Sometimes, life has a way of becoming overwhelmingly busy. Between commitments at work, family responsibilities, and the demands of day-to-day life, you might find that you push your own needs to the bottom of your priority list.
If you live a long time without personal fulfilment, you may end up feeling lost, unmotivated, or dissatisfied.
According to a report from the Office for National Statistics, roughly 1 in 20 adults in the UK reported low satisfaction with their lives between July and September 2024.
While the percentage of adults reporting low happiness has remained somewhat stable over the past year, 7.7% still rated their happiness as low the previous day.
At its core, “fulfilment” is the sense of purpose and meaning you achieve when you align your actions with your values and goals.
While you may initially search for fulfilment through career success or material possessions, you may find that true contentment comes from unexpected places.
Continue reading to discover what fulfilment really means, and some practical steps to potentially help you live a more satisfying life.
The definition of fulfilment tends to change from person to person
The idea of fulfilment is difficult to nail down, and throughout history, great minds have questioned what it is and how exactly it’s achieved.
For instance, the Greek philosopher and polymath, Aristotle, believed that fulfilment – what he called “eudaimonia” – was achieved through virtuous living, which he saw as the key to happiness.
Meanwhile, the Buddha suggested that fulfilment comes from enlightenment, or freedom from suffering and attachment.
Ultimately, fulfilment is highly personal, and what brings you contentment might not do the same for others.
You may find fulfilment in being surrounded by a loving family, while a friend might feel most satisfied with pursuing a high-powered career.
Though, even those who achieve their professional ambitions or personal milestones might sometimes discover that they’re still feeling unfulfilled.
So, read on to learn about five practical steps to secure a sense of satisfaction in your life.
1. Focus on what really matters
Since the idea of fulfilment looks different for everyone, it’s worth taking some time to reflect on what truly matters to you.
You may want to consider what brings you joy in life, the things that excite you, and any goals for the future that keep you feeling inspired. This could include any particular activities, relationships, or aspirations.
If you identify the things that resonate with you deeply, you could then start shaping your goals around these feelings rather than chasing perceived signs of success that may not bring you lasting personal satisfaction.
This introspective approach could better allow you to live in alignment with your values, rather than simply achieving what society expects from you.
2. Let go of the past
It’s all too easy to hold onto any past disappointments, “failures”, or things that hurt you and for these to prevent you from experiencing true fulfilment in your life.
Whether that’s a career setback, a difficult relationship, or a personal regret, these past experiences often shape how you see yourself and the world around you.
If you often find that you dwell on things that have gone wrong, it may be prudent to let go of these burdens.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or pretending these things never happened, either. It means making peace with them so they can no longer dictate your future.
Acknowledging these past struggles while choosing to move forward with your life could quickly free you from any emotional weight that affects your happiness and personal growth.
3. Embrace life’s challenges
No matter how much you plan or prepare for challenges, life always seems to place obstacles in your way.
Though, rather than seeing these as setbacks, you may instead want to think of them as opportunities for personal growth.
This is because every challenge you overcome essentially strengthens your emotional resilience and equips you with the tools necessary to handle future difficulties more effectively.
For example, if you’ve struggled with your career, you could reflect on what those experiences have taught you and use this knowledge to make better decisions moving forward.
By embracing life’s challenges with understanding, you could ultimately become more adaptable in the face of adversity.
4. Practise gratitude whenever possible
Similarly, one of the more powerful ways to cultivate fulfilment is by practising gratitude towards yourself whenever possible.
It’s easy to focus on the things you lack in life, but by shifting your perspective towards what you already have, you could create a more positive outlook on life.
This includes expressing gratitude towards yourself. It’s difficult to feel truly fulfilled if you’re constantly criticising yourself or neglecting your own needs, after all.
Prioritising self-care, taking breaks when you need them, and seeking support from loved ones or professionals could all help you maintain your mental and emotional wellbeing.
These small acts of self-kindness could all make a significant difference in how you feel in your day-to-day life.
5. Be compassionate to those around you
Just as you should ideally be compassionate to yourself, it’s also vital to show kindness to others. True fulfilment may come from the meaningful connections you have in your life, and the effect you have on those around you.
In fact, a study published by the Association for Psychological Science found that repeatedly giving to others helped people maintain their happiness levels, with the joy of giving on the fifth day being just as strong as it was on the first.
Not only can being kind to others strengthen relationships, but it can also reinforce your own sense of purpose, boosting feelings of fulfilment.
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Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
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