Sometimes we notice a small silence that is hidden in the middle of routines, noises, cycles, difficult moments, and happy times. No matter how exhausted, tired, lively, or energetic we may be; there is a silence that emerges from an inner emptiness that cannot be filled… Sometimes it remains calm and sometimes it whispers in our ear: “What am I doing here?”

Although this question may seem simple, it is a sign of one of the most fundamental tendencies of the human mind: the search for meaning. In psychology, this tendency is called purpose-seeking, and in neuroscience it is associated with the activation of the brain region known as the default mode network (Raichle, 2015). In other words, when a person pauses and asks themselves a question, they do not only engage in mental activity; they also biologically begin to question their own existence.

This inner questioning makes even the moments of life that seem meaningless valuable for personal growth. Because conscious awareness turns even the feeling of emptiness into an experience and an opportunity to learn. It is exactly at this point that Frankl’s words gain meaning:

“Even being caught up in thoughts about the meaninglessness of existence, being and life carries a distinct meaning.” (Frankl, 2007, p. 23)

This perspective reminds us that silence, emptiness, and the feeling of meaninglessness act as guides that direct us. Therefore, the question “What am I doing here?” represents not a crisis but the threshold at which an inner journey of existential search begins.

Life’s Teachings: Discovering Potential And Being Tested

Every person comes into the world with a certain potential. Some call this a soul purpose, some a personal mission, and others a tendency of the true self. According to Carl Rogers, every individual is internally programmed to grow in the direction that suits their nature, just as a seed grows toward the sun (Rogers, 1961). This potential does not speak loudly; most of the time it only whispers. Thus, to hear it, one must step away from the noise of the outer world and get closer to the inner voice.

The discovery of potential is shaped not only by inner awareness but also by the experiences life offers to us. Relationships, achievements, losses, burnout, wrong choices, and new beginnings… all are teachings that mold us. As Jung emphasized with his words “A person descends into their depths only through being challenged” (Jung, 1953), difficulties are not merely collapses; they are beginnings of transformation.

For this reason, even burnout is not a breaking point but an initial signal of an inner shift in direction. The processes offered by life do not only wear us down; they also mature us, teach us, and help shape our potential. In this way, a person begins to find direction not merely from a path determined from the outside but from the intersection of their inner tendency, experiences, and awareness.

Determining Direction And Path: Step By Step Toward Awareness

So how does a person find their direction and path? There is no definite formula; however, questions such as “What is good for me? What topics naturally attract me? What are the things I cannot give up even when I’m tired? Where do my experiences push me? In which direction do I truly want to move in this life?” can make the right direction and path visible to us.

These questions activate the regions of our mind responsible for self-awareness and identity processing. The inner direction is not a destiny imposed from outside; it is a subtle pull that we feel within. Although this pull may sometimes look like a random path that life drags us onto, if we listen closely, it can turn into a path we consciously choose. As Irvin Yalom emphasizes in existential psychotherapy, a person is not a passive spectator of their life but an active designer of it (Yalom, 1980). Therefore, our journey is not merely composed of what happens to us; it is shaped by our choices, our awareness, and our values.

At this point, Frankl’s approach comes into play once again: even meaninglessness is part of the search for meaning. Feelings of emptiness, lack of direction, or uncertainty are natural steps in the process of finding inner direction. These are not signs that stop a person but signs that move them forward.

The Question “What Am I Doing Here?” Is A Door

In conclusion, the question “What am I doing here?” is not a crisis but a door leading to our search for meaning in life. Meaninglessness, emptiness, and silence are the handle of this door. The reason we come into the world (our potential), the processes life offers us (our learning), and the direction we choose in the end (our conscious choice) are pieces of a whole divided over time.

One of the most important steps in putting these pieces back together is opening the door of consciousness through the awareness born out of our questioning. This opening allows us to confront ourselves and turn inward without waiting for an immediate answer instead of running away from questions.

Turning inward is the first step to recognizing this wholeness. A person grows not only from the outside but also from the inside, and a life lived with this awareness transforms from an ordinary ongoing process into a journey filled with meaning.

References

Frankl, V. E. (2007). Duyulmayan anlam çığlığı (Trans. Selçuk Budak). Öteki Yayınları.
Raichle, M. E. (2015). The brain’s default mode network. Annual Review of Neuroscience.
Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person. Houghton Mifflin.
Jung, C. G. (1953). The undiscovered self. Princeton University Press.
Yalom, I. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. Basic Books.