I think I get your point, and to thread the needle:
If you look for external sources of meaning (big house, cars) are really just looking for validation. You want others to think of you a certain way.
But if you genuinely enjoy cars, and driving/working on them puts you in a flow state, that’s great.
Most people suffer a lack of engagement at work and should retire to work on what they actually enjoy. If Miyazaki enjoys his art (he enjoys it in the average, looking back, glad he did it after all, like exercise) then of course he should continue. A rich, bored retiree is miserable because they realized they were chasing external validation, which is truly hollow, and can now begin the process of doing what is internally meaningful to them.
Asking whether something is meaningful, in your heart of hearts, lets you sidestep decades of chasing the wrong goal.
If you look for external sources of meaning (big house, cars) are really just looking for validation. You want others to think of you a certain way.
But if you genuinely enjoy cars, and driving/working on them puts you in a flow state, that’s great.
Most people suffer a lack of engagement at work and should retire to work on what they actually enjoy. If Miyazaki enjoys his art (he enjoys it in the average, looking back, glad he did it after all, like exercise) then of course he should continue. A rich, bored retiree is miserable because they realized they were chasing external validation, which is truly hollow, and can now begin the process of doing what is internally meaningful to them.
Asking whether something is meaningful, in your heart of hearts, lets you sidestep decades of chasing the wrong goal.