According to a study
These are the 3 core elements of a fulfilling life
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What actually makes a fulfilling life? A study shows that three factors in particular play an important role.
At the end of his/her life, who wouldn’t want to be able to claim to have lived a fulfilling life? But what is a fulfilling life anyway? What factors make it? Is it money, material things, moments or experiences with loved ones that make our lives worth living?
Everyone probably has their own ideas about it. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that, on average, respondents define a fulfilling life as:
“I want to live my life to the fullest, to have achieved personal goals and to be content with what I leave behind for posterity.”
According to the researchers, this lay definition comes close to the main factors of a fulfilling life. They describe a feeling that has to come from within and goes hand in hand with appreciating oneself, achievements and life as a whole.
How did the study go?
Almost 800 participants, 80 percent of whom were female – 55 percent with children and 36 percent never married and without children – took part in the study. The average age of the respondents was around 50 years.
In the first part of the study, the participants were asked questions. For example: “What is particularly important to you?” or “What are the characteristics of a fulfilled existence for you?” In the second part of the study, they had to rate their lives in terms of these questions and evaluate the importance of various elements such as circle of friends, work and hobbies.
According to the study: These 3 factors make up a fulfilling life
The scientists analyzed the answers and came to the conclusion that a fulfilled life depends on three different core elements. For this, they have given decisive answers as an example for the respective category.
1. General description
A 24-year-old describes what a fulfilling life means to him: “When I imagine that I’m old and look back on my life, I want to come to the realization that despite any mistakes I may have made, overall am satisfied.”
2. Cognitive assessment
Another participant (30 years old) found meaning in life particularly important. She spoke of goals, personal development – also in a professional context – and a certain standard of living that she strives for. At the end of her life, she wants to be able to say that she’s getting closer and closer to who she wants to be.
2. Emotional assessment
An 84-year-old respondent moved primarily on an emotional level. She is grateful for having experienced so many positive emotions such as joy, pride and happiness. A life in harmony and satisfaction is important to her: “A fulfilled life is when you are reconciled with your life in old age.”
These three elements illustrate that a fulfilled life consists on the one hand of the general assessment, but that goals and wishes that each person sets individually also play a major role. And finally, the emotional level is also important. After all, what good is professional success if he/she doesn’t feel any inner satisfaction with it.
The participants drew the most energy from the following 5 categories
- Interpersonal relationships such as partnership and friendships
- A fulfilling job
- Volunteer engagement
- Beliefs like spirituality or religion
- free time activities
Of course, a fulfilled life also depends heavily on the given circumstances of the person. The social network, education, prosperity or financial and health security such as health insurance are all factors that are not granted to everyone and influence the quality of life.
Sources used: psychologytoday.com, geo.de, penguinrandomhouse.de