Nato Lagidze
When things get tough, it’s not uncommon to question the meaning of life.
You might find yourself asking what is the purpose of your life at all and what you can do when life has no meaning.
Does this sound familiar?
That’s exactly what I was going through a while ago. But then I realized there’s always something better on the horizon.
In this article, I’ll share 15 things you can do when life has no meaning. That’s how I live currently, and that helps me feel that I live a meaningful life.
1) Start with yourself
Let me take a wild guess.
The first tip that I’m about to give you won’t surprise you.
Why?
Because every time you ask the question, “what can I do when life has no meaning,” you start with yourself.
You look for the answer inside of you. You start asking yourself questions like “What do I want from life?” or “What can I do to make my life more meaningful?”.
And that’s great!
That’s what you should be doing.
The thing is that when life has no meaning, your first step should be self-reflection. If you don’t know why you are here, you can’t really do anything meaningful.
Start by asking yourself, “What is it that you want to do with your life?” and “What are your goals in life?”
Then think of the things that are preventing you from achieving those goals.
The reason is that self-reflection is the first step to doing something meaningful.
In fact, that’s the only way to realize why you don’t feel that your life has any meaning and what you can do about it.
So, here’s what you should do:
Start with yourself. Identify the real reasons why you don’t feel that your life has any meaning.
Ask yourself if you’re truly happy and if you’re living each day with a purpose. If the answer is no, then it’s time to make a change.
And don’t forget that understanding what truly matters to you and making sure that you’re spending your time accordingly is the first step toward living a meaningful life.
So, start with yourself and you’ll soon notice the difference.
2) Do something for others
Okay, you’re certain that your life doesn’t have any meaning. But have you ever thought about doing something meaningful for the rest of the world?
Just think about it.
When you think about it this way, your life will have meaning. What do I mean here?
Well, ‘m talking about doing something that makes a difference. Something that will make you feel proud of yourself and happy to be alive.
What do I mean by that?
The truth is that there are many things you can do when life has no meaning, but the most important thing is to find out what’s meaningful for you and do it with all your heart!
Believe it or not, even if there’s nothing meaningful for us to do, we can still make someone else’s day better by simply making them smile or helping them out.
You can volunteer at a local charity organization or even become a part of one and help people who need it the most.
Volunteering can help you see things from a different perspective and give meaning to your life again.
And this way, instead of waiting for something good to happen in your own life, you are actively making something good happen for others.
As Jim Carrey said:
“The purpose of my life has always been to free people from concern.”
Without humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.
So, here’s the thing:
Helping others is a great way to find meaning and purpose in life.
You can volunteer your time at a local animal shelter, or you can also start helping people out through services like Skillshare.
You don’t have to do something big to help others.
Be mindful and present when you are around people, and you will find yourself helping others without even realizing you’re doing so.
Note that this is not something you have to do full-time or even regularly. It doesn’t have to be a daily thing, but a weekly or monthly thing.
That’s why you might need to think about helping others and doing something meaningful for them.
3) Do what you love to do
What do you enjoy doing the most?
Even if you think your life has no meaning, we all have at least one thing that makes us happy. It could be something as simple as reading a book or watching your favorite TV show.
That’s right — as simple as that.
The fact is that there are many things you can do to bring meaning into your life and make it feel worth living again.
For example, if you’ve been feeling depressed and unhappy lately, then it’s time to find a way to make yourself feel better.
And here’s how: get back to doing what you really love! Don’t wait for the right moment or a good mood – just go and do what makes your heart sing!
I know it’s not easy in real life to get back to doing things you enjoy when you feel your life has no meaning.
But that’s exactly what I experienced a while ago.
My existential crisis was so strong that it didn’t even allow me to function on a daily basis.
But you know what?
About 67.9% of people reported that they’ve experienced an existential crisis at some point in their lives.
This means you’re not alone because people have found some functional ways to deal with it!
To me, such a way was to watch this eye-opening video from the shaman Rudá Iandé and put his advice into practice.
In this video, Ruda provides techniques to free our minds from toxic habits we have unknowingly picked up.
You know, modern social norms are all about being positive, finding meaning in life, or achieving success.
But what if you’re the one who can define your own success without considering what society thinks?
If you’re also ready for getting life-changing advice, click here to watch the free video
4) Find your passion and pursue it
Do you know what’s the best thing you can do when life has no meaning?
Find something you are passionate about and make time for it in your life.
What is your purpose? Are you living your life in a way that makes your heart sing?
These are questions only you can answer.
But how can you find passion when you think your life has no meaning?
Well, you can find your passion by being open to new experiences and learning from your everyday life.
