Building Meaning Into Your Life
There’s a common myth about meaning - that it’s something we just “find” one day, waiting for us like a buried treasure. But the truth is far more empowering.
As researcher Michael Steger puts it:
“Meaning is not something you stumble across; it is something you build into your life through your actions and choices.”
That means it’s not about waiting for lightning to strike. It’s about noticing and nurturing what already matters to you, one choice at a time.
Why it matters
Meaning gives shape to our lives. It’s what makes the hard work worth it, helps us feel part of something bigger, and reminds us why we get out of bed in the morning. Without it, even the busiest life can feel oddly empty.
When we connect with meaning, we:
Feel more motivated and energised.
Experience greater resilience when things go wrong.
Live with a stronger sense of direction and purpose.
In other words, meaning doesn’t just make life richer it makes it steadier, too.
Here’s the science bit
Research into meaning and purpose (Michael Steger, Martin Seligman, and others) shows that:
People who report higher meaning in life also report better mental health and lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Meaning is strongly linked with greater wellbeing and life satisfaction, across cultures and ages.
Having a sense of purpose is associated with better physical health and even longer life expectancy.
People who live with meaning are more resilient in the face of stress, because they can see challenges as part of a bigger picture.
Therefore meaning isn’t a luxury. It’s a vital ingredient in thriving.
How to start
You don’t need hours of journalling or a life-changing retreat to reflect on meaning. Sometimes the simplest cues unlock the richest insights.
One easy way in? Your own photos on your phone.
Try this as a 5-minute exercise
Go to your phone. Open your photos and choose 1–3 images that feel meaningful to you. Don’t overthink it, just pick the ones that tug at you.
Look closely. Ask yourself: What does this photo (or these photos) say about what truly matters to me?
Go deeper. How do these images reflect the way you want to live your life? What values, relationships, or experiences do they highlight?
Carry it forward. What’s one small way you could honour that meaning in the week ahead?
Why it’s worth it
This isn’t about curating the perfect life or chasing some grand sense of destiny. It’s about pausing long enough to notice the threads of meaning already woven through your everyday.
Those threads - family, creativity, friendship, growth, love - are your guides. When you recognise them, you can choose more of what matters and let go of what doesn’t.
So, take five minutes today. Scroll, choose, reflect. Let those photos remind you of what you already know deep down: that meaning isn’t out there waiting. You’re building it, every day, through the choices you make and the life you’re living.
✨ Thriving starts by seeing what matters, and then choosing it, again and again.