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Aug 31, 2022 · Posted August 31, 2022 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster. Key points. We often absorb unhelpful messages about what our life should be. Failing to live up to our internal expectations of a good...
- Overview
- Signs You Feel That Life Is Pointless
- Why You Might Feel This Way
- Depression and Feelings of Pointlessness
- What Gives Life Meaning?
- Strategies That Can Help
- How to Get Help
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Information in this article might be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
It's normal for everyone to wonder about their purpose. At times, however, you might question existence to the point where you wonder, "What is the point of life?" When such feelings are accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, and disinterest, it might signify a mental health condition such as depression.
If you're wondering if there is any purpose to life, remember that meaningfulness is different for each person. For some people, the purpose of life may be to make the world a better place. Others may believe that the point of life is to find and achieve personal fulfillment. And some may feel that the point of life is simply to enjoy it as much as possible.
Finding a sense of meaning in life can be difficult for anyone, but it can be particularly challenging when struggling with low mood and feelings of depression. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your life and its purpose, it can be helpful to learn more about why you might feel this way and what you can do to bring a sense of meaning into your life.
There are a number of signs that you might be struggling to see the point in life. Sometimes you might think "what's the point," but in other cases, these feelings can be less obvious:
•You might feel like nothing you do matters
•You may have stopped caring about the outcome of events
•Things that used to bring you joy may ring hollow or seem empty
•You might feel a sense of hopelessness
•You might feel like none of your efforts will help you achieve your goals and aspirations
Everyone experiences times during their life when they feel like they aren't sure about their purpose. They might feel lost. They might not be sure about who they are. Or they might wonder if there is some greater meaning to life that they just can't seem to see.
There are many different reasons why someone might feel like they don't know the point of life.
•You might be going through something stressful or difficult that has you questioning what it all means.
•You might feel unfulfilled in your work, school, relationships, or hobbies and wonder if there's something more that you are missing.
•It might feel like your accomplishments don't really matter or don't have much of an impact.
•You might be feeling uncertain about what you should be doing with your life or what steps you need to take next.
People who have depression frequently experience a sense of pointlessness. For many, everything seems meaningless. After all, they might think, what is the point of life if you are not happy?
According to some research, losing this ability to see the point and purpose in life might actually play a part in the onset of depression. Recognizing this feeling and taking steps to combat it may help boost your mood and help you find greater sense of purpose.
In a 2019 study published in the journal Qualitative Psychology, researchers found that many people living with depression felt that their depressive symptoms were related to changes in life that impacted the things they felt gave their life meaning.
As people lost their sense of purpose, they also began to experience other symptoms such as declining energy levels and physical activity. Despite adverse effects on their physical and psychological experiences, they remained focused on the threats to their goals, values, and purpose.
It seems that experiencing events that affect your sense of meaning is linked to the onset of depression. Whether this plays a role in creating depression is a question that researchers still need to explore in greater depth.
Many other factors are known to play a role in depression, including genetics, experiences, brain chemistry, and lifestyle factors. In many cases, negative life experiences may trigger the onset of depression in people who are predisposed to the condition.
Many different things can give life meaning, and these vary from one person to the next. For some people, their relationships with family and friends are what give them a sense of meaning and purpose.
Others might find meaning in their work, hobbies, or creative passions. And for others, their spirituality or religious beliefs help them find the point in life.
What matters most is what you believe is most important to you. Everyone has different values and beliefs that give their life meaning. There is no wrong answer. What gives someone else a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment might not be helpful for you—and that's fine.
If you're feeling lost or uncertain about what the point of life is, it might be helpful to think about what matters most to you. What are your values and beliefs? What do you enjoy doing? What makes you feel happy and fulfilled?
Finding the point in life can be difficult when you are dealing with depression. It is important to treat yourself with kindness and compassion, even when feeling unmotivated or apathetic.
Even when you are struggling to find interest in anything, you can take steps to help gradually improve your mood and find your sense of purpose. It takes time, support, and often professional interventions in the form of therapy and medication, but over time, you can rediscover your sense of meaning.
Don't be afraid to reach out for help. If you're struggling to find meaning in your life, there are many resources and people who can help. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, a counselor or therapist, or a religious leader. They can offer support and guidance as you search for meaning.
Remember, everyone goes through periods where they question what the point of life is. But there is no right or wrong answer. What matters most is how you choose to live your life and what you believe is most important to you.
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1.Desai MU, Wertz FJ, Davidson L, Karasz A. An investigation of experiences diagnosed as depression in primary care—From the perspective of the diagnosed. Qualitative Psychology. 2019;6(3):268-279. doi:10.1037/qup0000129
Apr 9, 2021 · Key points. The end of a chapter in life, or a bout of depression or anxiety can trigger one to feel a lack of purpose. The key to finding purpose is clearing away the obstacles that interfere ...
Jun 15, 2024 · Do you feel empty inside? Has life lost all its color? Discover whether you're suffering from emotional numbness + eight life-changing practices.
- Emotional numbness is a defense mechanism employed by the mind to avoid intense and overwhelming emotions such as fear, hatred, jealousy, and grief...
- As with most issues, emotional numbness goes back to childhood and the way we were raised by our parents. Being abused by our parents physically, e...
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Do you ever wonder what to do on those days where you feel like you can’t go on? On days where life seems to have no point? You’re going through the motions, but there is always an empty pit somewhere inside your soul that never seems to fill.
Mar 30, 2023 · Finding and living your purpose in life will: Increase your well-being and overall happiness. Help you maintain a healthier life and increase longevity. Support emotional stability, according to research. Strengthen your relationships. Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a 2010 study.
Sep 1, 2023 · Are you struggling to see the point of life? Do you feel like you are just going through the motions each day without understanding the bigger “why” of your existence? “The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.” — W. Somerset Maugham
