Optimistic Nihilism: The Meaning of Life Is Right In Front of You
100 one-sentence mindset rules I swear by to persist through absolutely anything
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Optimistic Nihilism
Nihilism carries a negative connotation. It conjures images of despair, meaninglessness, and hopelessness. It’s a philosophical belief that rejects or denies the existence of inherent meaning, purpose, or value in life. It suggests that life and the universe have no inherent or objective meaning and that any attempt to find such meaning is ultimately futile.
“Life is meaningless, but worth living, provided you recognise it’s meaningless,” Albert Camus, a French philosopher said. Nihilism is typically the rejection of religious or moral principles, often accompanied by a sense of despair or meaninglessness. Nihilists argue that traditional concepts such as morality, religion, and politics are human constructs with no objective validity and that people should create their own values and meaning in a world devoid of inherent purpose. Nihilism has been explored in various philosophical, literary, and artistic movements throughout history and has been a subject of intense debate among scholars and thinkers.
Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th-century philosopher, is often associated with nihilism due to his critique of traditional values and his rejection of traditional morality and religion. However, Some philosophers have argued that nihilism can be seen as a positive, even optimistic, perspective on life.
The right to be optimistic about life
“To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
The optimism of nihilism means there is a way to embrace the liberating aspects of nihilistic thought without succumbing to its more negative aspects.
The belief that life has no inherent meaning or purpose can free us from the constraints of societal expectations and allow us to create our own meaning and purpose. For example, if you embrace the optimistic views of nihilism, you may find that the freedom and uncertainty that comes with the philosophy allows you to explore new ways of living and thinking for yourself. You will think of life as an experiment in progress and explore different lifestyles, hobbies, and careers to find what brings you the most fulfilment and satisfaction.
A scientist who embraces nihilism may see the lack of inherent meaning in the universe as a challenge to explore and understand the world on their own terms. They may reject traditional scientific paradigms and theories and explore new avenues of inquiry in order to better understand the natural world.
A philosopher who embraces nihilism may see life’s lack of inherent meaning as an opportunity to explore the nature of existence and the human condition. It’s an idea explored by philosophers, writers, and artists throughout history, with some embracing nihilism as a liberating philosophy.
Nietzsche’s philosophy encouraged people to pursue their passions, embrace individuality, and affirm life in all its complexity and ambiguity. He believed that by doing so, we could overcome the limitations of traditional morality and create a new, more fulfilling way of living.
Nihilism is not final
“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
The optimism of nihilism refers to the potential for a positive and empowering outlook that can arise from rejecting traditional values and beliefs.
One way to understand this idea is to look at the work of Friedrich Nietzsche saw the meaninglessness of almost everything as an opportunity to create your own values and meaning. Nietzsche did not embrace nihilism as a final conclusion. He believed that people could overcome nihilism by embracing new values and creating meaning in life.
In this sense, the optimism of nihilism lies in the idea that we are free to make our own choices and create our purpose in life. Without the constraints of traditional morality or religious traditions, we can explore and experiment with different ways of living. While this can be seen as a chaotic and destabilising force, it can also be a source of freedom to define the trajectory of your life.
Although not a single reality of life, this philosophy can be a liberating and exciting prospect rather than a source of despair.
Of course, not everyone will find this perspective appealing, and it is certainly not without its challenges. Living without a clear sense of meaning or purpose can be difficult, and the freedom that comes with nihilism can be overwhelming. However, for those who are drawn to it, the optimism of nihilism offers a way to embrace life on their own terms and find meaning in their own way.
There is no one “right” way to live
“Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning,” says Joseph Campbell.
Another way to understand the optimism of nihilism is to look at the idea of “postmodern nihilism”. Postmodern nihilists reject the idea of objective truth. They argue that all claims to truth are socially constructed and contingent upon the particular historical and cultural context in which they arise.
It’s a perspective that emphasises power relations’ role in shaping our understanding of reality and challenges traditional notions of authority and legitimacy. Postmodern nihilism also suggests that there is no one “correct” way to live or find meaning in life. And that people are free to explore various perspectives and worldviews without feeling tied down to any particular ideology or belief system.
