No one wants to live a life that lacks meaning — and how we find that meaning is up to us.
However, some people struggle to find purpose in their lives. This lack of meaning often manifests in their speech and behaviour. If you know someone like this, you’ve probably heard the following things come out of their mouths on more than one occasion.
1. “What’s the point of it all?”
Source: Unsplash This existential question, when frequently expressed, can indicate a deep-seated lack of purpose. While it’s normal to ponder life’s meaning occasionally, constantly questioning the point of existence suggests an ongoing struggle to find value in their experiences and actions.
2. “I’m just going through the motions.”
Source: Unsplash This phrase reveals a sense of disconnection from their everyday life. It suggests that the person is merely existing rather than actively engaging with life. This autopilot mode often stems from a lack of passion or purpose driving their actions.
3. “Nothing I do makes a difference.”
Source: Unsplash When someone feels their actions have no impact, it can lead to a sense of meaninglessness. This belief often results in apathy and a reluctance to take initiative or make changes, further reinforcing the cycle of perceived insignificance.
4. “I’m too old/young to start something new.”
Source: Unsplash Using age as an excuse to avoid new experiences or challenges often masks a fear of change or lack of direction. It suggests a resignation to current circumstances rather than a willingness to look for new sources of meaning and purpose.
5. “I’ll be happy when…”
Source: Unsplash Constantly deferring happiness to some future condition indicates a lack of fulfilment in the present. It suggests that the person isn’t finding meaning in their current circumstances and is pinning their hopes on external factors to provide purpose.
6. “Everyone else has it figured out except me.”
This comparison to other people reveals a sense of being lost or left behind. It often stems from a lack of clear personal goals or values, leading to the assumption that other people have discovered some secret to a meaningful life.
7. “I’m just waiting for the weekend.”
Source: Unsplash While it’s normal to look forward to time off, consistently living for the weekend suggests a lack of engagement or purpose in daily life. It indicates that the person finds little value or meaning in their regular activities and responsibilities.
8. “I don’t have any real passions.”
Source: Unsplash An absence of strong interests or passions can lead to a sense of emptiness. Passions often provide direction and purpose, so lacking them can result in a feeling of drifting through life without a clear sense of meaning.
9. “It doesn’t matter what I do.”
Source: Unsplash This statement reflects a belief in the inconsequentiality of their actions. It suggests a lack of personal agency and can lead to a passive approach to life, where the person feels no motivation to make choices or take action.
10. “I’m stuck and I can’t change anything.”
Source: Unsplash Feeling trapped in their circumstances often accompanies a lack of meaning. This perceived inability to effect change can lead to resignation and a failure to look for new opportunities for growth and purpose.
11. “I’m just not good at anything.”
Source: Unsplash A belief in their lack of skills or talents can severely undermine a sense of purpose. It suggests a lack of confidence and self-worth, which can prevent the person from pursuing activities that might bring meaning to their life.
12. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life.”
While it’s common to feel uncertain about life direction at times, persistent confusion about their path can indicate a lack of core values or goals. This absence of a clear direction often results in a sense of meaninglessness.
13. “I’m too busy to think about this stuff.”
Source: Unsplash Using busyness as an excuse to avoid contemplating life’s bigger questions can be a defence mechanism. It often masks an underlying fear of confronting the lack of meaning in their life or the discomfort of making changes.
14. “Nothing excites me anymore.”
Source: Unsplash A loss of enthusiasm or joy in activities once found pleasurable can signal a deeper issue with finding meaning in life. This emotional flatness or anhedonia often accompanies a sense of purposelessness.
15. “I’m just here for a good time.”
Source: Unsplash While enjoyment is important, consistently prioritising short-term pleasure over long-term fulfilment can indicate a lack of deeper purpose. It suggests an avoidance of more meaningful but potentially challenging pursuits.
16. “I don’t see a future for myself.”
Source: Unsplash Difficulty envisioning a positive or meaningful future often accompanies a current lack of purpose. This inability to see potential for growth or positive change can lead to hopelessness and a further loss of meaning.
17. “I’m too tired to care about anything.”
Source: Unsplash Chronic fatigue or apathy towards life events can be a sign of burnout, but it can also indicate a lack of meaningful engagement. When nothing seems worth the effort, it often points to a deeper issue with finding purpose in their day-to-day activities.
18. “Everyone else’s life seems more interesting than mine.”
Source: Unsplash Someone who constantly compares their lives to everyone else’s is obviously unhappy with their own experiences. It often stems from a lack of appreciation for their own journey and a failure to create or recognise meaning in personal circumstances.
19. “I’m just waiting for something to happen.”
Source: Unsplash A passive approach to life, where they wait for external events to provide direction or excitement, often indicates a lack of internal motivation or purpose. It suggests a reluctance to take responsibility for creating meaning in their own life.
20. “I don’t have anything to look forward to.”
Source: Unsplash The absence of future goals or anticipated positive events can create a sense of stagnation. Without things to look forward to, life can feel monotonous and lacking in purpose, leading to a pervasive sense of meaninglessness.
