We are drowning in convenience but starving for purpose. We have more technology, entertainment and opportunity than any generation before us, yet millions wake up each morning feeling empty. Why?

In an era of unprecedented comfort, technological advancement and connectivity, why do so many of us feel lost? Why has the struggle for meaning more than doubled since the 1980s? Viktor Frankl called this phenomenon the existential vacuum ‘a pervasive sense of emptiness and purposelessness’. Today, that vacuum seems deeper than ever.

We Have More Yet Feel Less

We live in an age of abundance. Information, entertainment and social connections are available at the tap of a screen. We have more choices, more opportunities and more ways to curate our lives than any previous generation. Yet, paradoxically, studies show that more people feel a lack of meaning in their lives than ever before.

In Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl warned of this crisis:

"Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for."

Today’s research confirms this. A 2023 study found that nearly 60% of young adults reported experiencing little or no meaning in their lives in the previous month. That’s a staggering increase from the 30% Frankl referenced decades ago.

So, what’s behind this crisis?

Why Do So Many Struggle with Meaning Today?

There is no single answer but several cultural and societal shifts have deepened this sense of existential emptiness:

• The Decline of Traditional Meaning-Makers
  Religion, community and stable social structures once provided built-in meaning. Their decline leaves many searching for purpose without a guiding framework.

• Hyper-Individualism
  The rise of self-reliance has its benefits but it also means we’re now solely responsible for crafting our life’s meaning, an overwhelming task for many.

• The Comparison Trap
  Social media bombards us with curated success stories, fuelling dissatisfaction and making us question our own path.

• The Dissolution of Stable Career Paths
  Work has long been a major source of identity and purpose, but with the rise of gig work, AI and economic uncertainty, traditional career driven fulfilment is harder to attain.

• The Mental Health Epidemic
  Anxiety, depression and loneliness are at all-time highs, particularly among younger generations, conditions that often correlate with a loss of meaning.

• The Fragmentation of Shared Narratives
  Past generations found purpose in collective struggles - wars, movements, religious revivals. Today’s fractured media landscape makes it harder to find a unifying purpose.

The Search for Meaning in an Age of Disconnection

If we have the means but lack the meaning, how do we fill the void? Frankl’s answer was clear: meaning is not something we wait to find, it is something we create. He identified three core paths to meaning:

• Through Work or Creativity
  Engaging in meaningful pursuits that contribute to something beyond ourselves.

• Through Love and Connection
  Deep, authentic relationships with others.

• Through Suffering and Growth
  Finding purpose even in hardship by reframing struggles as opportunities for growth.

At Extrology, our mission is to provide insights and inspiration for a life of purpose. We believe meaning is not just a philosophical question but a practical, everyday pursuit.

How to Build Meaning in Your Own Life

If you’re feeling lost or struggling with meaning, there are steps you can take to begin creating a more purposeful life.

1. Focus on Creating Rather Than Consuming

Many of us passively consume, whether it's social media, Netflix or endless news cycles, but meaning often comes from creating something rather than simply taking things in.

Try setting a small goal each day to make something of your own. It could be writing a journal entry, preparing a new dish, sketching an idea, starting a blog or problem-solving at work. Even the smallest act of creation helps build a sense of purpose.

2. Prioritise Deep Relationships

Loneliness and disconnection contribute heavily to a lack of meaning. It is easy to get caught up in surface-level interactions online rather than making the effort to connect deeply.

Make time for meaningful conversations. Try arranging a face-to-face or voice-to-voice chat with a friend, mentor or loved one each week. A handwritten letter or voice note can also be a powerful way to strengthen relationships.

3. Shift the Focus to Helping Others

Research shows that contributing to something beyond ourselves gives life more meaning. This does not have to mean grand gestures - small acts of kindness and service count just as much.

Look for simple ways to help, whether that is mentoring someone, volunteering or just making someone’s day a little better. A useful question to ask yourself each morning is: What is one thing I can do today that will make a positive difference to someone else?

4. Reframe Challenges as Growth Opportunities

Frankl’s core insight was that meaning can be found even in suffering. Instead of seeing difficulties as purely negative, consider what lessons they might hold.

When faced with a challenge, take a moment to reflect on what it could teach you. Ask yourself: How is this shaping me? What strength am I building from this? Shifting perspective in this way can make struggles feel more purposeful.

5. Write Your Own Meaning Statement

Rather than waiting for meaning to appear, actively shape it by defining what gives your life purpose.

Take a moment to reflect and write down answers to these prompts:

• The things that make me feel most alive are...

• I feel most fulfilled when I am...

• If I had no fear of failure, I would...

Once you have some clarity, choose one small step that aligns with these answers and move towards it.

6. Create Your Own Daily Rituals

Throughout history, rituals have helped people cultivate meaning. Modern life often lacks these moments of grounding.

Try developing a simple practice that brings you a sense of purpose each day. It could be a morning gratitude reflection, an evening walk without distractions or a moment before bed to consider what gave your day meaning. The key is consistency - small, repeated actions shape the bigger picture over time.

Meaning is Built One Step at a Time

Finding meaning is not an instant transformation, it is something we shape through daily choices and small actions. The existential vacuum is real but it does not have to be a permanent state.

If you are struggling, start small. Pick one thing from the list above and commit to trying it for a week. The smallest shift today can spark a profound change in your future.

Which of these ideas speaks to you most? Share your thoughts in the comments or continue the conversation with us at Extrology.