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Although I grew up as a Roman Catholic, I’ve always been skeptical of religion for as long as I can remember. By the time I reached high school, I had largely considered myself an atheist.

I’m not against other people being religious. For many, it provides a sense of meaning and belonging, and recent studies (like this, this, and this) show that religion can improve mental health, including minimizing stress and depression.

There’s no doubt that religion can have its benefits – but it’s not for everyone, and it wasn’t for me.

However, by the time I became an atheist I was very lost in my life. I felt that I still had a gap that needed to be fulfilled for me to be happy. I discovered this gap was a lack of meaning.

When many people start off as atheists, they fall into this trap. They begin to see a world of just atoms bouncing around, and they forget to create meaning in their lives and see the world from a bigger picture perspective.

Here are the main ways I’ve found you can add meaning and purpose to your life without religion.



Build positive relationships

One of the primary places we create meaning in our lives is through our relationships. One recent study shows that a wide circle of friends is key to psychological well-being.

We all have an evolutionary drive to socialize with people and belong to a group or social network. This social network is based on the people we interact with on a daily basis – our friends, family, coworkers, bosses, teachers, and loved ones.

Each of these relationships creates a bit of meaning in our lives. Each represents a different chapter in our story. And each influences how we define ourselves as a person.

By actively focusing on building positive relationships, you take more control over the meaning in your life.

This is achieved by creating positive memories with the people you meet in your life – however big or small – and always trying to focus on creating positive experiences and having a good time with others.

The more positive relationships you build throughout your life, the more meaning you’ll create.



Connect with nature

We often forget that humans are just another type of animal. Today, we may spend a lot of our time inside our homes and offices, but it wasn’t too long ago when we were living outside with nature.

In many ways, we still share this need to be around nature and other living things. One recent study found that spending more time in nature boosts people’s energy and makes them “feel more alive.” Another study found that plants in the workplace can improve happiness and life satisfaction, as well as reduce stress. And a third study found that greener cities tend to have better mental health and well-being.

Being around nature helps us feel more connected with the world around us, and it reminds us that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

You can spend more time with nature in all sorts of ways: you can schedule walks at a park, you can spend more time outside in the sun, you can go camping for a weekend, you can decorate your house or office with plants, or you can get a pet or animal to take care of.

All of these are great ways to connect with nature more and add more meaning to your life.



Be creative

One of the most powerful ways we can create more meaning in our lives is by being more creative.

By expressing yourself through any type of art, such as painting, music, writing, dance, or photography, you can often gain a greater insight into your personal life, as well as communicate your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way other than talking about them.

Art and creativity allow you to experience life in a new way. They also give you the ability to deal with your problems on your own, especially ones you may not have much control over. For example, you could write a song about something that made you sad or angry, and this can often give you more closure and resolution.

Psychologists are just beginning to discover some of the benefits of creativity. One study found that “art therapy” can reduce pain, stress, and anxiety in cancer patients. Another study suggests art therapy may be an effective treatment for individuals dealing with low self-esteem and social phobias. And a third study shows art therapy can reduce depression and improve quality of life for those with Parkinson’s Disease.

These studies likely apply to all individuals. Creativity is an easy way to add more meaning and purpose to our lives, as well as provide us with a greater sense of control over our lives.



Volunteer and give back

Another great way to add meaning to your life is to volunteer and give back to society.

By making a positive impact on other people’s lives, you’re not just concerned with living for yourself, but also living for others. This increases your purpose and self-worth. Life becomes more than just about you.

One recent study discovered that volunteer work can improve mental health and actually help you live longer – volunteers also reported lower levels of depression, increased life satisfaction, and enhanced well-being. Another study found that volunteering can also benefit your heart, by lowering cholesterol, inflammation, and body mass index.

You can choose to volunteer at many places: schools, community centers, hospitals, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, animal shelters, charities, or any other non-profit organization.

A lot of people want to volunteer, but they feel like they don’t have the time. The truth is it only takes an hour a week – and one interesting study found that when you give your time to others, you actually feel like you have more time overall.

Try volunteering more in your own life for that extra boost of meaning and purpose.



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