Just think of the things you’re passionate about.
What are your hobbies? What things do you enjoy doing? What makes your heart sing?
When you’re feeling down, it’s so easy to lose yourself in a day-to-day routine. But that’s not the way to go!
The real way out is to find what you love and make time for it, even if that means sacrificing other things.
Write them down, and then think of how you can integrate them into your life.
For example, if you’re passionate about painting, then take a few painting classes.
Or, if you love to travel, then maybe it’s time to plan a trip that will broaden your horizons.
You know what? I’ve been in such a situation myself, so I know how hard it is to find the right path when life has no meaning.
But as I said, I did find my way to find my passion, and now I’m following it with all my heart!
So, try to focus on your passions.
I’m sure one day, something will click, and you’ll know what it is.
Until then, try different things and follow your intuition.
- What is your skill set?
- What makes you happy?
- What do you love doing?
- What do you feel drawn towards?
If you can’t find any passion in your life yet, don’t worry. It’s something that takes time, but I’m sure you’ll get there.
5) Get out of your comfort zone
Have you ever tried to break your comfort zone and do something completely new and challenging whenever you feel that your life has no meaning?
Well, I have, and believe me, it is one of the best things you can do when life has no meaning.
How does it work?
When you feel like your life has no meaning, you can easily get stuck in a routine that makes you feel like nothing will ever change.
When you’re in your comfort zone, it’s very easy to get stuck in it. You won’t try new things, meet new people, and explore new possibilities.
Because why would you? Your life is comfortable and familiar. Why change something if it isn’t broken?
But then again…things aren’t always that simple, are they?
It’s not possible to be happy all of the time, right?
There will always be ups and downs in our lives and we need to learn how to deal with them.
But if you want to break out of that routine and find your passion, then try doing something new and challenging.
New experiences make you feel alive again and help you become more open to the world around you.
If you’re feeling really low, then maybe it’s time for a big change in your life.
Maybe it’s time for a job change or something else? Or maybe it’s time to learn something you’ve dreamt of in your childhood.
You never know until you try.
But even if you stay in the same place, you can still find your passion.
It all comes down to overcoming your fears and not thinking about the risks.
That’s because the risks are always there, but it doesn’t mean that you should just give up on life and stop trying.
No! You need to move forward and take a chance.
Try something new or different every day. Make one step towards your passion each day, no matter how small it is.
It will be hard at first but like everything else in life, it gets easier with time. And eventually, you’ll find your way to happiness!
This is why getting out of our comfort zone is so important for us at times like these when our lives have no meaning.
When we try something new, we learn more about ourselves than ever before and that helps us grow as people and as human beings.
And this makes our lives more meaningful in the process!
6) Accept reality and stop trying to change your life
The next tip might sound surprising to you because you’re looking for ways to change your life and find something that would transform it into a meaningful one.
But the truth is that it’s not always necessary to change your life because you can always find meaning and happiness in the life you already have.
Yes, you’re unsatisfied with your current life, you’re frustrated, and want to get out of the routine and find something new, but you have it all wrong.
You need to accept reality and start working on yourself instead of trying to change your life.
The key here is to look at things from a different perspective.
That’s exactly what I found out in a book called “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego” by Lachlan Brown.
In this excellent self-help book, the author explores the mistakes people make about Buddhism but most importantly, you’ll learn how to accept reality and stop trying to force positivity when you’re unfulfilled with your life.
So, if you want to find happiness in your life, then maybe it’s time for a change in your attitude.
Maybe it’s time for you to take a step back and look at your life from a different angle.
You need to accept the things that are out of your control and focus on improving yourself instead of looking for ways to change your life.
Accept that there is nothing wrong with you or with the people around you, there is nothing wrong with the way you were raised or with what people think about you.
Even if it does sound frustrating, you need to accept the reality before you can do anything else in your life.
You can’t pretend everything is ok when it’s not because it will only make things worse for yourself in the end.
The only thing that needs some fixing here is you!
That’s because whatever problems you’re facing right now, they’re all “YOU” problems!
You created them by not thinking straight or being too hard on yourself. You need to accept reality because it’s never going to be perfect.
The sooner you understand this fact, the sooner you will stop complaining about things that are out of your control!
And when that happens, our lives become much more meaningful than ever before!
7) Meditate and practice breathing exercises
This one is a more practical way to find a completely new meaning in our lives.
And it’s also related to the self-help book I mentioned above.
In simple terms, meditation is a great way to find some peace and clarity in your mind.
You can also practice breathing exercises like the 4-7-8 method, or the yoga breathing technique, Ujjayi.
