nothing matters :)
It’s easy to get lost in today’s hustle and bustle. It often feels like I’m gasping for air in an ocean of things to do and places to be. Everything feels like a priority and burning out becomes a matter of when, not if. It becomes difficult to pursue passions or to do things I enjoy when I know there’s always something I should be doing, lest I fall behind in the invisible race. Seeing this cycle repeat in my life day in and day out has welcomed the grey cloud of existential dread into my thoughts. I ponder what my purpose in life is and why things are the way they are. The repetitive and tedious cycle of toxic hustle and work culture has led a lot of my peers to question even some of the long-standing institutions and traditions within our nation and the world as a whole. There’s been a sort of existential dread forced onto me and my generation from the impending doom of climate change, multiple financial crises, and constant war throughout the world. So arises the question, what can I do about this feeling of existential dread?
My conclusion stands somewhere along the lines of nothing actually really matters, let me explain.
When considering significance, it’s important to establish a frame of reference. What you choose to eat for dinner has a significant impact on your day, but probably won’t change the course of history. Now consider a cosmic scale, what difference does your dinner make now? You and I are nothing more than blobs of flesh, floating on a wet rock, flying around an unimportant star, in an insignificant galaxy inside a cluster flying towards the infinite.
Now this may seem awfully dreadful and you could even argue makes life seem even more pointless.
What's the point of doing things if it won't matter in the end?
But, what's the point of not doing things if it won't matter in the end?
What if nothing matters :)
Accepting my cosmic insignificance gave me a refreshing perspective on life. When the universe dies it's inevitable heat death, every mistake, achievement, sadness, and joy is erased from all existence. Thus, I get to decide what has significance in my life. There is so much to do, places to be, and sights to see. If nothing matters :), there’s no reason not to have a good time. Work is still work, but it’s also so much more. It’s problem solving and interacting with people from across the country. Scrolling through Instagram becomes exploring the lives of your friends and strangers alike. So treat that morning cup of coffee as the most amazing cup of coffee you’ve ever had. Perhaps today is the start of a new adventure. It’s an exciting world filled with wonders out there, as long as you make it out to be.
“Close your eyes and count to three, that’s how long forever feels“
