Meaning in life is an important component of happiness.

Meaning is composed of three elements: coherence, purpose, and significance.

Human relationships are major determinants of the meaning in our life.

Other sources include religious faith, worldview, achievements, and communing with nature.

Finding the meaning in our lives is important. It helps us to cope with life's challenges. Because meaning is one of the three components of happiness, it is no surprise that positive emotions share a robust connection with meaning (King, 2021).

The search for meaning in life may be especially important for Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 29) because a recent survey found that a third of them say they lack meaning in their lives (Senseman, 2026).

Meaning in life is a "subjective sense that one's life makes sense, has purpose, and matters to others" (King, 2021). Arthur Brooks, a professor at Vanderbilt University and an expert on happiness, explains that there are three elements of meaning: coherence, purpose, and significance (Brooks, 2026).

Understanding the Three Elements of Meaning

Coherence means recognizing that the different aspects of your life are connected, not random. This awareness helps you make sense of what happens in your life (King, 2021). To discover your coherence, Brooks recommends asking yourself, "Why do things happen the way........

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