Absurdism: The Philosophy That Changed My Mindset

Introduction: What Is Absurdism?

Absurdism is a philosophy that asks some pretty deep questions about life, its meaning, and our place in the world. At the heart of absurdism lies a simple yet mind-boggling idea: life has no inherent meaning, but we, as humans, keep searching for one. This conflict between the universe’s silence and our desperate need for meaning is what absurdism explores.

At first glance, this might sound a bit depressing. Why would someone embrace a philosophy that says life is meaningless? The answer lies not in the hopelessness of the statement but in the freedom it offers. Let me explain how discovering absurdism transformed the way I see life.

The Journey Begins: Feeling Lost

I believe we all reach a point in life where we start questioning the things we do. For me, it happened during a phase where nothing seemed to make sense. I was going through the motions—working, studying, socializing—but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something fundamental. Why was I doing all these things? What was the purpose of it all? No matter how hard I tried to find answers, the questions kept coming back.

That’s when I stumbled upon absurdism, a philosophy pioneered by the French-Algerian writer and philosopher Albert Camus. His most famous work, The Myth of Sisyphus, became my gateway into this strange yet fascinating world. In this essay, Camus presents the idea of the absurd as the conflict between our desire for meaning and the universe’s indifference. The more I read, the more I started to connect with the ideas.

Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus: Life Is Like Pushing a Boulder Up a Hill

In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus tells the story of Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology who was condemned to roll a giant boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he reached the top. For eternity, Sisyphus was stuck in this pointless, repetitive task. According to Camus, this is an analogy for human life. We wake up, work, eat, sleep, and do it all over again the next day, often without thinking about the deeper reasons behind our actions.

At first, I thought this was just depressing. Who would want to live life if it’s nothing but a cycle of repetitive actions? But the twist in Camus' philosophy is that even though life may seem absurd, we can still find joy and meaning in it. Camus famously says, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” The key here is that Sisyphus knows his task is pointless, yet he chooses to keep going. He finds freedom in accepting the absurdity of his situation and embracing it rather than fighting it.

Embracing the Absurd: Freedom Through Acceptance

Once I began to understand this idea, it completely shifted my mindset. Instead of constantly searching for some grand, overarching purpose to life, I started to accept that perhaps there wasn’t one. And that’s okay! Instead of feeling lost or defeated, I started feeling lighter. The pressure to find meaning in everything melted away, and I began to appreciate life for what it was—a series of moments, experiences, and actions, each valuable in its own right, even if none of them led to a higher purpose.

Absurdism doesn’t suggest that you should stop caring about things or that nothing matters. Instead, it encourages you to acknowledge that while life may not have a built-in meaning, you are free to create your meaning. This is where the real beauty of absurdism lies: in the freedom to live authentically without being weighed down by existential despair.

How Absurdism Changed My Day-to-Day Life

Before absurdism, I often felt paralyzed by the idea of needing to make the "right" choices or find the "right" path. I would constantly overthink decisions, worrying about whether I was wasting my time or if my efforts were truly worth it. Absurdism taught me to let go of those fears. If life doesn’t come with a manual on what’s right or wrong, then why not simply choose what makes you feel alive?

In my everyday life, this mindset has been incredibly liberating. I’ve started to focus more on experiences and less on outcomes. Whether I’m pursuing a hobby, working on a project, or spending time with friends, I no longer worry about whether these actions will lead to something greater. I do them because they are enjoyable at the moment. Absurdism has given me the mental space to appreciate life’s simple pleasures without constantly needing them to serve a bigger purpose.

The Importance of Defiance: Revolt Against the Absurd

One of the key aspects of absurdism is the concept of revolt. Camus encourages us to "revolt" against the absurd. This doesn’t mean fighting it but rather refusing to succumb to despair. It means choosing to live fully and passionately, even when faced with the absurdity of existence.

For me, this idea has been a powerful reminder to stay engaged with life, and to continue seeking out experiences, relationships, and moments of joy, even if they don’t add up to some grand conclusion. By choosing to live fully in the face of absurdity, we reclaim our agency. We become the authors of our own stories, not because we are searching for meaning, but because we are living for the sake of living.

Conclusion: Finding Peace in Absurdity

Absurdism may seem like a dark philosophy on the surface, but it offers an unexpected sense of peace and freedom. By accepting that life is absurd and that we may never find a clear purpose, we are free to live authentically. We are free to create our meaning, find joy in the small moments, and embrace the journey without worrying about the destination.

For me, absurdism has been a life-changing mindset. It has taught me that while life may not be filled with clear-cut answers, it can still be rich with experiences, relationships, and moments of beauty. The conflict between our desire for meaning and the universe’s silence may never be resolved, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop living. Quite the opposite—absurdism encourages us to live more fully, more passionately, and with a deeper appreciation for the present moment.