Life's Meaning is Not Pre-determined: Adler's Theory of Freedom

Introduction: Whose Definition is Your Life?

“You should be happy at times like this,” “This is what success looks like,” “You should be doing this at your age.” From the moment we are born, we live surrounded by countless ‘meanings’ that the world has pre-determined. Expectations of parents, society’s criteria for success, and the gaze of others constrict us like a huge net, and when we deviate from those criteria, we wander, asking “Is my life a failure?” or “What sense does life make?”

But Alfred Adler says firmly: “The meaning of life is not determined by anyone else, only you can decide.” Life has no objective meaning pre-determined, and what meaning we assign to life becomes our life.

1. Breakup with Deterministic Views: The Past Does Not Define You

While Freud claimed ‘etiology’ where past wounds (trauma) determine the current self, Adler established ‘Teleology’ where one interprets the past for current purposes.

Power of Interpretation: You cannot change the ‘fact’ that you were poor as a child, but it is a current choice whether to interpret it as “I have no choice but to be unhappy because I was poor” or “I can feel the joy of achievement more deeply because I was poor.”
Not a Slave to the Environment: Adler did not see humans as results of environment or the past. We are ‘Creative Selves’ who draw our own lives using the ‘materials’ given to us.

2. The Trap of Approval Desire

Many people try to find the meaning of life in ‘being recognized by others.’ But Adler viewed this as a dangerous trap to be most cautious of.

Living Others’ Lives: A life lived to satisfy others’ expectations is merely living others’ lives instead of your own. Others will never take responsibility for your life.
Courage to be Disliked: If you want a truly free life, you must not be afraid of being disliked by others. That’s not rudeness, but a determination to choose ‘a life like me’ by separating others’ tasks from mine.

3. ‘The Meaning of Life’ is a Subjective Truth

Adler emphasized, “Meaning of life in general does not exist. The meaning of life is what you give to yourself.”

Self-determination: The fact that there is no right answer in life sometimes gives anxiety, but at the same time, it means tremendous freedom. If you define “The cup of coffee I drank today is the meaning of my life,” that becomes your own truth that no one can deny.
Playing as a Protagonist: Life is not acting out a scenario written by someone, but an improvisational drama where you write lines and clear paths yourself at every moment.

4. Contribution: How to Expand Personal Meaning

Then, wouldn’t being immersed only in one’s own meaning flow into an selfish life? Adler presented the concept of ‘Social Interest’ here.

A Sense of Being Helpful to Others: When we feel we are helpful to someone, we finally realize our own value. This is not surrendering to others, but choosing contribution within an equal relationship.
Harmony of Freedom and Responsibility: The true meaning of life is found at the point of contributing to ‘our happiness’ while maintaining ‘individuality like me.’ Contributing to others for my own happiness—that’s the highest level of life meaning Adler proposed.

5. Dance Through ‘Here and Now’

Don’t see life as a straight line toward a goal point. If reaching the summit is the only meaning of mountain climbing, everything before reaching the summit becomes ‘meaningless pain.’

Praise for the Present: Adler viewed life as an ‘Energeia’ activity that has completeness in every moment. Doing what I can do and enjoying what I can enjoy at this moment is already the completion and meaning of life.
A Life That Doesn’t Postpone: Do not sacrifice the present for future happiness. The meaning you assign to this moment represents your whole life.

Conclusion: Believe in the Brush in Your Hand

The world has no right to talk about your life. Success, happiness, and values they speak of are just their frames. You are the only painter standing in front of the canvas of your life.

From today, do not overpaint your life with someone’s expectations or past wounds. Instead, fill it with your own vivid color: “I will live with this meaning today.” Only then will your life become the most dignified and beautiful work of art that cannot be compared to anyone else’s.

Read More: