What Makes Life Meaningful? A Psychological Perspective

For centuries, philosophers and scientists have explored what gives life meaning. Modern psychology identifies four core components that contribute to meaningful living:

Coherence - Seeing your life as orderly and understandable
Purpose - Being driven by meaningful goals and values
Existential Mattering - Believing your existence has significance
Experiential Appreciation - Valuing and savoring daily experiences

The Power of Experiential Appreciation

Recent research published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals that appreciating everyday moments is equally important as the other three components for creating meaning. Texas A&M professor Joshua Hicks and colleagues found:

People who practice experiential appreciation report higher life meaning
Simple daily moments can be as meaningful as major life events
This appreciation can be cultivated through mindfulness

7 Key Findings from the Research:

Appreciation during COVID-19 predicted greater meaning beyond other factors
Researchers developed a scale to measure experiential appreciation
Daily journaling about meaningful moments increased perceived meaning
Recalling appreciated past events boosted current sense of meaning
Awe-inspiring videos (like Planet Earth) enhanced appreciation
Writing about appreciated experiences increased meaning more than control tasks
Appreciation creates confidence that life is worth living

Practical Ways to Cultivate Meaning Daily

Mindfulness Practices

Savor small moments like meals or conversations
Practice present-moment awareness
Keep a gratitude journal

Awe-Inspiring Experiences

Watch nature documentaries
Visit scenic locations
Stargaze or observe natural wonders

Daily Habits for Meaning

Start each day with intention
Notice and appreciate small joys
Reflect on meaningful connections
Engage in activities aligned with your values

The Connection Between Awe and Meaning

While big awe experiences (like seeing the James Webb telescope images) are powerful, Hicks notes:

Daily small appreciations matter more for sustained meaning
Awe helps put problems in perspective ("small self" effect)
Nature connection is particularly meaningful

Future Research Directions

Scientists plan to further study:
- How nature connectedness boosts meaning
- The role of mindfulness in appreciation
- Cultural differences in meaning-making

The Takeaway: Meaning Is Always Accessible

As Hicks concludes, "Experiential appreciation is a primary source of meaning that's available to us at any moment." By practicing awareness and appreciation of our daily experiences, we can cultivate a richer, more meaningful life.

Articles tagged "meaning-in-life"

Articles tagged "meaning-in-life"

Finding Meaning in Life: Science-Backed Pathways