The Freedom of Nothing

Let’s get one thing straight: nihilism gets a bad rap. Mention the word in polite conversation, and you’re bound to see someone tense up and assume you’re two steps away from a full existential meltdown. But nihilism isn’t the villain it’s made out to be. It’s not the moody teenager of philosophies sulking in the corner, muttering, “Nothing matters.”

Instead, it’s the cool, detached adult in the room, casually sipping coffee and saying, “Nothing matters… so now what?”

Nihilism is Empowering, not Depressing

Here’s the beauty of nihilism: once you accept that life has no inherent meaning, you’re free to make your own. Think of it as clearing out a cluttered room. Sure, at first it’s unsettling to see the bare walls, but now you’ve got space to create something uniquely yours. The crushing weight of “what’s expected” is lifted. The pressure to adhere to someone else’s idea of success evaporates.

In a world without built-in meaning, you’re in charge of your own existence. You decide what’s worth your time, your energy, your fleeting attention span. Do you want to spend your days painting surreal landscapes? Perfect. Want to dedicate your life to perfecting your pancake recipe? Incredible. Want to sit quietly and admire how sunlight filters through your window? A worthy pursuit.

Nihilism doesn’t demand you follow the crowd or chase an arbitrary goalpost made by societal constructs. It hands you the reins and says, “Go wild, kid. It’s all up to you.”

Amusement in the Absurdity

Of course, the absurdity of it all is still present. We’re spinning on a giant rock in an infinite abyss, hurtling toward a future where we—and everything we’ve ever done—will eventually be forgotten. And yet, here we are, writing blog posts, worrying about money, and debating whether to binge another Netflix series.

But absurdity isn’t the enemy; it’s the secret sauce. Laughing at the absurdity of existence is what keeps us going. It’s what makes life bearable, even at times, delightful.

From Chaos, Creativity Triumphs

If nihilism is a blank canvas, then our response to it is the art we create. Every decision, every passion project, every seemingly insignificant moment is your way of painting meaning onto the canvas of existence. And the best part? There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

So, let’s stop treating nihilism like it’s some existential doomsday scenario. It’s not a wall to slam into; it’s a door to walk through. It’s not the end of the conversation; it’s the beginning.

Nothing matters? Fine. Then you decide what matters. And if that isn’t empowering, I don’t know what is.

Yours, Screaming into the Void,
Nuanced Nihilist