Being a Nerd…

Coherence – Life makes sense.
You can understand your life as a story.
Your experiences fit together in a way that is comprehensible, even if not everything is pleasant.
You have a framework for interpreting what happens.

Purpose – Life is going somewhere.
You have goals, values, or commitments that give direction to your actions.
Purpose is about what you are striving toward, whether that’s raising a family, creating art, serving others, learning, or caring for the natural world.

Significance (or Mattering) – Life has inherent value.
You feel that your life matters—that your existence is worthwhile.
This isn’t about fame or importance, but about believing your life has value simply because it is lived and connected to others.

This three-part model is associated with psychologists such as Michael F. Steger and Laura A. King, who have written extensively about meaning in life.