These simple exercises will help you calm down, think clearly, and feel more present in your life.
If you have never tried meditating before, start with a guided meditation and then try to do it on your own as well.
In fact, there are tons of sources today to find great guided meditations online.
You can start with YouTube or even apps like Calm or Headspace.
But to me, the thing that worked the best was again, “The Hidden Secrets of Buddhism.” This book helped me understand the importance of meditation for my well-being and guided me to incorporate it into my daily routine.
I’m sure you’ll find something that will help you relax and de-stress in your life too!
And you know what?
If you’re not familiar with this practice, you should know that it’s all about finding your inner peace.
It’s about finding a better perspective on things and calming your mind down.
And what’s more important here is that meditation has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, improve focus, promote a healthy lifestyle, and even improve your immune system!
So, just try it and you’ll see how smoothly the practice of meditation will help you realize there’s so much meaning in your life!
8) Cultivate gratitude for the bad things too
Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever tried to be thankful for the bad things that happened to you in the past?
If not, let me tell you something that will help you cultivate gratitude for the bad things in your life.
Bad things happen to everyone.
You can’t avoid them completely.
We all have to go through hard times and experience some sort of suffering.
And guess what?
It’s completely normal.
You can find the silver lining in the bad things that happen in your life.
For example, if you lose your job, you can look at it as an opportunity to do something you love.
If a loved one passes away, you can be grateful for all the time you got to spend with them.
The thing is that the bad things that happen in your life can have a silver lining. It’s all up to you to look for it.
And in fact, we can learn so much from our mistakes and the bad things that have happened to us!
So instead of complaining about them, try to find some value in them! That way, you’ll find a way to give your life meaning and feel grateful for everything that happens to you.
9) Write about what’s bothering you
Another useful strategy to help you find meaning in life is to write about what’s bothering you.
Writing about what’s bothering you can be a great way to let go of the negative emotions that cause you to feel like life has no meaning.
It’s a therapeutic writing technique that is used by many people to unload their thoughts and feelings.
You can write in a journal, or you can even write publicly online.
Why so?
The reason is that writing is a powerful technique that can help you discover yourself and find meaning in your life. It can help you release the emotions that are weighing you down.
Let me explain this idea in detail.
When something is bothering you, it means that there’s something that needs to be fixed, right?
Maybe there’s some sort of injustice or unfairness in your life?
Or maybe, there are things that need to be changed?
Maybe, you’re experiencing some sort of emotional pain and don’t know how to deal with it?
You can express your feelings about what’s bothering you by writing them down on a piece of paper. It will help you realize what exactly is going on and find a way out of the situation.
10) Volunteer your time
Even though I already mentioned that one of the things you can do when your life has no meaning is to help others, now I want to focus particularly on volunteering.
Volunteering your time can be a great way to give your life meaning.
To be honest, I believe that this is one of the best ways to find meaning in your life.
And there are a lot of things you can do as a volunteer such as working with animals, helping children, helping the homeless, and many other things.
- You can volunteer your time at an organization or cause that you are interested in.
- You can also just volunteer in your own community.
- You can help out at a local animal shelter, or you can teach English to kids.
- You can also help your neighbors with their yard work or household tasks.
There are so many ways you can volunteer your time. Find an organization that is close to your heart, or do something for your community.
By volunteering, you’ll feel like you’re doing something important for this world!
It can help you appreciate your life more.
And it can give your life a feeling of fulfillment.
Sounds impressive, right?
That’s why I highly recommend that you find a way to volunteer your time! It’s one of the best ways to give your life meaning.
It can help you feel connected to the world and bring some balance into your life.
And the best thing about volunteering is that anyone can volunteer! It doesn’t matter if you have no experience or skills. You can help others in the simplest ways.
11) Travel to a destination that inspires you
One of the things that can help you find meaning in your life is to travel to a destination that inspires you.
Traveling can help you find meaning in your life.
It can be a great break from your reality and can help you clear your head.
But you know what?
If you don’t have the resources to travel, that’s okay.
You can borrow books and documentaries that can inspire you and help you find meaning in your life.
Find a destination that inspires you, and plan a trip there. You can also visit museums and other places of interest where you can learn more about yourself.
But what does it mean to travel to a destination that inspires you?
In my opinion, traveling to a destination that inspires you means visiting a place where you feel like your life has a purpose.
I think this is one of the best ways to give your life meaning.
And it doesn’t even have to be an expensive trip! You can go on a short weekend trip, or even just take an overnight bus ride!
You just need to visit a destination where you feel inspired and motivated.
