Contributions of leisure to “meaning-making” and its implications for leisure studies and services

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis conceptual paper summarizes the current research-based knowledge about the role of leisure in meaning-making. The key themes of leisure-induced meaning-making include: (1) identity (personal and collective), (2) creativity (e.g. self-expression through creative leisure), (3) connectedness (socially, spiritually, and culturally; e.g. connections with people, religion, nature, and culture), (4) harmony/balance, (5) stress-coping and healing, (6) growth/transformation (e.g. resilience, empowerment), and (7) experiential and existential aspects of leisure (e.g. “flow” activities). Human’s inspiration for an engaged life is seen as an overarching theme to broadly capture these functions. Specifically, a meaningful engagement with one’s life seems to be achieved by maintaining: (1) a joyful life, (2) a composed life (e.g. making one’s life more focused, collected, and/or in control), (3) a connected life (e.g. socially, spiritually, culturally), (4) a discovered life (e.g. self-identity, self-discovery), and (5) a hopeful and empowered life (e.g. showing a sense of strength). Importantly, research has shown that leisure can promote all of those elements of a meaningful engagement with life, suggesting that there seem to be connections among leisure, meaning-making, and engagement. Accordingly, the paper describes implications of using a meaning-focused leisure practice from an applied perspective.