Life’s Absurd, and That’s Okay

Introduction

“Man is condemned to be free.” – Jean-Paul Sartre (1).

Yep, that’s a heavy hitter right out of the gate. Sartre wasn’t all about freedom being a gift; he saw it more like a challenge. In a world where endless possibilities surround us, it’s easy to feel like we’re drowning in freedom. What to do with your life? Who are you supposed to be? And what’s the point of it all?

A century after Sartre and his existential crew (Nietzsche, Camus, Heidegger) pondered these questions, they still hit close to home. With information overload, constant self-presentation on social media, and too many choices, the existential struggle feels as real as ever.

The Freedom We Love, The Freedom We Fear

Radical freedom sounds great, right? Until it’s so vast and unstructured that it feels like you’re staring into an empty void. Sartre, ever the realist, warned that too much freedom leads to anxiety. If we’re fully responsible for who we are and what we do, what if we mess it all up? What if we don’t live up to our potential? This pressure builds up, especially with today’s social media highlight reels. It’s not just “Who am I?” anymore; it’s “Who am I supposed to be compared to everyone else?”

Too many choices? That’s not freedom - it’s paralysis. Psychologists call it decision fatigue, and Sartre would probably call it freedom overload. The sheer abundance of options leaves us stuck in a loop, overthinking and underdoing.

The Absurdity of It All

Enter Albert Camus, who dropped the concept of the absurd: life is meaningless, but we can’t stop searching for meaning anyway (2). It’s like playing a game where the rules don’t make sense, but instead of quitting, Camus says, “Revolt against it!” Life might not have some grand cosmic purpose, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make our own meaning.

Viktor Frankl, a guy who literally survived the Holocaust, backs this up (3). He found that people who found meaning - even in the worst circumstances - were the most likely to thrive. When we can make meaning, we can handle anything. Meaning is the key to mental health, and without it, we risk spiralling into despair. The existentialists were onto something big: without meaning, we’re lost.

Authenticity: The Search for the Real You

In today’s world of digital personas, filters, and influencer lifestyles, authenticity is tougher than ever to find. But existentialism asks the big question: Are you being real? Søren Kierkegaard, one of the OG existentialists, talked about the leap of faith - the idea that we need to make choices without guarantees and that through those leaps, we find who we truly are (4). He wasn’t just talking about religion - he meant all of life.

This quest for authenticity is central to modern psychology, too. Carl Rogers emphasized the importance of being true to yourself (5). When we align our real selves with our ideal selves, we feel good. When we wear a mask, anxiety and dissatisfaction follow.

Embracing the Absurd: Practical Insights

So, how do we make this existential stuff work in the real world? Here’s how to embrace it:

• Make decisions with courage, not certainty: Freedom’s a bit scary, but it’s also powerful. Don’t wait for all the answers - make the best choice you can and roll with it.

• Create your own meaning: Life might not have built-in purpose, but you can create your own. Find what gives you energy - relationships, work, personal growth—and make that your meaning.

• Live authentically: Stop living for approval. Ask yourself, “What would I do if I didn’t care what others thought?” Live in a way that’s true to your core.

• Accept discomfort: Life’s messy and unpredictable, but discomfort isn’t something to run from. It’s an opportunity for growth, even if it’s uncomfortable.

• Take responsibility: Own your life. The power is in your hands. Whatever your circumstances, you have the freedom to choose how to respond.

Conclusion

Existentialism isn’t about solving life’s mysteries or escaping suffering - it’s about facing them head-on and still choosing to live meaningfully. Life’s absurdity isn’t a reason to despair; it’s a call to create, act, and embrace the ultimate freedom of being unapologetically human.

References

1. Sartre J. Existentialism Is a Humanism. Yale University Press; 1946.

2. Camus A. The Myth of Sisyphus. Gallimard; 1942.

3. Frankl V. Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press; 1946.

4. Kierkegaard S. Fear and Trembling. Penguin Books; 1843.

5. Rogers C. On Becoming a Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin; 1961.