Finding the meaning in our lives is important. It helps us to cope with life’s challenges. Because meaning is one of the three components of happiness, it is no surprise that positive emotions share a robust connection with meaning (King, 2021).
The search for meaning in life may be especially important for Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 29) because a recent survey found that a third of them say they lack meaning in their lives (Senseman, 2026).
Meaning in life is a “subjective sense that one’s life makes sense, has purpose, and matters to others” (King, 2021). Arthur Brooks, a professor at Vanderbilt University and an expert on happiness, explains that there are three elements of meaning: coherence, purpose, and significance (Brooks, 2026).
Understanding the Three Elements of Meaning
Coherence means recognizing that the different aspects of your life are connected, not random. This awareness helps you make sense of what happens in your life (King, 2021). To discover your coherence, Brooks recommends asking yourself, “Why do things happen the way they do in my life?” (Brooks, 2026).
Purpose refers to your goals, the general direction of your life, and your values. Brooks describes it as a “belief that you are alive in order to do something.” Research shows that “purpose enhances the feeling that one is engaged in life; one’s intentions and actions are perceived as meaningful and may even help make life itself feel worthwhile” (King, 2021).
To discover your purpose, Brooks recommends asking yourself: “Why am I moving in this direction?”
Significance refers to whether you matter to anyone. Would anyone notice or care if you disappeared? Another way to describe significance is that your “existence has and will have a lasting impact on the world” (King, 2021).
People who feel insignificant can experience “profoundly negative outcomes, including suicidal ideation and attempts” (King, 2021). To discover your significance, Brooks recommends asking yourself, “Why does my life matter?”
Finding the Meaning in Your Life
Research shows that meaning in life is associated with intuitive rather than effortful information processing (King, 2021). Brooks explains this by noting that the right side of the brain addresses the “why” questions. On the other hand, the left brain addresses practical questions, such as what to do and how to do it (Brooks, 2026).
To access the right side of the brain, we can ask ourselves the “why” questions and use our intuition to find answers that resonate with us. The answers usually include transcendent concepts. Transcendent refers to matters that go beyond our typical limitations and experiences. Examples include religious beliefs and deep philosophical inquiries.
Some sources of meaning include “friends, religious faith, achievements, and self-worth” (King, 2021). The meaning in our lives is influenced primarily by our family, followed by happiness (King, 2021).
Examples of ways to enhance a positive mood include listening to uplifting music, writing about a happy memory or a valued accomplishment, or reading comedy (King, 2021). Happiness-inducing activities like these will support meaning in your life.
Research shows that you can have significant meaning if you “have deep faith or social ties” (King, 2021). Your worldview can also provide meaning—for example, following a philosophical school of thought such as Stoicism.
Perhaps the most important way to find meaning is to foster social relationships. “Social relationships provide a context for all three facets of meaning in life; they organize our experience, imbue our lives with purpose, and allow our lives to matter” (King, 2021).
Happiness Essential Reads
Be deliberate in how you engage in your relationships. Write down the names of important people in your life. How often do you communicate? Do you wait for them to reach out, or do you initiate contact at least some of the time? To live a happy and meaningful life, focus on your relationships.
The Role of Work, Leisure Activities, and Nature
Your work can provide meaning if it helps others. Do you provide services or things that benefit others? People also find work more meaningful if they earn their success.
Leisure activities can also advance the meaning in your life. For example, going for walks in nature and noticing its beauty provides a deep sense of meaning (Brooks, 2026).
Final Thoughts
Meaning is an important element of our happiness and well-being. Find your meaning by reflecting on the three elements of meaning: coherence, purpose, and significance. Our relationships with others are a critical part of our search for meaning. Foster them.
