Situation · Yourself
“My life looks fine but feels pointless”
What could be going on
Will to meaning (Frankl): A life without meaning feels hollow however good it looks; check what matters to you.
Midlife transition: A reappraisal of work and meaning fits; check age and recent changes.
Das Man: living as 'one' does (Heidegger): Living as one is expected to fits; check how much of your life you chose.
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): Fits if low mood has run most days for two years.
Having versus being (Fromm): Fits if life is built around possessions and status.
False self (Winnicott): A life built to please others can feel pointless; check whose life it is.
Questions to carry
- In the last week, which moment felt least pointless, and what was I doing?
- Whose idea of a fine life have I been living, and what would mine look like?
Also said as
- what's the point of all this
- I have everything and feel empty
- my husband says his life has no meaning
- I'm just going through the motions
- my life feels meaningless
- why does my life feel empty when it's good