Finding meaning beyond pleasure

“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” - Viktor Frankl

This quote has had a deep impact on me. When you think about it, when we’re bored, we instinctively look for the quickest and easiest dopamine hit. Sometimes, we’ll even resort to discomfort or pain just to fill the void. And when we feel lost, with no sense of direction, it’s easy to turn to destructive habits or meaningless distractions.

We’ve all had those moments when we’re fully locked in, doing meaningful work or practicing something we’re passionate about. Those are the times when life feels purposeful, like we’re moving toward something that matters. But we’ve also had moments when we’re too tired, too drained, to keep going, and we fall into the trap of either relaxing or slipping into behaviors that don’t serve us.

When we lack a deep sense of meaning, pleasure becomes the default. It’s human nature—every living thing prefers pleasure over pain. But what’s the opposite of meaning? Emptiness? Nonsense? Despair? Apathy? For me, it feels like emptiness mixed with apathy—a lack of interest, motivation, or concern about life. A hollow, unfulfilled feeling.

So how do we fill this inner void? Most people turn to entertainment or quick pleasures, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s normal. But if we could go deeper—if we could fill it with purpose and meaning—we’d create a life worth living, one that’s more than just consuming or existing.

What gives us that sense of purpose and meaning? Connections, growth, contribution, goals, and reflection. Community plays a huge role, too. We live in a world that glorifies individuality and self-reliance. Those are good things, but they can also lead to loneliness. Sure, you can cook for yourself, have your own place, and take care of everything you need—but who do you share it with? We romanticize the idea of the independent individual, the strong person who doesn’t need anyone to climb the ladder of success. But the truth is, the climb is so much more meaningful when you share it with others.

Connection, contribution, goals, growth, and reflection are simple yet powerful ways to create a meaningful life. The sooner we reflect on these values, the sooner we’ll find fulfillment—not just for ourselves but for those around us.

So ask yourself: Who in your life do you have a deep connection with, and are you contributing to each other’s well-being? What are your goals? How do you want to grow, learn, and become better? Take time to reflect—on your year, your choices, your thoughts, and who you are. When you do, you’ll start to find meaning beyond fleeting pleasures or destructive habits. Each morning will feel like a blessing instead of just another chore.