What makes a life meaningful?
Meaning as loving worthwhile things and being actively engaged.
Read:
Susan Wolf: “Meaning in Life” (selections or a reliable summary).
https://personal.lse.ac.uk/ROBERT49/teaching/ph103/pdf/WolfSusanne_2010_Meaning-in-Life-and-Why-It-Matters.pdf
Derek Parfit on reasons and what matters (short excerpt).
http://www.davidjinkins.com/other_writings/files/reasons_and_persons.pdf
https://www.stafforini.com/docs/Parfit%20-%20Reasons%20and%20persons.pdf
Project fit test: Pick one ongoing activity; evaluate it on worthwhileness, competence, and connection to others. Adjust scope or quit boldly.
Purpose: Instead of continuing something just because you started it, you pause and ask: Is this still the right fit for me?
Synthesis page: Your personal definition of happiness, three practices that move the needle, one non‑negotiable value.
These are specific actions or habits that reliably increase your sense of happiness. Think of them as levers you can pull when things feel off.
The non-negotiable value is the principle you won’t compromise on, even when life gets messy. It’s your anchor.
Journaling Prompt
- Elevation plan: Pick one potentially meaningful activity; define what noticeable mastery (not perfection) looks like in 90 days and the first tiny step this week.
- Fit tweak: Write one change to raise your lowest score (by 2 points) on worthwhileness/engagement/connection for the activity you picked above.
Ink And Inquiry 