|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
8 Easy Ways to Make Your Life More Meaningful
By Marquita Etter | marquitaetter.com | Coaching: coaching.marquitaetter.com | Living A More Meaningful Life
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Have you ever had that moment when everything just felt right—like you were exactly where you were meant to be? Maybe it was during a deep conversation with a loved one, standing before a breathtaking sunset, or losing yourself in work you truly love. Those moments hold power because they connect us to something bigger. They remind us that life isn’t just about going through the motions—it’s about making your life more meaningful.
But let’s be real. Life gets busy. Bills pile up. Responsibilities weigh us down. We can end up feeling like we’re on autopilot, moving from task to task without pausing to ask, “Is this what I really want?”
The good news? You don’t need a dramatic life overhaul to create meaning. It often lies in the little things, the way you approach everyday life. Here are 7 ways to make your life more meaningful, infused with the transformative power of adding awe and flow.
1. Seek Out Awe in the everyday
Awe is that feeling when you’re left breathless by something greater than yourself. It shifts your perspective, reminding you that life is vast and full of wonder. You don’t have to climb Mount Everest to experience awe. It can be as simple as:
- Watching the sunrise with your coffee
- Listening to powerful music
- Taking a walk in nature and noticing the details—the rustling leaves, the warmth of the sun
Check out the Shots of Awe YouTube channel by Jason Silva for inspiring content that will ignite your sense of wonder.
2. Slow Down and Savor the Moment
Our world glorifies hustle, but meaning often hides in the pause. Rushing through life robs us of the beauty in front of us. Try this:
- Eat your meals slowly, savoring each bite
- Put your phone away and be present during conversations
- Pause during your day to breathe and notice your surroundings
Slowing down creates space for meaning to bloom.
3. Cultivate Flow States
Cultivate Flow States Flow is when you’re so immersed in an activity that time seems to disappear. You’re fully engaged, and everything just clicks. It’s often described as the ultimate state of human performance and happiness.
Flow happens when you:
- Work on something you’re passionate about
- Engage in a challenging yet achievable task
- Lose yourself in a creative project, sport, or hobby
Resource to Explore: “The Rise of Superman” by Steven Kotler dives deep into flow states and how they unlock peak performance.
4. Share Your Experiences with Others: Meaning grows when we share it
Whether celebrating a win, sharing a beautiful sunset photo, or simply talking about your day with someone you love, connection amplifies meaning.
Not every experience can be shared in the moment, but you can:
- Call a friend to relive a joyful experience
- Start a personal journal to capture your thoughts and milestones
- Post about your journey to inspire others
“Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.” ~ Sophia Loren
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” ~ Oscar Wilde
TED Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Sinek to reflect on how your ‘why’ can create lasting impact.
5. Align Your Goals with Your Values Chasing goals that don’t align with your values can leave you feeling empty
True meaning comes when your goals reflect what truly matters to you.
Ask yourself:
- What excites me?
- What impact do I want to make?
- How can I build a life around those answers?
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ~ Albert Einstein
“The Four Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss offers insights into designing a life that aligns with your values, not society’s expectations.
6. Embrace Challenges
Challenges often feel like roadblocks but can be gateways to more profound meaning. Growth happens when you face difficulties and overcome them.
- View setbacks as lessons
- Reflect on how obstacles have shaped your character
- Find purpose in the process, not just the outcome
Resource to Explore: “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell reveals how challenges form the foundation of every great story—including your own.
7. Prioritize Mindfulness and Reflection
Sometimes, meaning is already present—we need to notice it. Mindfulness helps you tune into the richness of life.
Ways to practice:
- Start your day with 5 minutes of meditation
- Use the Headspace app to build a mindfulness habit
- Reflect weekly on what brought you joy, growth, or connection
“Happy” by Derren Brown encourages reevaluating our pursuit of happiness, teaching us to find contentment in the present.
8. Gratitude Is A Game Changer
When you train your mind to see what’s already good, already enough—you start to feel wealthy, loved, and free long before those things “arrive.”
You don’t wait for meaning—you create it. Every day.
But I’ll be honest…
I didn’t always see life this way.
Gratitude wasn’t second nature for me.
That shifted when I read a book that truly changed how I saw everything—The Magic by Rhonda Byrne 📚 This book was pivotal in my personal growth journey.
It’s not just about feeling grateful when life is good—it’s about training yourself to see the good everywhere, in everything, and in everyone—even when life is hard.
I remember doing the daily gratitude exercises in that book, and it was like something unlocked in me:
- I started feeling grateful for small, ordinary things—my morning coffee, my bed, the water running from my faucet.
- I felt gratitude for people I had been holding resentment toward—and it healed me in ways I didn’t expect.
- I realized gratitude wasn’t just a “feel good” thing—it was a perspective shift that made my life feel richer, more meaningful, and more peaceful.
That’s when I understood…
Gratitude is a daily practice—and it’s the key to creating a life you truly love.
📝 Start Small:
- Each morning, write down 3 things you’re grateful for—big or small.
- Each night, reflect on 3 moments that brought you joy—even on the hard days.
It’s these small shifts that transform everything.
🎥 Go Deeper: Gratitude Video Series
Learn how gratitude shifts your mindset + attracts more abundance into your life.
Gratitude is the ultimate key to meaning.
When you train your mind to see what’s already good, already enough—you start to feel wealthy, loved, and free long before those things “arrive.”
You don’t wait for meaning—you create it. Every day.
Final Thoughts Meaning isn’t reserved for the lucky few with a clear life purpose. You can create it daily—through awe, connection, flow, and presence.
You deserve to live a life that excites you — one that feels full and rich with meaning.
Next Steps:
- Free Download: Grab your Meaning & Purpose Resource Guide for more tools and inspiration.
- Want More Guidance? Access the detailed e-book and checklist to design your meaningful life.
- Coaching Support: Explore my coaching programs at coaching.marquitaetter.com for personalized help in finding your purpose.
Let’s create a life you love that feels deeply meaningful every day.
— Marquita Etter
marquitaetter.com