There Is No One Way to Live a Meaningful Life

What we do, who we spend time with, how we spend our leisure time, and where we choose to live all impact the kind of life we lead.

That said, there is no one right way to live a meaningful life. Different people are inherently more prone to other interests and habits based on their personalities.

“For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment,” says Victor E. Frankl.

However, that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice living a meaningful life to follow your own personal interests and hobbies. You can have it all; it just depends on what “all” means to you.

Meaningful lives are the sum of countless experiences and the full expression of one’s potential to contribute to the world. When we talk about meaningful lives, we’re not just talking about happiness or self-actualization.

We’re also talking about contributing positively to society and making an impact on others’ lives. There are many different ways to approach meaningful living, and it’s not just about finding a job you love or creating a business that can support your family.

Being intentional and mindful about what you value in life is an essential part of finding meaning in your own life. It could be as simple as volunteering at your local charity shop or taking time daily to reflect on what matters most in your life — or developing a lifestyle that makes you come alive.

“Life is without meaning. You bring meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning,” says Joseph Campbell.

Don’t wish for long life; invest in a meaningful life

“It is not length of life, but depth of life. “ — Ralph Waldo Emerson

A meaningful life is something we all want. It’s a life with purpose and meaning, one where you feel fulfilled, happy and content. It’s a life that means more than just getting by or meeting your basic needs.

A meaningful life is the kind of life you always hoped to have one day — it’s when you look back on your days and feel grateful for the experiences they gave you, the people you met and the things you learned.

Living a meaningful life is an aspiration for many people. It’s something that many of us want to achieve — and fast. There are many ways to live meaningfully, but what does it actually mean?

How do you know if your life has meaning and purpose? Should you give up your interests in science fiction and comic books; ditch your love of gadgets and PC games; sell your collection of action figures and rediscover the value of reading Chaucer instead? Or can anyone live meaningfully with the help of some inspiring ideas from philosophers along the way?

It’s not as simple as following a checklist or having a moment of epiphany; it takes time, effort and dedication to discover what makes your life meaningful. “Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live,” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said.

A meaningful life is one where you feel connected to the world around you in all aspects of your life. This can be a deep connection with nature or an emotional connection with another person.

A meaningful life is one where you feel connected to the people and places you care about most. It can be hard to define what makes a life meaningful, but there are a few things to consider.

One way to make your life more meaningful is to learn something new every day. Whether taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill, it’s never too late to pursue your curiosities. It doesn’t have to be anything big either — even taking the time to learn how to deal with your email inbox can make a huge difference in your life.

A meaningful life is also about making choices that feel good and right for you. It means choosing values that fit with who you are as a person and what you want out of life. You will also find that when making these choices, things happen naturally that help bring meaning into your life.

You can find meaning when you connect with people who share similar values and are willing to engage in activities outside their daily routines. You can find meaning in what you do for work — it’s rare, though.

Many people miss out on meaningful work because they don’t control their creative expression. Spending quality time with good friends who care about you and want to see you thrive is also an important part of a meaningful life. You’ll find that when you do this, you feel more connected and cared for in ways you never would have if you were alone.

The key to meaning is self-awareness

“An awareness of one’s mortality can lead you to wake up and live an authentic, meaningful life,” says Bernie Siegel.

If meaning is what you want, don’t lie to yourself. Being authentic to yourself is essential, but so is finding something that really matters to you.

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize, understand, and regulate one’s own consciousness. The more aware you are of your inner motivations, desires, and goals, the more likely you will achieve them.

Conversely, the less aware you are of your motivations, desires, and goals, the more likely you will fail or fall short of them.

Self-awareness also involves being honest about what you sincerely want in life so that you can design the life that makes you come alive.

Self-awareness goes beyond knowing yourself as an individual; it also encompasses knowing yourself as a person in relation to others. Without self-awareness, forming meaningful connections with others or maintaining healthy relationships with family members or friends is hard.

A set of rules or guidelines does not always define such things as passion, purpose and meaning. They are personal pursuits. The point is to find what works for you and do everything in your power to keep repeating them.

This article originally appeared in Medium.