The question about the nature of existence and the meaning of life, which arises at different stages of human life—from childhood to adulthood—in various forms, stems from the fact that humans need meaning and purpose to continue living.
Have you ever reached a goal you worked hard for, only to find that the expected happiness was missing? Instead, you feel a kind of confusion and ask yourself: "So what now? What was all this effort for? Where am I trying to go in the end?"
Yes! You are thinking about the meaning of life!
The question of existence and the meaning of life, which appears in different ways at various stages of life, arises because humans inherently seek meaning and purpose. Humans naturally strive for goals, seeking an ultimate purpose that explains why various events occur. As the great German philosopher Nietzsche said, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."
The purpose of life can differ for each individual, influenced by various factors such as culture, beliefs, environment, and financial conditions.
A person passionate about music may find the meaning of life in performing live on stage.
A social worker may see their purpose in helping those in need.
For a businessman, the goal of life might be maximizing profit.
However, most goals are like a double-edged sword. Goals can be motivating and beneficial, yet by themselves, they may feel empty. What gives a goal meaning is what lies behind it—it is the deeper reasons that bring long-term satisfaction and happiness.
For example, having a better job alone is not significant, but when it carries deeper meaning—such as providing for a family or making a societal impact—it transforms into something profound. If the reasons behind a goal are shallow or short-term, they will eventually leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
What is the most important, vital, and meaningful thing to you?
What makes you feel the most proud?
How would you like to be remembered on your tombstone?
What do you think your mission in life is?
On what basis did you choose your career?
What does a perfect day look like to you?
When do you feel truly loved by others?
What motivates you to wake up every morning?
One of the key tools for finding meaning in life is knowing oneself.
If you are searching for meaning, you should know that understanding the world starts with understanding yourself. The more aware you are of your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and values, the better foundation you will have for your life.
People who find meaning in life are those who understand their values, adhere to them, and take responsibility for them. They experience less instability and remain steadfast on their path.
What truly makes you happy in life?
Do you enjoy traveling, helping others, spending time with family, or something else?
Are you satisfied with your job?
The truth is that when you are truly happy in life, you will find the right purpose that makes your daily life more meaningful.
For example, if helping others brings you joy, then incorporate that into your daily life. Listen to your intuition, because it represents your true self, which you can control with self-awareness.
Real life satisfaction and meaning are deeply connected.
Meaningful positive experiences can be found in different areas, but some of the most impactful include:
Falling in love
The birth of a child
Immersing yourself in a new culture or way of life
Making a life-changing decision for the first time
Expressing deep emotions to someone or receiving such emotions
Leaving something that makes you unhappy
Enjoying an unexpected moment of solitude
While we all seek to maximize positive experiences and avoid negative ones, it is often during difficult, stressful, and challenging times that we discover our true strengths and weaknesses. These moments teach us how to face adversity and grow.
Some major life challenges include:
Losing a loved one
A failed relationship
Losing a job
Natural disasters like floods
Being a victim of crime
Experiencing trauma (e.g., soldiers in war or witnesses of severe violence)
A cancer diagnosis or a debilitating illness
Your comfort zone is a place where you live without fear—fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of losing control.
Staying in this zone for too long can lead to monotony, boredom, and restlessness. However, when you face your fears, you become more aware of your abilities, and life presents you with more opportunities to grow and overcome challenges.
Life's difficulties can sometimes make you indifferent and emotionally numb, making you feel like you are enduring pointless suffering. In these moments, allow your curiosity to flourish and look beyond the immediate situation.
Keeping curiosity alive means connecting the dots in your life’s journey and finding meaning in them. No two people, even with similar experiences, perceive life the same way—meaning is a deeply personal and internal journey.
All of life’s experiences are opportunities to discover our true potential.
Ultimately, we alone are the creators of our own personal meaning. While external factors influence us, it is up to us to find even the smallest reasons for hope and perseverance, or to drown in darkness without seeing a way out.
Let’s end this discussion with a heartwarming movie recommendation.
If you’re an adult who enjoys animation, you’ve probably seen Soul (2020).
It tells the story of Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher whose biggest dream is to perform live on stage. Just when he gets the opportunity, death comes knocking. But don’t worry! He gets a second chance to fulfill his dreams and, along the way, rediscovers the meaning of life.
In one scene, Joe’s mother urges him to quit music and find a stable job with good income and insurance. However, Joe speaks passionately about his dream, refusing to live a meaningless life...
Ultimately, the meaning of life is something only you can define. It is a journey of self-discovery, challenges, and growth, where you create your own purpose and path.
