A Happy Life Is Not Always a Meaningful Life

What makes life meaningful?

Or what does a good life truly mean to you?

I am trying to explore the meaning of my life.

We come into this world and go on living our lives.

Does anybody know the true purpose of life?

There are answers, but they vary from person to person.

If you live a life of significance, purpose and value, you are living a meaningful life. You may feel that your existence in this world matters, makes sense, and has worth.

Research has been carried out on topics such as a ‘happy life’ and a ‘meaningful life’. However, a ‘happy life’ does not necessarily mean the same as a ‘meaningful life’.

Happiness is often associated with feeling good and fulfilling one’s desires, whereas a meaningful life goes far beyond that.

Yes, there is also the idea of a ‘good life’.

A life that is happy, as well as ethical, may be described as a good life.

We often hear people expressing frustration about their lives. During life’s journey, some come to feel that life is worthless and meaningless.

How do people find meaning in life, and what truly makes a life fulfilling or meaningful?

People have different priorities, goals, perspectives and choices in life.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

Is becoming rich your ultimate goal? If so, will your life be meaningful?

Will it make you happy?

Or is achieving high status in society your goal?

I often rely on research findings.

One of the findings of ‘The Harvard Study of Adult Development’ suggests that ‘relationships’ rank highest in making life meaningful.

It shows that the stronger our relationships are, the more likely we are to live happy, satisfying, and healthy lives.

The study further reveals that the strength of our connections with others can predict the health of both our bodies and our brains as we go through life. Therefore, having people to care for and be cared by matters more than success.

No matter what form they take, relationships, whether friendships, romantic partnerships, or connections with coworkers, contribute to a happier and healthier life.

Dr Robert Waldinger’s TED Talk about this study, “What Makes a Good Life,” has already more than 52 million views, and is one of the ten most-watched TED talks ever.

Achievement alone will not make your life meaningful, because achievement has no limit. Once you achieve a goal, its value quickly fades, and you feel compelled to set another one. It becomes a never-ending process.

On the other hand, achievement is often linked to receiving, but a meaningful life is deeply connected with giving. We begin to feel the true meaning of life when we develop the generosity to contribute to others.

You must accept that your strengths and circumstances will always shape the limits of your achievements. We do not all begin life from the same starting point. Some are born into privilege, while others struggle from the beginning.

This world where we live is deeply unequal and unfair.

Start loving yourself before giving love to others. Make sure that you are living your own life. Otherwise, you will fail to find true meaning in your life.

In society, we often end up living according to others’ expectations.

Society often dictates how we eat, dress, behave and even think. We grow up surrounded by norms and standards that silently shape our choices and identities.

Often, people choose their career not based on their true interests, but on what society considers prestigious. You may love painting and dream of becoming an artist, yet feel pressured to become a doctor because the medical profession is highly respected in society.

However, later in life, you may realise that you are unhappy because you could not continue your passion.

Much of what we do is driven by the desire for validation and approval from society. We want to be attractive, fit, muscular, and handsome for others’ sake.

Gradually, we begin to shape our lives according to standards imposed by society rather than our own authentic desire.

Therefore, to live a meaningful life, start doing something that brings you genuine satisfaction and feels truly worthwhile. Do not worry about whether it is big or small.

Do your best to find inner peace. Do not strive for perfection; accept imperfection. You will always find room to grow and achieve something better. Do not try to hide your mistakes; instead, learn from them.

I am not sure whether the following ideas can truly help widen the path toward a meaningful life. However, based on my personal experience and what I have learned so far, I find myself agreeing with them.

Comparing yourself with others fills your mind with jealousy, so let go of that habit.

Discussing your problems with others may not always help. Most people do not truly care. Often, it is better to face difficulties calmly and deal with them without worrying much.

Your health and your dignity are the most important parts of your life. Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being matters most in life.

Balance is essential in life. Taking life too seriously can make it burdensome, while taking it too lightly can make it meaningless.

Suggested readings:

Maden, Jack (2025): Susan Wolf on how to live a meaningful life. Philosophy Break.

Landau, Iddo (2017): What is meaningful life? Psychology Today.

Flynn, Francis J. (2014): What makes a happy vs. meaningful life? Graduate Scholar of Stanford Business.

This story was originally published in ‘Activated Thinker’ on Medium