Psychologists Have Identified The Main Source Of Meaning In Life

• 8.11.2026, 16:56

Close relationships help people feel needed and happy.

Success, money, or pleasant experiences are not enough for a person to be happy—they need to feel that their life has meaning and is important to those around them. Psychologist and psychiatrist Peter Hartmann has identified three components of a meaningful life: understanding one’s own path, having a purpose, and feeling that one matters to others. Close relationships play a particularly important role in this, writes Psychology Today.

The first element is a sense of coherence in life, when a person understands how different events and decisions are interconnected. The second is purpose—that is, an understanding of what one lives for and the direction in which one is moving. The third is significance: the awareness that you are needed by others and that your existence makes a difference.
“Purpose is the belief that you are living for something,” Hartmann explains.

The psychologist identifies relationships with other people as the primary source of meaning. “Social connections give meaning to all three components of our lives: they help organize our experiences, fill our lives with purpose, and give us a sense of our own significance,” the article states.

At the same time, meaning can be found not only in family and friendship. It can also come from work that benefits others, personal achievements, religious faith, philosophy, and even walks in nature.

To better understand one’s own values, the expert suggests asking oneself three questions: Why is my life unfolding this way? Where am I headed? And why does my existence matter?