That Mid-Twenties Fog Is Real
Let’s be honest—most of us in our early 20s and late 20s feel like we’re constantly trying to catch up. Whether it’s landing the perfect job, figuring out what we’re passionate about, or just keeping our head above water, it can all feel… heavy.
There are days when everything looks fine on the outside, but inside? You’re anxious, unmotivated, and asking questions like: What am I even doing with my life?
If that sounds familiar, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a book you need to sit with.
It doesn’t promise quick fixes or morning routine hacks. But Book Man’s search for meaning does offer something deeper—something real. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest places, meaning exists. And once you find your “why,” you can survive just about any “how.”
About the Author: A Man Who Lived the Unthinkable
Viktor Frankl could be the one of the most inspiring you can come across. He is the person who lived through one of the darkest chapters in history. He wasn’t just another psychologist or author. He was a survivor. During World War II, he was held captive with other members of his community in Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz. In that hell, he lost everything that he had-his parents, his wife, his family, his future as he knew it.
But even during the toughest time of his life he didn’t lose one thing- hope. And that undying, strong hope became the foundation of his future, a future wherein he would go on to teach the world his lessons of this hard yet hopeful life. Frankl went on to develop Logotherapy, a school of thought that says our main drive in life isn’t pleasure or power—it’s purpose.
Key Takeaways from Man’s search for meaning: Finding Meaning in the Mess
- We Don’t Get to Pick What Happens, But We Get to Choose How We Respond
Frankel cited in the book Man’s search for meaning:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any set of circumstances.”
This quote made me reconsider everything for a moment when I stumbled upon it. It is a constant reminder that there are certain things outside our realm of control—we face circumstances such as heartbreak, failure, or things just not going our way. The truth, however, is that we have the ability to choose how we tackle such issues. That very reaction is where our power lies. While it is easier said than done during turbulent times, knowing we have the freedom to choose our attitude makes all the difference. That tiny space of freedom is quite powerful.
- Suffering is Not the End—It’s the Beginning Most of the Time
Frankl thought that suffering is part of being human. But he also believed a person could learn if he allowed to receive those teachings in his life. He wrote:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
There’s something about this quote from our book, Man’s search for meaning, that does not only sound profound but also connects deeply with our souls if we sit with it. Perhaps you are coming out of a heartbreaking relationship, stuck in your unfulfilling job or waking up day after day feeling life is getting out of your grasp. No matter how much time and efforts you invest nothing really seems to change. It is frustrating, depressing and quite honestly challenging to live like this every day. But this is where Frankl’s message from Man’s search for meaning comes in.
He’s not suggesting to simply accept the pain and ignore and move on. He’s suggesting that when the world around us does not change, the only thing we can do is change the way we respond to a situation. Often, that change in action is the strongest thing a human can do and provide in that situation. So perhaps this is not your ending. Maybe it’s the start of a newer, stronger, and more steadfast version of you.
3. Meaning Comes from Small, Purposeful Choices
You don’t need to change the world to live a meaningful life. You just need to be present, honest, and intentional.
Frankl breaks it down like this:
- Through work (doing something that matters)
- Through love (connecting deeply with someone)
- Through suffering (growing through pain)
That’s it. Simple. Deep. Real.
Why This Book Still Matters in 2025
You’d think a book written 80 years ago would feel outdated. But it’s the exact opposite.
In todays world of constant hustle and bustle Man’s search for meaning is the kind of book that brings you back to your core. It reminds you that you are not defined by your salary job role or your productivity. You are much more than that. You are a human.
Franks through the book, Man’s search for meaning, helps you to question:
What am I living for?
What matters to ME in this fast-changing world?
In today’s noise that kind of clarity is everything.
How You Can Start Living with More Meaning Today
You don’t have to wait for a huge life event to start applying what Man’s search for meaning teaches. Here are some small but powerful ways to bring more meaning into your everyday life:
👉 Reflect Daily
Ask yourself: What did I do today that felt meaningful? Even a kind word to someone or helping your team through a rough patch count.
👉 Embrace Discomfort
Next time something hard happens, don’t run from it. Ask: What is this trying to teach me? That mindset shift can change your entire experience.
👉 Live for Someone or Something Bigger Than Yourself
Whether it’s a loved one, a creative project, or a future you’re building—meaning gets deeper when it’s not just about you.
A Few Quotes That Stay With You from Man’s search for meaning
These words from book Man’s search for meaning are like emotional anchors. You’ll come back to them long after finishing the book:
Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’”
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
“What is to give light must endure burning.”
These aren’t just powerful quotes—they’re truths that land a little differently when you’ve been through something. They’re not meant to be motivational posters. They’re for the moments when everything feels like too much, when you’re in pain, and you just need a reason—any reason—to keep going.
I won’t lie—reading Man’s Search for Meaning didn’t magically fix my life or give me some perfect step-by-step plan. But what it did give me was something even more important. It gave me the sense that I wasn’t alone in feeling lost. That even in the middle of pain, I could choose to look for something deeper. That I could keep moving, not because everything was okay, but because I believed it could be worth it.
So if you’re in a space where nothing makes sense right now, where your job feels draining or your path feels unclear, I hope you give this book a chance. Not to figure it all out overnight—but to feel less alone, and maybe even start building your own sense of “why.” That’s where everything starts to shift.
From Me to You: What Motivates Me to Recommend This book
At one terrible low, I found myself utterly lost. I was directionless, stagnating in a draining job, and endlessly comparing myself to others. I began to question if I was on the right path.
Then I read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
This was not the book that answered all my questions, but did give me something much deeper. Peace. The reassurance that I have inner control, of how I can respond to certain situations, even during turbulent times. That purpose can be found even when life feels like a jumbled mess. It is ok to start anew.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and disconnected—or even as if you are just going through the same repetitive motions, day after day, I truly wish you read Man’s search for meaning. Not because it has the ability to fix everything, but because it might aid in helping you rekindle a part of yourself that you have lost touch with. A part of you that is still strong, still filled with hope, and still capable of finding purpose despite the chaos.
Want to Explore Man’s search for meaning Yourself?
🎧 Prefer to listen while you work or walk? Grab the audiobook version.
📘 Love underlining and scribbling notes? Get the paperback.
📱 Want to read on the go? Download the eBook.
Choose what works best for you. What matters is that you start.
Looking for a Follow-Up?
If Man’s Search for Meaning touches something deep in you, then you might really connect with The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle too. It’s not just about being present—it’s about quieting the constant noise in your head, easing that heavy feeling of anxiety, and learning how to actually be with yourself, here and now. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just speak to your mind, but to your heart—especially on the days when you just need a little peace.
👉 Check out my full blog on The Power of Now here
