Existential Angst Explained (Because Life’s Absurd, Right?)

The Existential Cheat Sheet: Life, Meaning, and Why We’re All Just Winging It

Existentialism sounds fancy, but at its core, it’s about grappling with life’s Big Questions: What’s the point? Why are we here? And does any of it actually matter?

Here’s the scoop on why these ideas blew up in the 19th and 20th centuries and why they still hit home today.

Existentialism 101: It’s About Freedom, Baby

Existentialists agree on one thing: life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Scary, right? But also kind of exciting. Kierkegaard called it the “dizziness of freedom,” like standing at the edge of a cliff and realizing you could jump—or just chill and enjoy the view. Sartre doubled down, saying we’re free to create our own meaning, while Camus (existentialism’s brooding heartthrob) pointed out the absurdity of it all. Life isn’t about finding answers—it’s about living authentically. So buckle up: you’re in charge.

Misconceptions: No, It’s Not All Doom and Gloom

If you think existentialism is just Nietzsche yelling, “God is dead!” into the void, think again. It’s not nihilism—existentialism doesn’t throw its hands up and say, “Nothing matters.” Instead, it hands you a paintbrush and says, “The canvas is blank—go nuts.” Sure, the universe might not care, but that doesn’t mean you can’t.

From Faith to Willpower: The All-Star Lineup

Let’s hit the highlights. Kierkegaard believed truth lives in personal experience and faith—a “leap” worth taking. Then came Nietzsche, the rock star philosopher, warning that without God, society might lose its moral compass. But he wasn’t about despair; his Übermensch idea called for crafting your own values, like a life coach with edge.

Dostoevsky? He took us deep into human complexity, showing that no one’s purely good or evil. Reading his work feels like looking in a soul-mirror. Camus? He introduced absurdism, where life’s lack of inherent meaning meets our need to find it. His advice? Embrace the absurd. Picture Sisyphus pushing his boulder, not with a grimace, but with a cheeky grin.

Laughing Through the Darkness

Enter Cioran, the philosopher who treated life’s futility like an inside joke. His hot take: live like you’re already dead—because then, every moment is a bonus round. Bleak? Sure. But also weirdly uplifting. If we’re all in this mess together, why not share the load and laugh along the way?

So, What’s the Point?

Existentialism doesn’t sugarcoat life—it hands you the raw deal and says, “Make it yours.” Scary? Absolutely. But also liberating. Whether you take a leap of faith, flex your willpower, or laugh at the absurd, the takeaway is simple: life’s meaning isn’t handed to you—it’s something you create. Now go grab that paintbrush.