Work on the purpose-in-life dimension: searching for meaning, clarifying values and direction, and planning meaningful action.
Step-by-step guide
- Explore: "What gives your life meaning? What do you get up for in the morning?"
- If "nothing": "And earlier? What mattered 5 or 10 years ago?"
- Clarify values: what is truly important (not "should" but "matters")?
- Translate values into goals: what actions line up with those values?
- Plan one step: small, concrete, this week
- Track: how does the sense of meaning change?
When to use
- When purpose in life is a weak dimension
- Existential emptiness, or after a crisis when old meanings have been lost
Key phrases
Meaning is not something we find lying around — it's something we build. Let's start small: tell me about one moment in the past year when your life felt like it meant something, even for an hour.
Follow-up questions
What was present in that moment? Who, where, what mattered?
Which value was being expressed?
What is one small action this week that would honor that value?
If that action became a regular part of your week, what would change?
Alternative phrasings
Any direction that resonates is a good start — you don't have to find the "right" meaning.
Forget "life purpose". What gives this week some shape?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Meaning is not found, it is created. Do not search for the "correct" meaning.
- ⚠️ Any direction that resonates is a good start.
Source: Fava, 2016; Ryff, 1989
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.