MENTAL HEALTH

Day 22

Finding Meaning and Purpose

Why is Meaning and Purpose Important?

Studies show that those with a purpose live longer, sleep better and have a more robust immune system, lower stress levels and better cognitive function. University of Michigan professor, Victor Strecher, author of Life on Purpose, had to say goodbye far too early to his daughter Julia. She died at age 19 from a rare form of heart failure. The enormity of his grief led him to immerse himself in the study of what makes life worth living. His answer? A sense of purpose. Here’s something he wrote that encapsulates what he discovered in his research:

"So let’s imagine a drug that was shown to add years to your life; reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke; cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by more than half; help you relax during the day and sleep better at night; double your chances of staying drug- and alcohol-free after treatment; activate your natural killer cells; diminish your inflammatory cells; increase your good cholesterol; and repair your DNA. What if this imaginary drug reduced hospital stays so much that it put a dent in the national health-care crisis? Oh, and as a bonus, gave you better sex? The pharmaceutical company who made the drug would be worth billions. The inventors of the drug would receive Nobel Prizes and have institutes named for them! But it’s not a drug. It’s purpose. And it’s free."

What Does ‘Finding Meaning and Purpose’ Really Mean?

Finding meaning involves discovering what resonates deeply with you and being clear about what brings a sense of significance and importance to your life experiences. It’s all about those emotional and spiritual connections that make life feel more rewarding and complete, kind of like adding colour and depth to the everyday canvas of your life so it’s not just one big blob of beige.

Having a sense of meaning is about understanding the ‘why’ behind your existence and the events in your life, helping to provide you with a sense of connection and relevance to the larger world around you.

In general terms, finding meaning is a bit like going on a treasure hunt like Indiana Jones… but instead of searching for gold coins or ancient artefacts, you’re on the lookout for something much more personal and profound: a sense of understanding about the significance of your life and what you’re supposed to do with it. It’s about discovering what makes you feel fulfilled and connected, and what keeps you feeling motivated.

Now, in mental health terms, ‘finding meaning’ goes a bit deeper. It’s not just about having a hobby or a favourite TV show to look forward to (although those certainly add some spice to your life). Finding meaning is about understanding your place in the world, recognising what you contribute, and feeling connected to something larger than yourself. It’s like being part of a self-aware jigsaw puzzle; even though you may be just one piece, you understand that you’re essential to completing the whole picture.

When you have a sense of meaning in your life, it’s like having an internal compass that can guide you through both sunny and stormy weather. It helps in making sense of life’s ups and downs, and it can be a buffer against the stresses and strains of daily living. Basically, it’s not just about finding joy in the journey (which I definitely encourage you to do!) but it’s also about understanding why the journey matters in the first place.

So, in a nutshell, finding meaning is about discovering your ‘why’ — the reasons that make all the ‘whats’ and ‘hows’ of life worth tackling. Every good story needs to be anchored in a crystal-clear knowledge of why things are happening in the first place, so having a clear sense of meaning helps you to be more focused on making tangible progress that feels much more aligned with who you really are. It’s about finding your own personal narrative in the grand storybook of life. And who doesn’t love a good story, right?!

So let’s talk about the differences between ‘finding meaning’ and ‘finding purpose.’ They’re closely intertwined, yet they have their own distinct nuances, like two branches of the same tree growing in slightly different directions.

‘Finding meaning’ is about understanding and making sense of your life as it is. It’s about discovering what resonates with you emotionally and spiritually. When you find meaning, you’re essentially figuring out the ‘why’ behind your experiences and your existence so that you can incorporate it into your decision-making and general direction-setting. It’s a subjective perception that makes life feel more significant. For instance, someone might find meaning in their role as a parent, the beauty of nature, or their ability to overcome adversity. It’s like looking at a vast, starry sky and feeling a sense of wonder and connection to something larger than yourself.

On the other hand, finding purpose is more action-oriented. It’s about identifying a clear aim or goal that drives you forward. Purpose is your sense of direction, the role you feel you’re meant to play in life, whether it’s a profession, a passion, or a cause you’re dedicated to. It’s like having a compass pointing you towards a specific path, motivating your actions and decisions. For example, a person might find purpose in pursuing a career in counselling, aiming to improve mental health awareness, or striving to make a positive impact in their community.

So, in essence, whereas meaning is about comprehension and emotional connection to your life and the world around you, purpose is about intention and direction in your actions. Both are essential to a fulfilling life, like two sides of the same coin. One gives you the reasons to cherish and value your life, and the other provides the motivation to actively engage with it and shape it in a way that reflects your values and passions.

Why Finding Meaning and Purpose Matters

Finding meaning matters for a whole host of reasons… almost as many as there are ex-stars of reality television shows hoping for just one more shot at fame (and good luck to them; I mean, hey, someone’s got to go on I’m A Celebrity).