It’s a liberating and empowering idea, as it allows us to be our authentic selves without fear of judgment or ostracism. It’s worth noting that the optimism of nihilism is not necessarily incompatible with other perspectives on life. Many people who embrace nihilistic ideas also find meaning in their relationships, work, hobbies, or communities.
“For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment,” says Viktor E. Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor.
While nihilism may challenge traditional ideas of meaning and purpose, it doesn’t necessarily mean these things are impossible or undesirable. Instead, it suggests that we are free to create our own meaning and purpose in life in whatever form feels most authentic and fulfilling to us. It’s important to note that nihilism can take on many different forms and meanings, and not all are optimistic.
You have the right define and create a meaningful life
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” — Albert Camus
Another way to understand the optimism of nihilism is to consider the idea of “existential freedom” — a concept that suggests that we are not predetermined by our past or our circumstances but are free to create ourselves and our lives in the present moment. While this can be a daunting prospect, it can also be seen as an opportunity to embrace our own unique potential and possibilities.
“To create is to live twice,” says Albert Camus.
The optimism of nihilism can be seen as a way to embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity of life. While traditional moral and religious frameworks offer clear-cut answers and guidelines, nihilism suggests no absolute truths or moral absolutes. It can be seen as a challenge, but many thinkers argue that we are free to create our own moral and ethical frameworks unique to our experiences and perspectives.
Life is full of complexities, uncertainties, and challenges, sometimes making it difficult to find meaning and purpose.
The philosophy of optimistic nihilism offers a unique perspective on life that embraces the inevitability of the universe’s ultimate meaninglessness while encouraging us to find purpose and create meaning in our lives. Despite the absence of inherent meaning in the world, you can still find fulfilment and joy by pursuing your passions, connecting with others, and embracing the beauty and wonder of the world around you.
“Before you come alive, life is nothing; it’s up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing else but the meaning that you choose,” says French existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre’s emphasises the importance of personal responsibility and freedom, even in the face of a seemingly meaningless world.
In conclusion, while nihilism may seem like a pessimistic or despairing philosophy at first glance, a growing body of thought suggests that it can be an optimistic and liberating way of approaching life. By embracing the optimism that comes with nihilistic thought, we can create our meaning and purpose in life and find fulfilment in our own unique ways.
Food for thought
Life never stop for me, but can choose my speed.
Obstacles are not barriers: they’re teachers.
The struggle I resist becomes the struggle I prolong.
Fear exists to show me where to grow.
Growth isn’t comfort: it’s pushing past it.
Every failure teaches, but only if I listen.
I can’t control events, but I control my response.
I can break any pattern by staying aware.
Rest isn’t quitting: it’s fuel.
I become what I consistently do.
What I fear the most often matters the most.
Others’ opinions only hold the power I give them.
My mind resists change: I move through that.
Self-doubt is loudest right before breakthroughs.
The unknown carries potential, not just risk.
I can’t find strength without facing weakness.
Emotions pass; values stay.
Suffering grows from resisting what I need to face.
The story I tell myself define my reality.
I learn more from discomfort than from ease.
The truth sets me free but rarely feels easy.
I only find balance through adjustment.
People leave, but lessons remain.
I waste energy trying to control others.
Every path has struggle – mine has purpose.
I lose only when I stop.
I can’t grow without letting go.
Discipline builds, even on days I don’t feel it.
I already hold what I need to begin.
Persistence creates life, choice by choice.
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Until Next Week,
Be Well.
Thomas
Medium | All Courses | The Write Life | Philosophy For Modern Life
Postanly Weekly is a reader-supported smarter living newsletter. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $7 per month or $40 for an entire year. With a modest yearly contribution you’re not only helping keep Postanly Weekly going, you also get free access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox (practical concepts for smarter decisions).
This is one of the most refreshing takes I’ve read on nihilism. I’ve always felt an undercurrent of freedom in the idea that life has no inherent meaning — not as a reason to give up, but as permission to define it myself. That line from Camus hit hardest: “To create is to live twice.” In a world that often begs for conformity, this kind of radical authorship feels like the real rebellion. Thank you for articulating this so clearly — it’s a perspective I didn’t know I needed today.
Love this 🙏