By doing so, I believe that it will give your life more meaning and balance. And it will help you appreciate what’s going on in your life right now.
12) Take care of your body and mind by eating healthy and sleeping well
Believe it or not, one of the most important strategies to find meaning in your life is to take care of your body and mind.
Why?
Because taking care of your body and mind can help you feel more balanced, healthy, and energized. And it can help you have a better quality of life.
In fact, the research shows that there is a direct connection between self-care and quality of life.
This means that if you take care of your body and mind, you will have a better quality of life, and you will feel happier.
And if you are feeling happy and healthy, then it will be easier for you to find meaning in your life.
How do you go about taking care of your body and mind?
I recommend that you start by eating healthily. And I’m not talking about dieting or restricting yourself from certain food groups.
I’m talking about eating food that is good for your body and mind.
Foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, etc. These foods are natural sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (which help protect against cell damage), fiber (which helps support healthy digestion), etc.
And when eaten in the right amount and frequency can help boost your immune system and keep your body healthy.
In addition to eating healthily, I also recommend that you get enough sleep every night.
Why? Because sleep is an important part of self-care! It is an important part of taking care of your body as well as your mind!
So, keep in mind that taking care of your body and mind is important.
It can help you feel more balanced and be able to handle the challenges in life better.
Depending on your lifestyle, you might have to make some changes to make this happen. But it’s worth it.
A healthy body and mind help you feel better about yourself and your life.
13) Exercise to release endorphins
This one is related to the previous point but I want you to pay attention to it in a different way.
I want you to think about this point in a more
Endorphin is a hormone that is released by the pituitary gland. And it is often referred to as the “happiness hormone.”
What’s so special about endorphins?
Well, they help make you feel happier and more relaxed. They also help relieve pain.
And exercising releases endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.
You can do yoga, go for a run, or do any other exercise that you love.
Exercising is a great way to feel good about yourself, help you release stress and anxiety, and give you a burst of energy that can help you get through the day.
Find an exercise that you love doing, and you will be more likely to keep doing it.
So, if you are feeling down, stressed out, and/or have physical pain going on in your body, then it would be good for you to exercise!
Exercising can help release endorphins that can boost your mood and make you feel better. This will also reduce the physical pain that you might be experiencing and make you satisfied with your life.
After all, exercising and taking care of your health is indeed something worthwhile, meaning it can make you feel like your life actually has meaning.
14) Live in the present moment
Let me take a guess.
The reason why you feel like your life doesn’t have meaning anymore is that you don’t live in the present moment.
Your mind is always focused on the past or the future. You are thinking about what happened in the past. Or you are thinking about what is going to happen in the future.
In either case, you cannot live in the present moment because your mind is somewhere else, somewhere that isn’t where you are right now.
This is why it can be helpful to live in the present moment more often so that you can appreciate life more and feel like your life has meaning.
And here’s something else to think about:
Do you remember how I said earlier that it can be hard for us to see if our lives have meaning or not because we don’t have all of the information?
Well, this is another way of saying that we don’t know what will happen in the future. We don’t know if our lives will turn out okay or not, and we might never know for sure!
But one thing we do know for sure?
The only thing we have right now is this very moment!
So let’s make it count and make it worth living! Let’s appreciate each and every moment of our lives because each one could be our last! Let’s live our lives while we still have them!
15) Be mindful of your actions and embrace little changes
And the final tip is to be mindful of your actions and to embrace little changes.
When you are mindful of your actions, you are more likely to do good things for you.
And when you do things that are good for you, it will make your life better.
For example, if you were going to get a facial treatment at the spa and then thought about how much it would cost, then maybe it’s not a good idea for you to go there because the treatment might be too expensive for your budget.
Or if you were going out with some friends, but then thought about how long the night was going to last and how tired they would get, then maybe it’s not a good idea for you to go out with them — they might get bored or tired and stop having fun with each other.
Does this sound familiar?
If so, I know the reason why you feel like your life doesn’t have meaning.
But you can change that by being mindful of your actions and embracing little changes.
And this brings me to my final question:
How can we live a meaningful life?
Just try to live in the present moment. Make mistakes, learn from them and embrace the changes in your life.
And you know what?
All this is only possible if you try to be mindful of your actions and embrace little changes.
Final words
As you can see, there are a lot of things to do to improve your well-being, even when you feel your life has no meaning.
In these moments, it’s important to remember that everyone goes through hard times, and it doesn’t last forever.
Don’t forget that as soon as one chapter ends, another begins, full of new possibilities and endless opportunities for growth.
The key is to keep moving forward, no matter how you feel at the moment.
