"When we try to find our way through the world and construct a life that makes sense of who we are and what we do, we often focus on meaning and purpose. These words hold tremendous weight. They can bring both anxiety and relief. On the one hand, the impression that we might unearth a deeper understanding of why we get up in the morning and why we act the way we do is invigorating."
"This is not to say that searching for meaning and purpose is misguided. In fact, psychological research and philosophy across centuries, long before psychotherapy became a formal discipline, emphasize that finding a driving "why" is deeply relevant to human motivation and well-being. So it is not incorrect that we seek meaning and purpose as underlying motivators of our lives. But what we often underestimate is how elusive, complex, and slow the journey can be, and how much practical action must accompany reflection."
"Over recent decades, therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have given meaning and purpose a prominent role. The "acceptance" component invites us to embrace our moment-to-moment reality, while the "commitment" component steers us to live in alignment with personal values. Such therapies can be highly effective. But many therapists and many of their clients observe a limitation. Recognizing that someone seeks meaning and purpose does not automatically translate into knowing what to do with that insight."
Humans crave meaning and purpose and experience both invigorating hope and pressure-induced anxiety in that search. Seeking a driving "why" contributes to motivation and well-being, yet the search often proves elusive, complex, and slow. Practical, concrete action must accompany reflection to make progress. Acceptance-and-commitment approaches combine present-moment acceptance with committed behavior aligned to personal values and can be effective. Recognition of a need for meaning does not automatically generate clear actions, and many people understand they seek purpose yet struggle to translate that insight into practical, values-driven choices.
Read at Psychology Today
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