Is the Meaning of Life Subjective? …And Does It Change with Age?
Is the Meaning of Life Subjective? …And Does It Change with Age?
So… what’s the point of it all?
We’ve all asked that question — during an existential crisis at 2 AM, while staring at the ceiling, or right after watching The Midnight Gospel.
Some people say the meaning of life is love. Others swear it’s career success, spiritual enlightenment, or even just having a decent WiFi connection. But what if the truth is… there’s no single answer?
What if the meaning of life isn’t a fixed destination — but something that shifts, evolves, and even contradicts itself as we age?
Let’s unpack that.
Meaning Is Personal — And That’s Okay
At its core, the meaning of life is subjective. It’s not some one-size-fits-all manual handed out at birth. Instead, it’s something we create, often based on:
- Our upbringing
- Beliefs and values
- Experiences (especially pain and joy)
- What stage of life we’re in
What gives one person purpose might feel totally empty to someone else — and that’s not a flaw. That’s human.
Childhood: Meaning Through Curiosity
As children, we don’t really question life’s meaning — we experience it.
- Running through sprinklers
- Drawing on walls
- Asking “why” a hundred times a day
Life’s purpose, back then, is simple: play, explore, exist. Kids don’t need existential philosophy — wonder is enough.
Adolescence: Identity and Rebellion
Teenage years flip the switch. Suddenly, we start asking:
- “Who am I?”
- “Why does any of this matter?”
- “What if everything is meaningless?”
This is often when we form the first real version of our personal “why.” Sometimes it’s tied to rebellion, art, activism, religion, or proving adults wrong. Purpose becomes a quest — dramatic, emotional, and deeply personal.
Early Adulthood: Career, Relationships, and Goals
In your 20s and 30s, life’s meaning often gets tied to:
- Ambition: “I want to build something.”
- Relationships: “I want to be loved or love someone deeply.”
- Self-definition: “I want to make a mark.”
This phase tends to be goal-oriented. There’s pressure — from society and self — to “figure it out.” But it’s also where many start realizing that achievement alone may not be enough.
Midlife: Reflection and Realignment
For many, the 40s and 50s bring a surprising pivot. This is where we often hear phrases like:
- “Is this really all there is?”
- “I’ve done everything right — why do I still feel empty?”
- “Maybe I want something different now.”
This isn’t a breakdown — it’s a breakthrough. People start shifting from “success” to significance. From chasing meaning externally to exploring it internally.
Later Life: Peace, Legacy, and Presence
As people age, meaning tends to simplify again.
- Family and memories feel more important
- Legacy becomes a focus — how will I be remembered?
- The present moment takes priority: health, connection, peace
Many older adults find meaning in gratitude, wisdom, and just… being. The big questions don’t disappear — but they don’t haunt as much. There’s acceptance.
So… Does the Meaning of Life Change with Age?
In short: yes — and that’s beautiful.
Just like we outgrow clothes, jobs, and even belief systems, we outgrow old meanings. What felt purposeful at 22 might feel hollow at 52. And that’s not a crisis — it’s growth.
Instead of hunting for one final answer, maybe life is about constantly redefining meaning as we change.
Final Thought
The meaning of life isn’t carved in stone — it’s scribbled in journals, whispered in prayers, shared in quiet conversations, and sometimes screamed into the void.
It’s subjective. It shifts. It matures.
And that’s what makes it so deeply personal — and endlessly human.