For the longest time, I woke up every morning with the same depressing thought, “Nothing’s going right in my life.” It became a mantra, something I’d think before falling asleep, and it was always there when I opened my eyes. My days felt like they were on repeat. I’d done everything that I was supposed to — got good grades, attended a reputable university, secured a decent job. But the more I checked off the boxes, the more hollow it all felt.
I thought success would bring satisfaction, but instead, it left me feeling empty. I had no idea why.
When I was younger, things were different. Life felt full of energy and possibility. If I failed an exam, who cared? I’d just try harder next time. If someone stopped talking to me, I’d find new friends. Everything seemed so simple, and setbacks were just part of the adventure. But as I hit my 20s, it was like those small, inconsequential things from my childhood became landmines, and I was constantly tiptoeing around them.
Wake up. Go to work. Come home. Sleep. Repeat. And all I could think was, “Is this really it?”
I reached a point where nothing mattered. I was stuck in this emotional limbo. But then, I came across a philosophy that completely changed the way I saw everything — Absurdism.
What is Absurdism?
Absurdism, at its core, acknowledges something we all know but try to avoid: life is chaotic and meaningless. You’re born into a world where the rules are already made, and no matter how much you try to make sense of things, it often feels absurd. There’s no grand blueprint for why things happen the way they do. The more you try to make sense of life, the more frustrating it becomes.
But here’s where it flipped things for me.
Absurdism doesn’t ask you to search for meaning. Instead, it tells you to embrace the fact that there is no inherent meaning, and that the beauty of life comes from creating your own purpose amidst the chaos.
A Personal Shift
I was introduced to Absurdism when I was at my lowest. My first job, the one I thought would be my stepping stone to greatness, vanished. The company I worked for went under, and suddenly, everything I’d planned crumbled. Most of my friends were moving up the ladder, and there I was, unemployed, feeling lost.
The old me would have spiraled into self-pity. And for a while, I did. I binge-watched TV shows just to escape my reality, feeling more stuck with every episode. But the more I read about Absurdism, the more things started to click.
It wasn’t my fault the company shut down. These things happen all the time, and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Instead of asking, “Why me?” I started to think, “So what?” So what if I’m out of a job now? So what if things didn’t go as planned? It doesn’t mean they won’t get better later. Absurdism taught me that life isn’t a straight line to success. It’s a zigzag, full of unpredictable twists and turns. The more I accepted this, the less I felt weighed down by disappointment.
How Absurdism Helped Me Build My Future
Absurdism became more than just a concept — it became a practical tool. With this new mindset, I started a blog. I’d always wanted to write, but I never did because I was scared. What if no one read it? What if it wasn’t good enough?
But Absurdism helped me strip away those fears. “So what if no one reads it?” I thought. At least I’d be doing something I enjoy. So I went for it. I poured my thoughts onto the screen, hit publish, and let it go.
One year later, that blog has over 50,000 readers. People are actually paying me to write. And none of this would have happened if I hadn’t embraced the philosophy of Absurdism, learned to laugh at the absurdity of life, and taken risks even when there was no guaranteed reward.
So, Can Absurdism Help You?
Maybe. Maybe not. That’s the beauty of it. You won’t know unless you try. The idea isn’t to solve every problem or to find the ultimate truth. The idea is to let go of the need to have everything figured out, and to enjoy the moments where life just happens.
Here are a few key lessons Absurdism taught me:
- Embrace Freedom
You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you live your life. You’re not tied to a set of rules or expectations. Instead of waiting for permission to live the way you want, start taking ownership of your choices. Make your own rules, create your own purpose, and stop seeking validation from external sources. - Find Meaning in Chaos
Life won’t always make sense, and that’s okay. You won’t always have the answers, and that’s part of the fun. Absurdism teaches you to find meaning in the small things, the everyday moments that make life worth living — whether it’s a conversation with a friend, a hobby you love, or a simple walk outside. - Cultivate Resilience
Life is unpredictable. Some days, you’ll feel on top of the world; other days, it’ll be hard just to get out of bed. That’s normal. Absurdism reminds you that setbacks are a part of the journey. It’s not about avoiding them; it’s about learning how to bounce back stronger every time life throws you a curveball.
Absurdism taught me that it’s okay to not have all the answers, that it’s okay to live without a clear purpose. The freedom to create your own meaning is liberating. The moment I stopped stressing over things I couldn’t control, life became a lot more enjoyable.
So if you’ve ever found yourself trapped in the monotony of everyday life, or constantly searching for some grand purpose, take a step back. Maybe it’s time to embrace the absurd.
What’s the worst that could happen?