Feeling lost or stuck in life is something we all experience at some point.
When meaning feels out of reach, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing external success—more money, more recognition, more achievements—only to find that none of it truly satisfies.
But meaning isn’t something we stumble upon by accident—it’s something we create through our daily actions and mindset.
The good news? Small shifts in how we think and behave can completely transform how we experience life!
Here are seven habits that will help you cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment:
1) Take full ownership of your life
One of the biggest obstacles to finding meaning is feeling like life is happening to you instead of being something you actively shape.
It’s easy to blame circumstances, other people, or bad luck for where we are.
But the truth is: Meaning comes from taking full responsibility for our choices, actions, and perspectives.
When we stop waiting for things to change and start focusing on what we can control, everything shifts.
Challenges become opportunities, failures turn into lessons and, instead of feeling stuck, we start seeing possibilities everywhere.
This doesn’t mean ignoring real obstacles, but rather choosing to respond in a way that empowers us rather than keeps us trapped.
The more ownership we take over our lives, the more meaning we’ll create in the process.
2) Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth
For years, I used to see obstacles as setbacks—frustrating roadblocks keeping me from where I wanted to be.
But over time, I realized that the most meaningful moments in my life came from overcoming difficulties, not avoiding them.
Every challenge forces us to adapt, think creatively, and push beyond our comfort zones.
Instead of resisting these moments, we can embrace them as invitations to grow into stronger, wiser versions of ourselves.
The key is shifting our mindset: What if the struggles you’re facing right now aren’t holding you back but actually shaping you into the person you need to become?
As Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, once said: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
3) Redefine success on your own terms
Many of us chase a version of success that was handed to us by society—status, wealth, the perfect relationship.
But what if true fulfillment comes from redefining success in a way that aligns with our values and unique path?
I once believed that success meant constantly achieving more—more recognition, more financial security, more external validation.
Later on, I realized that the deepest sense of meaning came when I let go of these expectations and started living according to what truly mattered to me.
If you feel stuck searching for meaning, take a step back and ask yourself: What does success really look like for you and what kind of life would actually make you feel fulfilled?
To explore this idea further, I dive into it in my video on personal freedom hacks—where I share insights on breaking free from societal expectations and living life on your own terms.
4) Stop waiting for the perfect moment
The harsh truth is this: There is no perfect moment.
No ideal circumstances, and no magical sign from the universe that tells you it’s finally time to pursue what matters.
Too many people waste years waiting—waiting until they have more money, more confidence, more clarity.
Yet, meaning isn’t something you find when everything falls into place. It’s something you build through action.
Life doesn’t owe you the right conditions to begin.
If you keep waiting, you’ll wake up one day realizing that your life was spent in hesitation instead of creation.
The only way forward is to start now, with whatever resources, knowledge, or courage you have.
Take responsibility for your path and move—imperfectly, boldly, and without guarantees.
As Anaïs Nin put it: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
5) Let go of the need to be seen as a ‘good person’
Most people spend their lives trying to be perceived as good—kind, selfless, agreeable.
They bend over backward to meet expectations, avoid conflict, and gain approval.
Obsessing over being “good” often leads to self-betrayal.
You suppress your real thoughts, you tolerate toxic situations, and you say “yes” when you mean “no.”
In the end, you lose touch with who you really are.
Real integrity isn’t about fitting into society’s definition of goodness.
It’s about being honest with yourself, making choices based on your values, and having the courage to stand by them—even when others don’t approve.
If you’ve ever felt trapped by the pressure to always do the “right” thing in other people’s eyes, I explore this idea in my video on why giving up on being a ‘good person’ can actually set you free.
6) Prioritize deep friendships over chasing ‘the one’
Many people spend their lives searching for a perfect romantic partner, believing that love will finally give them the fulfillment they crave.
But the truth is, meaning doesn’t come from a single relationship—it comes from the connections we build in every area of life.
Deep, supportive friendships often bring more stability, understanding, and long-term fulfillment than any fleeting romance.
These are the relationships that see you through your failures, challenge you to grow, and remind you who you are when you start to forget.
Instead of obsessing over finding “the one,” invest in the people who already bring value to your life.
Cultivate friendships built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect.
Because at the end of the day, no single person can be your everything—but a strong community can be the foundation for a meaningful life.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
7) Create more than you consume
Most people spend their days consuming—endless social media, news cycles, entertainment, and other people’s ideas.
And yet, despite all this information, they still feel empty.
Why? Because meaning doesn’t come from passive consumption. It comes from creation.
When you create—whether it’s writing, building a business, making art, or simply shaping your own life with intention—you tap into something deeply human.
You move from being a spectator to an active participant in the world.
Instead of just absorbing what others have made, you contribute something unique that wouldn’t exist without you.
Creation is about approaching life with the mindset that you have something valuable to add; it’s in the way you solve problems, innovate in your work, or even shape the conversations you have with others.
Start small by writing a single paragraph, start a project that excites you, or simply expressing an idea you’ve been holding back.
The act of creating will change everything.
The chemistry of meaning
The search for meaning isn’t just a philosophical pursuit—it’s wired into us at a biological level.
Our brains are constantly seeking patterns, purpose, and connection; dopamine surges when we set and achieve meaningful goals, while oxytocin deepens our bonds with others, reinforcing the importance of community.
Even serotonin, tied to feelings of well-being, is boosted when we live in alignment with our values.
In other words, meaning isn’t just something we think about—it’s something we feel in every fiber of our being.
The habits we cultivate shape that experience.
When we take ownership of our lives, embrace challenges, redefine success, and invest in deep connections, we’re not just making philosophical shifts—we’re rewiring our brains for fulfillment.
Meaning isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create, one choice at a time.
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