A logo for "MODULE 4 SENSE OF MEANING” featuring a silhouette of a human head in profile on the right, filled with circles of different sizes and colors. The entire design is enclosed within a thick circular border. The text "MODULE 4” is curved along the top inside of the border, and "THE ROAD AHEAD” is curved along the bottom inside of the border.

Welcome to Module 4!

In this module, you will learn about a component of emotional well-being: sense of meaning.

This module will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.

By the end of this module, you will be able to...

  1. Define sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being.
  2. List factors that shape a person's sense of meaning.
  3. Recall strategies for building sense of meaning.

 

Click to download the handout for this module. As you work through the content, there will be opportunities to engage with the material through reflections and activities. You can choose to print the handout or type directly on to it. There will also be a space to jot down notes and helpful resources.

Module 4 Handout

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Before you begin the content for this module, we invite you to take a brief measure of sense of meaning.

Click here to take the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale.

Take a moment to review your score in the following areas: coherence, purpose, and significance.

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Were you surprised by your results?

Was one area higher or lower than the others? If so, why do you think that is?

Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

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Next, take a moment to read this module's brief. As you go through this module, we invite you to take notes and jot down resources on your handout.

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Objective 1

By the end of this section, you will be able to define sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being.

In the first section of this module, we'll start by defining sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being.

As you read in the brief, sense of meaning is the feeling or perception that your life is purposeful, significant, and worthwhile. Meaning in life involves an understanding that the activities, relationships, and experiences you have hold value and contribute to something beyond yourself. It has three components: coherence, purpose, and significance.

Yellow sticky note with the following text: experiencing coherence in your life means feeling like your past, present, and future all fit together in a way that makes sense.
Pink sticky note with the following text: purpose is the feeling that what you do is guided by goals that are important to you.
Green sticky note with the following text: significance, also known as existential mattering, means feeling like your life is important; it's the sense that your life matters and will make a lasting difference.
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If you're interested in learning more about the research behind the three parts of sense of meaning, we invite you to explore this optional reading. This research article defines meaning in life and its three components before diving into experiences that can enhance meaning in life.

 

Objective 2

By the end of this section, you will be able to list factors that shape a person's sense of meaning.

Now that you've had a chance to learn about what we mean by sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being, let's shift gears to take a look at how sense of meaning is shaped.

In this section, you will explore factors that shape a person's sense of meaning.

Before you dive into the content for this section, take some time to reflect on your own sense of meaning.

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What factors shape your sense of meaning?

Have these factors changed over your life course?

Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

Sense of meaning can be influenced by many factors, like shown in the figure below. Take some time to review the figure.

An infographic with a human head split into 5 parts with each part corresponding to a factor that influences sense of meaning. 1. Demographics: Men and women tend to report similar levels of senses of meaning but differ in the sources of meaning. Sense of meaning is also higher among emerging adults and older adults. 2. Relationships: Both your relationship with others and yourself influence your sense of meaning. Generally, the stronger your social relationships, self-connection, and self-compassion, the stronger your sense of meaning. 3. Career: Career has a large influence on sense of meaning. There's a bi-directional relationship between the way you perceive yourself in your career and your sense of meaning. 4. Spirituality: Religion, spirituality, and worldview are major sources of meaning. Collective worldviews can also contribute to meaning in life, including. those that are not positive. This is especially true during challenging times. 5. Adversity: Adversity can be both positive and negative. Although it can be a barrier to imagination, hurt relationships, and contribute to a poor life outlook, it can also reshape meaning, resulting in a stronger sense of meaning.

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Then, choose at least two factors to explore in further depth. For example, you could choose to read an article about sense of meaning and career, and sense of meaning and adversity


Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

Demographics

Click here to learn more about gender differences in sense of meaning.

Click here to learn more about how sense of meaning changes across the lifetime.

As part of this series, we asked people to share with us how their career contributes to their sense of meaning. In this video, you'll hear from three people about how their sense of meaning has changed over the years.

Career

Click here to learn more about the relationship between career and sense of meaning.

As part of this series, we asked people to share with us how their career contributes to their sense of meaning. In this video, you'll hear from two professionals (including one of the creators from this series, Kimmia) in two different fields talk about how their careers bring them meaning.

Relationships

Click here to learn more about the role relationships play in sense of meaning.

Adversity

Click here to learn more about the link between adversity and sense of meaning.

Spirituality

Click here to learn more about spirituality and sense of meaning.

As you look at the various factors, think about a person in your life. This could be yourself, a loved one, or someone you work with.

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Think about the factors that may be influencing their sense of meaning in life.

Are these factors different from those you noted for yourself?

Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

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Now that you've had a chance to explore factors that influence sense of meaning and reflected on what factors may be playing a role in your life and the lives of those around you, take a moment to watch this video. In this video, people from different walks of life talk about what contributes to their sense of meaning.

 

Objective 3

By the end of this section, you will be able to recall strategies for building sense of meaning.

Two people are smiling and laughing while riding in a car on a sunny day. The woman in the passenger seat is wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and a headband, and appears to be enjoying the moment. The man driving is also wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Both seem relaxed and happy, with bright sunlight streaming through the windows and a scenic, natural landscape outside.

 

Now that you've learned to define sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being, and have a better sense of the factors that can influence a person's sense of meaning, let's take some time to review strategies for building sense of meaning.

Click play to listen to an audio clip about three simple ways to build more purpose in life.

Take a moment to complete the following exercise.

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List twelve daily things you complete, regardless of their meaning.

Next, identify one activity to do less of, one to do more of, and one to do differently.

 

 

Check in throughout the next week. Jot down thoughts as to how this activity may have helped you change your day-to-day experience of life.

Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

 

Another way to build sense of meaning is by taking time to reflect on what you'd like for yourself in the future.

Focusing on an ideal self, or your best possible self, can increase your optimism for the future, which researchers believe is tied to purpose.

A person with curly hair wearing a white shirt patterned with small black shapes and a vibrant, multicolored triangular earring, standing outdoors against a blurred backdrop of trees and buildings.

Think about your life in the future. Imagine that everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have succeeded at your goals, like you have accomplished all of your life's dreams.

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Now write about what you imagined.

Be as specific as possible — and be creative! Don't get stuck on trying to only be realistic — believe you will succeed.

 

When you're done, read (or listen to) what you've written and take a moment to appreciate it.

Note: There is a space in your handout to complete this activity.

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If you're interested in learning additional strategies for building sense of meaning, explore this article from the Greater Good Science Center.

 

Congratulations!

You have completed Module 4.

By now, you should be able to...

  1. Define sense of meaning and its connection to emotional well-being.
  2. List factors that shape a person's sense of meaning.
  3. Recall strategies for building sense of meaning.