You make your life meaningful by applying meaning to it.
Sheila Heti
Sheila Heti is known for her introspective and experimental storytelling, especially in works such as “Motherhood,” the critically acclaimed, semi-autobiographical novel that explores her decision on whether or not to have children. This quote echoes her writing’s broader themes of self-exploration and purpose. Taken from an interview with author Natasha Lunn in Lunn’s book “Conversations on Love,” Heti suggests the fabled “” to be a nuanced concept — as she puts it, “[Life is] not just inevitably meaningful as a result of the choices you’ve made.” Much like her books challenge traditional narratives, Heti’s quote upends the idea that meaning is inherent — we must instead each create it for ourselves.