Anyway, I think the main thing I want to highlight here is that having a sense of meaning in your life gives you a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning, instead of just going through the motions. Maybe you don’t quite know what that ‘meaning’ is just yet, and that’s OK; the search for meaning is meaningful in and of itself!

Having a sense of meaning in life is like having some sort of superfood for your mental health, except you feel it instead of eating it. It’s linked to better mood, lower levels of stress, and even a greater sense of overall wellbeing. Think of it as being like a psychological immune booster, helping you to fend off the common colds of the mind so that you feel less of the ‘icks’ and more of the ‘yums’. That’s the weirdest analogy ever!

Finding meaning is also a resilience builder. Life can sometimes throw a few obstacles and hurdles our way, and having a strong sense of meaning helps you to deal with them and keep moving forward in spite of challenges and setbacks.

Finding meaning also gives you a sense of direction and purpose. It’s like having your own internal GPS, guiding you through life’s twists and turns. When you know what matters to you, decision-making becomes easier, and you’re more likely to feel satisfied with the choices you make.

Meaning also often involves feeling connected to something bigger than yourself, whether that’s a community, a set of values, or a greater cause, and it’s this sense of connection that can play a huge role in combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation, making the world seem a bit friendlier and more welcoming.

When you find meaning in what you do, whether it’s your job, hobbies, or relationships, it fuels your motivation. It’s like having a personal cheer squad in your head, encouraging you to engage with life and pursue goals that are important to you.

Ultimately, finding meaning can enhance the overall quality of your life. It’s not just about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years. You’re more likely to enjoy your days, feel fulfilled, and have a sense of contentment when you focus on the search for meaning throughout your life, both today and in the future as you grow and develop even further. Without it, life can feel a bit like a cake without icing — still edible, but not quite as satisfying and definitely a lot drier. And, I mean, honestly, who wants dry, chewy life cake?! If you’re going to have cake, have a proper cake that makes you feel alive! So, how do you do that?

How to Find Greater Meaning and Purpose in Your Life

First, start with simplicity — OK, we could very easily over-engineer this topic but I’m not having any of that, because this podcast is all about making mental health simple… and, quite frankly, the simplest choices are usually the most effective. So start by taking some time to reflect on these questions: (1) What makes your heart sing? and (2) What makes your heart sink? So, by that I mean to consider the things that really bring you joy and fulfilment, as well as the things that drive you up the wall and maybe even make you want to eat your own hair. Both of those are strong emotions to feel, and so by starting off with being clear on the stuff we feel strongly about it can help us to better understand who we are and who we are not, as well as who we want to be and who we don’t want to be. Then, what do you do with that information? Well, that leads to my next point which is…

Look at how you can apply your reflections practically — OK, so this is as straightforward as considering how you can do more of the stuff that makes your heart sing and less of the stuff that makes your heart sink. Now, you’ll notice that I said ‘straightforward’ and not ‘easy’… and there’s a very good reason for that! None of this stuff is simple or easy to execute, because it requires you to make some really clear and tough decisions about your life as it is versus how you want it to be, and then what you’re going to need to do and change in order to get from your current reality to where you want to be. ‘Simplicity’ does not mean ‘simple’ or ‘easy’; it simply means you minimise the amount of complication and drama, and focus the bulk of your energy on the things that matter the most.

Reflect on your passions and values — take a bit of quiet time to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are the things that you’re deeply passionate about? What values do you hold close to your heart? This self-reflection is crucial because it helps you to identify what’s truly important in your life, setting the stage for a more meaningful existence. You can do this by writing down your thoughts in a journal, meditating, or even going for a thoughtful walk.

Set meaningful goals — so, once you have a clearer idea of your passions and values, now it’s time to set goals that align with them. For example, if you value community, you might set a goal to volunteer regularly. This gives you tangible steps to integrate your values into your daily life so can spend your time in a more meaningful way. You can start small and gradually build up, ensuring your goals are achievable and directly connected to what makes you feel fulfilled.

Embrace new experiences — be open to trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone. This broadens your horizons and can help you to discover new passions and interests that add greater meaning to your life. New experiences challenge you to grow and learn, often leading to unexpected insights about what brings joy and fulfilment into your life. You can start by trying out a new hobby, travelling to a new place, or even learning a new skill.

Develop a growth mindset — and by that I mean to embrace the belief that you can grow and learn through challenges. This mindset is enormously beneficial for your mental health and wellbeing because it turns obstacles into opportunities for personal development, adding depth and resilience to your life. You can learn to cultivate this mindset by tackling new challenges, learning from failures, and choosing to view setbacks as chances to improve (by looking for the lesson in the setback and then actively applying it).

Nurture your creativity — engaging in creative activities allows you to express yourself, and it can be a source of deep satisfaction which gives you an outlet for self-expression and even a sense of achievement. Try painting, writing, gardening, or any other creative pursuit that appeals to you.

Create balance in your life — which means a healthy balance between work, leisure, relationships, and personal goals. This is crucial because it ensures that no single aspect of your life dominates at the expense of others, leading to a much more rounded and fulfilling life. You can achieve this by setting boundaries, prioritising tasks, and making time for different areas of your life.

Cultivate healthy relationships — meaning often comes from our connections with others, so invest time in building and maintaining strong and positive relationships. This works wonders because it provides a sense of belonging and shared experiences, which are key components of a meaningful life. You can do this by reaching out to friends and family regularly, joining groups or clubs that interest you, or even striking up conversations with new people. And you’ll also find it helpful to remove negative or unhealthy relationships from your life, so you can make space for more positive relationships.

Help others and ‘give back’ — engaging in acts of kindness and contributing to the wellbeing of others can bring immense meaning into your life, and it not only benefits those you help but it also enhances your own sense of purpose and connection. You can do this through volunteering, mentoring, or simply being there for a friend in need. It’s like adding a ripple of positive impact that starts with you and extends outward into the world… and remember what I say at the end of each episode: “because you get back what you put out”!

Practice mindfulness and gratitude — mindfulness helps you to appreciate the present moment, while gratitude focuses on the positives in your life, and incorporating both of them into your daily routine serves to shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s enriching in your life. You can do this by setting aside time each day to meditate, keeping a gratitude journal, or simply taking a few moments to acknowledge the good around you.

Explore your spirituality — whether it’s through learning, meditation, or personal reflection, working on your spiritual wellbeing can provide a profound sense of connection and purpose because it often ties into larger questions about life and existence, providing a framework for understanding your place in the world. There are lots of different ways to do this, and bear in mind that ‘spirituality’ is not the same thing as ‘religion.’

Seek inspiration — regularly expose yourself to inspiring people, stories, and environments… this can motivate you to make positive changes and open up new possibilities for finding meaning. You can do this by reading inspiring books, attending talks, or surrounding yourself with motivational people.

Explore art and culture — human beings have been pondering the notion of meaning since the dawn of time, and much of the art that exists today is related in some form or another to the big questions, like “Why are we here?” Immersing yourself in art and culture can provide new perspectives and enrich your life; it broadens your understanding of the world and it can stir new emotions and thoughts. Try visiting museums, attending concerts, or exploring different cultural events in your area, or you can even check out the collections of major galleries and museums online from anywhere in the world (or go and visit Google Arts & Culture, which has an enormous selection of artworks to explore).

Document your journey — keeping a journal or a blog about your experiences and thoughts can help you reflect on your journey and see your growth over time. It allows you to track your progress towards finding meaning and understand your evolving perspectives. You could start a journal, blog, or even a video diary to document your experiences.

Plan for tomorrow, but live for today — look, goals are important because they help to keep us moving forward, but it’s important to not get so caught up in them that you miss the present since this is the place where life is lived. Finding balance is key because it allows you to work towards meaningful objectives while also appreciating the here and now. Choose to be more present and savour the little moments and simple pleasures: a cup of tea, a sunset, listening to a great song, laughter with friends… sometimes, the greatest meaning can be found in the smallest of everyday moments.

From: The Importance of Living a Purpose-Driven Life and Finding Meaning in Life for Better Mental Health

Homework

Take some time today to reflect on what brings meaning and purpose to your life. Recognize that this process can take weeks, months, or even years, so be patient and kind to yourself along the way. It’s completely normal to feel as though you’re not making much progress at first. The goal here is simply to understand how deeply meaning and purpose can affect your mental and physical wellbeing.

Remember, finding purpose is a journey of self-discovery—embrace the twists, turns, and moments of insight that come your way. If you’d like some structured guidance, download the Discovering Your Life Purpose worksheet to help you get started. Keep an open mind, stay curious, and celebrate the small steps you take on this path to understanding yourself more fully.

Optional Creative Activity

Purpose Tree

Supplies Needed: Paper, pens, markers, coloured pencils, crayons, or any drawing tools.

Create a "Purpose Tree" on a sheet of paper. Draw a tree with roots, a trunk, and branches. In the roots, write or draw what has grounded you in life, such as values, beliefs, people, or experiences. In the trunk, list aspects of your life that currently give you a sense of meaning or fulfillment. On the branches, jot down things you're curious about or want to explore further in your search for greater meaning and purpose. Each part of the tree represents a different aspect of your ongoing journey toward understanding your life's purpose.