How We Are Eroding Our Own Meaning In Life

“The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.”
― Woody Allen

“How is it that the more able man becomes to manipulate the world to his advantage, the less he can perceive any meaning in it?” — Owen Barfield

Owen Barfield posed this question over three decades ago, and yet, in today’s rapidly evolving world, his words seem more poignant than ever. As our ability to shape the world around us has skyrocketed, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), I often find myself reflecting on whether we are unwittingly hastening our own existential malaise. Are we, in our quest for convenience, creating lives that feel increasingly devoid of meaning?

Let us take a moment to step back in time — to the 1960s, when the human brain was believed to be neatly divided into two hemispheres: the left, hailed as the logical, rational “science brain,” and the right, celebrated as the creative, emotional “artistic brain.” It was a seductive idea, but over time, research revealed the truth to be far more nuanced. However, over the years we have come to learn that the left- vs. right-brain postulation was unfounded and that both hemispheres play a role in analytical and creative work. As such, the notion of left- vs. right-brain dominance was quietly shelved.

But here is the thing: perhaps we abandoned that conversation too soon. As a psychologist, I cannot help but wonder — why did evolution leave us with this split-brain design in the first place? If the brain truly thrived on interconnectedness, would it not have evolved into a seamless, unified structure, instead of a beautifully complex organ with grooves and fissures? Thank goodness for some scholars, like Dr Iain McGilchrist, who continued the quest to understand the reasons behind our left-right brain division, acknowledging that there are unique differences between the two lobes. For instance, did you know that the right hemisphere actually weighs more than the left? Or that hormones affect each hemisphere differently? These distinctions are not just fascinating biological quirks — they provide evidence of the unique division of our brains.

Biology aside, Dr McGilchrist’s work illuminates something more crucial: our right hemisphere is the engine of meaning in our lives. The right hemisphere is primarily involved in presence, allowing you to pay attention to the present moment. Additionally, it provides you with that deep sense of knowing, that inner wisdom you cannot quite put into words. For this reason, your right hemisphere is the one that provides you with meaning in life. This brought a little “Ahah!” moment for me.

It then makes sense why there is currently such a significant lack of meaning in people’s lives. This lack of meaning is arguably one of the biggest struggles I pick up in my therapy clients–true existential dread! Why are we suffering so much existentially? Why has life started to feel all the more bleak, despite all the technological advances, increased opportunities, and worldly wealth?

I believe the answer lies in two critical shifts. Firstly, we have become a society obsessed with consuming information. We no longer read for the joy of it; we read to remember, to inform, to regurgitate. We binge on endless streams of content — doomscrolling through news updates or falling into a rabbit hole of trivia. In this constant flood of data, we have become left-brain dominant, severing ourselves from the richness of the right hemisphere. We have forgotten how to be present. We think about what we are feeling rather than simply feeling it. When was the last time you truly felt an emotion ripple through your body, instead of thinking about the emotion? We have become distracted, not just from our work or from each other — but from ourselves.

Secondly, with AI tools like ChatGPT, we have begun outsourcing what once brought us meaning. I fear we are robbing ourselves of that which previously gave us meaning. For many, the creative process — whether it is writing, painting, financial modelling, or coding — was inherently valuable. It was the act of transforming imagination into reality that gave the task its meaning. But now, we let AI decide for us — what to write, how to structure code, how to design a financial model. When we remove struggle from the equation, we strip away the very thing that makes something meaningful. We care about what we have worked hard for, we suffer for what we love. I cannot help but worry how this will play out in a world where we are increasingly focused on convenience and ease.

I do not claim to have all the answers, but I do know that if we continue on this trajectory, the fall could be steep. Reconnecting with our felt selves is crucial. We need to rediscover the joy of doing things simply because they bring us joy. To be present, truly present, when we are with others. To sit in nature and watch a ladybird cross a cobblestone. Before you reach for AI to help with your next project, pause and ask yourself: will doing it on my own be more fulfilling? Do not run from difficulty — lean into it. That is where meaning lives.

And while you are at it, quiet that inner cynic, it goes part ‘n parcel with left-hemisphere dominance. The left-hemisphere is surprisingly cynical, whereas the right-hemisphere is overly optimistic (sometimes to its own detriment). For example, in studies, when they suppressed activation in the right-hemisphere, people who were paralysed on one side of their body actually believed that there was nothing wrong with them! Amazing how convincing our brains can be, right? Now, this also applies the other way–your negative, cynical views can be equally wrong!

For the past 38 newsletters, I have remained true to always writing about what comes from my felt sense that week. So, this week, I wrote this article because it is something that I have been pondering about–a lot! Maybe in some way, I too, have picked up on my own left-hemisphere dominance, overconsuming content, and feeling ever so disconnected from my felt sense. Hopefully, by writing about this I will not only free up some left-hemisphere thinking but also force myself to tap into the creative insight of my right-hemisphere, and maybe, just maybe, it will inspire you to do the same.

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