now.

The meaning of life is not necessarily grandiose. In other words, it may not bring you fame or riches. But it will bring you much more: a peaceful end to life.

So, instead of looking for the BIG meaning of your life, look for your reason for living.

Right now, what’s your reason for living?

Then put your heart into that reason, however simple it may be.

Because the meaning of life isn’t about accomplishing great things, it’s about putting your heart at the service of something you’ve decided to do, or even to offer.

Can you see the difference?

5 – Don’t lose yourself in the quest for pleasure

The main obstacle to living a meaningful life is our constant quest for pleasures.

In fact, we live in a society that pushes us to consume pleasures, all the time!

And what we don’t realize is that we’re dumbing ourselves down and wasting our time in the process.

Not to mention that we’re also hurting ourselves.

Because the more we fall into pleasures, the more we lose the meaning of our lives.

So, instead of asking yourself “what would please me?”, ask yourself “what has meaning for me?”.

This doesn’t mean never indulging in pleasures, but it does mean staying vigilant.

Because when you feel bored, empty or depressed, it’s not that your life lacks pleasure. In fact, it lacks meaning!

So refocus on the things that are really important to you, on your reason(s) for living.

To do this, remember to ask yourself this question: “What will make me happy at the end of my life?”

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How can you find meaning in your life? 5 tips to help you make sense of it all
Discover How can you achieve serenity even in times of crisis? 4 tips

I recommend this inspiring book:

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The author explores the concept of optimal experience, known as “flow”, where individuals are totally absorbed and engaged in an activity. Focusing on the psychological aspects of finding meaning in life’s immersive and rewarding experiences, the book offers insight into the pursuit of fulfillment and purpose.

Very intellectually stimulating, very true. Makes you understand how the brain works, and how we adopt behaviors that bring us closer to what we want and what makes us happy. Very well written, highly recommended.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself