13 things that prove your life has meaning

The One Short Quote That Will Unsettle You, Then Transform You

May 14, 2025

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One word: meaning. Everyone want’s it. Even if they don’t talk about it. That quiet pull more beyond work, expectations and daily routines. The truth is, there is meaning. But it’s not handed to us. We have to find it, define it, sometimes even fight for it. Like Viktor Frankl said, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” You don’t have to change the world to find purpose. It could be showing up for someone. Creating. Learning. Helping. Loving. Living with intention. These small acts stack up. They are the very definition of a meaningful life. Meaning isn’t out there somewhere. It’s right here. In what you choose to do next.

The search for meaning is deeply personal, but our experiences, beliefs, and values shape it. It is an exploration that takes us to the depths of our souls and invites us to contemplate the things that prove our lives have meaning.

While the quest for meaning may differ for everyone, certain aspects can serve as evidence of a meaningful existence. These subtle yet powerful indicators are scattered throughout our everyday experiences, reminding us that our existence is far from arbitrary.

1. Desire freedom above everything else

“We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are — that is the fact.” —Jean-Paul Sartre

If you want a meaningful life, you have to take responsibility for creating it. No one else can do it for you. Existentialism is a philosophy that puts this idea front and center. It says: you were not born with a fixed purpose. You’re free to choose your own path. And with that freedom comes responsibility.

You’re the one who decides what matters to you. You choose what kind of life you want to live. Every choice you make, every action you take, determines your future. That’s agency. That’s purpose. Nobody tells you what kind of friend to be, or what kind of work to care about. You decide. You can change directions. You can start again. You can say, this matters to me, and act on it.

As Viktor Frankl said, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” And meaning is something you build, not something you find lying around.

So, take that seriously.

2. Engage with existential questions

“Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.” ― Albert Camus

A meaningful life means asking hard questions.

Why am I here? What matters most? What do I really believe?

You’ve probably asked yourself these before — maybe late at night, maybe during a crisis. I have too. These questions aren’t just abstract. They are how we live.

When you stop and think about existence, you’re doing something important. You’re stepping back. You’re trying to see the bigger picture.

Clarity comes from struggle.

Philosophical reflection isn’t just for books or classrooms. It’s for when your job feels pointless. When someone you love dies. When you're stuck in a routine and wonder, “Is this it?” You don’t need all the answers. But you do need to ask.

When you ask, you grow. You shift. You see life differently. You begin to live it on purpose — not by default. That’s what meaning looks like.

So ask the hard questions. Sit with them. Let them change you. That’s not weakness — it’s wisdom.

Meaning doesn’t show up all at once. It’s built — one honest question at a time.

3. Transcend your ego

“Any moment of transcendence is a mortal blow to the ego. It begins the ego’s demise.” — Adyashanti

When you step outside your ego and feel part of something bigger, you’re on the path to a meaningful life. Some people experience it through quiet time alone. Or Other through a book that explains things better. That’s transcendence. It’s not about religion unless you want it to be. It’s about the time that remind you: I’m not the centre of everything.

I’ve found it in losing myself in a creative flow, in meaningful conversations. Those experiences pull us out of our own heads. They give life weight. Direction. Peace.

You don’t need to pursue big spiritual awakenings. Just build simple habits that help you connect. Spend time in nature. Read something that challenges you. Ask real questions. Find your flow. Reflect.

We all need that why. Transcendence helps us find it.

4. Learn from adversity

“In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” — Maya Angelou

Life doesn’t always make sense. Uncertainty is part of the deal.

But when you stop fighting that and start accepting it, things change. You begin to understand yourself better. You get a clearer view of what it means to be human. Hard times are lessons. When life knocks you down, it’s also handing you tools—tools to grow, to toughen up, to get wiser.

To build resilience and strength. You don’t learn that stuff when everything’s easy.

We don’t choose every struggle, but we do choose how we face them. Look at people who’ve lost jobs, gone through divorce, illness, or failure. Many come out stronger. Not because they liked the pain—but because they used it. They learned. They changed. You can do the same.

Life’s obstacles forces you to think, to adapt, to grow.

5. Live in alignment with your values

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” ― Henry David Thoreau

Living a meaningful life means living by your values. That’s it.

If what you do each day lines up with what you truly believe, life feels right. You feel honest. Whole. When I act against my values—say, agreeing to something I don’t believe in—I feel it right away. Tensions in life is the gap between your actions and your principles.

But when I say no to things that don’t sit right, or yes to things that matter, I feel aligned. Settled. That’s how I find meaning. Your values are your “why.” They help you decide how to spend your time, who to be with, what to say yes to, and when to walk away.

If you value health, you move your body and eat well.
If you value growth, you do the uncomfortable things.

You can’t fake this. You can’t outsource it. You’ve got to know what matters to you—and then back it up with action. That’s how you build a life that feels meaningful. Not in theory. In practice.

6. Appreciate life

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” — Confucius

I believe a good appreciation for beauty points to a meaningful life. You don’t need a big reason. Just notice what moves you. A song. A painting. Good work. Or art. Beauty pulls us out of autopilot. It reminds us we’re alive. When you pause to admire something, really admire it, you’re not pursuing, fixing, or proving anything.

You’re just present. That’s rare. And valuable.

There’s a reason people feel peace in nature or get chills from music. It’s not just emotion. It’s meaning. We touch something bigger than ourselves. Rainer Maria Rilke said, “The only journey is the one within.”

Beauty helps us take that journey.

You don’t need to be an artist to appreciate the beauty of life. Just pay attention. Wonder is everywhere. When you let it in, life feels less like a checklist and more like a gift. That’s the point: beauty makes you feel. And feeling better without distraction or agenda is one of the clearest signs you’re really here.

7. Seek wisdom and knowledge

“Unless we learn to know ourselves, we run the danger of destroying ourselves.” ― Ja A. Jahannes

A meaningful life can start with curiosity. You want to know more. You want to understand why things are the way they are. That drive matters.

Pursuing truth and wisdom adds real meaning to life. It’s not just about reading books or collecting facts. It’s about seeing the world more clearly and living better because of it. When you understand something, you handle it better. A tough conversation. A setback. A big decision. Knowledge helps. So does critical thinking. You ask better questions. You make smarter choices.

Like Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That doesn’t mean you need a philosophy degree. It just means you keep learning. You stay curious. You think for yourself.

Meaning can be listening more. Asking why. Learning how things work instead of assuming. Small habits, big impact. When you grow, you help others grow. You see new angles. You connect dots others miss. That’s how you contribute—not just to your life, but to others’ too.

So, keep learning. Stay open.

A wiser you is a better you.

8. Accept the impermanence of life

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” ― Alan Watts

To find meaning, you have to face a simple truth: everything ends.

Life moves in cycles—birth, growth, decay, and death. Nothing stays the same. When you accept that, you start to appreciate how short and precious life really is.

Knowing that everything fades gives life urgency. It reminds you not to waste time. Not to take moments for granted.

I try to live like that. Not in fear of losing things—but in awareness that they’re temporary. A good life, a conversation, even pain—it all passes. So I show up for it. I try to be present. The more I accept impermanence, the more alive I feel. I love harder. I let go faster.

When you stop holding to things that don’t last (money, status, even your own image) you start looking for what does. Love. Truth. Kindness. Real connection. These outlast the temporary.

The best moments in life are meaningful because they end. If they lasted forever, we’d stop noticing them. Buddha said, “Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”

That’s what I try to do. Let go of what fades. Hold on to what matters.

Live now. Fully. Before it passes.

9. Reflect on your mortality

“If I take death into my life, acknowledge it, and face it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life — and only then will I be free to become myself.” — Martin Heidegger

Thinking about our mortality can be a powerful way to find meaning in life. When we realize that our time is limited, we start to focus on what really matters. It helps us prioritise what’s important and use our time wisely.

If you’re struggling to find meaning, try contemplating your mortality. It’s not easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. For example, when we think about how short life is, we often realize we’ve been spending too much time on things that don’t bring us joy or fulfillment. Instead, we can focus on relationships, experiences, and goals that truly matter.

When I look back at my own life, I’ve noticed how thinking about time running out motivates me to act. It pushes me to make decisions that align with my values and reminds me to not waste a single moment.

If you're feeling lost or unsure of your path, take a moment to reflect on your own mortality. It could help you find the clarity you need to live a more intentional life.

10. Nurture meaningful relationships

“Eighty percent of life’s satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships.” — Brian Tracy

Meaning comes from our connections with others.

The bonds we build, the love we share, and the impact we have on each other’s lives create purpose. It's in these relationships where we truly find meaning—by supporting, nurturing, and lifting each other up.

Take your friendships, for example. When you help a friend through a tough time, you find purpose. That support deepens the meaning in your life. The same goes for family or a mentor. You influence their lives and they contribute to yours. This mutual exchange creates a lasting sense of fulfilment.

The people around us are essential to finding meaning. They help us grow, stay grounded, and discover our purpose. Without these bonds, we lose a key source of fulfillment. Simple acts of kindness, like listening to someone’s problem or sharing an experience, remind us how valuable these connections are.

11. Invest in your growth and self-actualisation

“Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.” — Rumi

When we keep growing and learning, we’re more likely to find our purpose and feel fulfilled. We also have a better chance of making a positive impact.

Growth doesn’t just happen. You can make it happen. Read books. Take a class. Travel. Meet new people. Try new things. Set goals and work toward them. Every time you push yourself, you get closer to understanding what truly matters to you.

For example, traveling can open your eyes to different ways of life. It’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about learning what resonates with you. Or, take a class on something you’ve always wanted to know. It doesn’t just teach you a new skill—it can spark new passions.

When you actively work on improving yourself, you start finding purpose. It's a practical, everyday effort. You can’t expect change to come without action. So, get moving, set goals, and work towards them. It all builds toward something meaningful.

12. Contribute to the well-being of others

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” — Albert Schweitzer

A meaningful life often involves making a positive difference in the lives of others. Acts of kindness, compassion, and service allow us to transcend self-interest and contribute to the greater good.

When we help others, we are not only making a difference in their lives, but we are also making a difference in our own.

Helping others can give us a sense of purpose and fulfilment, and it can make us feel good about ourselves.

Every small gesture can make a big difference in your life.

13. Make self-expression a goal

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln

Living true to yourself is how you create a meaningful life. When you show up as you, fully and honestly, you add something real to the world. That means saying what you think. Feeling what you feel. Creating what you’re drawn to create. Not to impress, but to express. Curiosity matters. Follow it. That’s where your ideas live. That’s where your voice gets stronger.

Sharing your point of view—especially when it’s not popular—takes guts. But that’s how people connect. That’s how you stand out. Being open isn’t weakness. Vulnerability is strength. It’s human. People remember it. Think of someone you admire. Odds are, they’re not perfect. They’re just real.

That’s what makes them unforgettable.

So, live honestly. Speak clearly. Create boldly. Be you. It’s a worthy goal.

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Until Next Week,

Be Well.

Thomas

“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.”— Vernon Howard