The Meaning of Life

[Watcheroftrends]

I am currently at a cross-roads in my life. I've been extensively examining what I should be doing with the time I've been given, and I can't come up with a definite answer. If I had to classify myself, I'd use the term "nihilist" - the belief that nothing is worth being passionate about; that everything is pointless. When I look up to stars at night, and I realize how little of this universe I am... It's hopelessly depressing. I'm not under any physical hardship, and I've been given more in my first 19 years of life than most people will ever have. Despite everything being in my favor on the surface, I am slowly deteriorating from the inside.

I wish I could get people to see what I see - the complexity of my worldview has become so convoluted through the hours I've spent trying to find some sort of reasonable explanation for action that I'm effectively paralyzed. I've tried to render myself helpless to the world - to allow disclosure of its secrets - but now I want no part of it.

I feel inhuman. It's like I'm more of an observer, simply peering through the window of my body rather than residing in it.

If any of you have some advice for me, I'd like to hear it.

 

[Amarok]

Well for starters stop with all the "ooooh the universe is sooooo big and I'm sooooo small therefore life is meaningless" nonsense that's so hip with the young'uns these days.
Just because something's small doesn't make it any less important. There's as much majesty to be found in a molecule than in all the countless parsecs of space out there.

You are alive on a planet - still the only planet we know of to contain any life at all. To be hopelessly depressed just because there's a lotta space out there doesn't make any sense to me - in fact I'd be rather uneasy if the universe were tiny and Earth was a very significant portion of it. That'd give me cosmic claustrophobia, or something.

Having said that I'm not a nihilist so maybe I can't "see what you see". But this depression seems rather self-fulfilling. If you believe there's no reason to be passionate about anything, you're not going to be passionate about anything.

If you want to know what to do with your life... Hell, I'm guessing you don't have any ambition due to your beliefs, so just do what you enjoy for now. And maybe reconsider your nihilistic attitude if it's causing you such distress.

 

[artanis_neravar]

I wish I could get people to see what I see

If what you see makes you depressed and devoid of meaning, why would you wish that on anyone else?

 

[Pfheonix]

Please note, I'm not being sarcastic here.

There is no meaning to life, unless you're a religious nut who actually believes that the great Gatsby in the sky cares about every little thing you do. If you are, do something in the ministry/temple/mosque/temple. If you are not however, get over the fact that you are small. I have the same problem you do. I've never had hardship but I feel like absolute hell on toast. Your best bet is to go out with friends and enjoy yourself. Or, if you aren't in any sort of educational system right now, go for a job and save money. It's going to be mindnumbing. I think everyone can agree that your first few jobs are just for money and are sadly terrible, but save up enough money to do something you've always wanted to. Jump off a bridge or out of a plane - with a bungee jumping group or parachute, mind you. I'm not telling you to kill yourself. Get some adrenaline. The purpose of life is to LIVE. Not to moan about how life has to have meaning or you'll get bored. Pick up music, or, should you find that you're untalented like the rest of us, crafting something with your hands. By some hand tools and some wood and go at it.

This advice would be so much more specific if I knew a country of origin, because if you could legally do it, I'd suggest purchasing guns to shoot. It's damned fun, and you'll find a new hobby.

Whatever you do, don't just do it for someone else. Do it to scare the bored out of you. Thus, skydiving. You won't die. Probably.

In any case, get off the internet. Go outside. Look at the sun, then start rubbing your eyes because you took that command literally and you can't see. If all else fails, drink a ton of coffee and then run around town with a friend.

 

[Nickolai77]

The universe itself is inherently meaningless, it just happens to exists.

But it's your mind that gives the universe and everything in it a meaning. So start using your mind and put meaning into your life and everything you do.

I don't know anything about you OP, but most people have hobbies/interests or ambitions...do those, whatever they may be, find ways of doing them. Be it chess, LARPing or sky diving... and hang out with your friends often, they're good for keeping your mood up and can lead you to new opportunities.

 

[Angie7F]

Yeah, the truth is that thee is no meaning in life.
We just happen to exisist and it sucks.

This is why I am not goin got get married or have kids.

I think it is one of religions biggest crime is to make people into believing that there is a meaning or goal to life.

 

[Keoul]

You haven't had any hardship in your life? no financial or emotional troubles?
Maybe having some kind of hardship would get you to see the world in a different way, whether it be starting your own business, getting a job (I'm just assuming you don't have one since you're 19 and I don't think your parents would kick you out juuuust yet) or finding a nice significant other who understands you.

There is no meaning to life just live long and cheer up as many people as you can

 

[JesterRaiin]

I feel inhuman. It's like I'm more of an observer, simply peering through the window of my body rather than residing in it.

Welcome to the party.
I've been living like this for most of my life. Yes, you can live like this, no, nothing changes it. I'm married, i visited distant countries, tried things most people would find dangerous, or maybe even illegal, struggled, fell, gave up and "conquered". No difference.
No "magical" experience, no words of wisdom, no event changes the default, blurred state.
Things just... flow.

At least that's my case. Like in this saying : "It could have been worse". :]


BTW :
May i interest you with this ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism
I helps to have some philosophy.

Edit :
Something more...
Try to find happiness in small things. A good talk. Tasty meal. Nice view. Interesting game/book. It helps to cope with this silly reality.
A lot.

 

[Bellvedere]

If any of you have some advice for me, I'd like to hear it.

The questions isn't what is the meaning of life, the question is what do you want the meaning of your life to be. We create our own purpose and just waiting for life to lead you will not make you happy. What you need is to make goals.

I know that this might not sound helpful. Your talking about the scale of the universe and how little human ideas really matter in that scope, I know that. Making a long term plan sounds awfully mundane and it can be hard to see how that will help, but trust me it makes a world of difference. This isn't about forgetting the scale of the universe or discounting philosophical ideas it's about giving your life meaning.

If you do have some life goals and it's not helping, maybe your current path isn't right for you or it's not specific enough to be of any help.

This has happened to me and this has happened to people that I know too. I was in absolute denial about making all but the vaguest of plans, so don't be completely dismissive by this suggestion.

When I was in school, my goal was do well in school, finish and go to university then get a job. That really isn't a plan at all and before I had finished my first year in university I did start to feel depressed.

I took some time off, talked to some fantastic people who gave me great advice and was able to come up with some meaningful goals, that took my life in a direction I was really excited about. I'm currently back at university and doing so much better than I ever was before.

If this isn't something that you think that you can or will do yourself, talk to someone. Talk to your parents, talk to your friends, maybe even consider talking to a counselor or psychologist.

Another great thing to do is giving yourself projects. If you've got time, you can get really unproductive if all you do is watch tv and play games. Yes it's fun and I'm certainly not saying that you can't do that, but in addition to that, it's good to make yourself try something different. Plan a holiday, build something cool, find out more about a certain topic, especially if it's relevant to your career or to your study.

Don't stand on the outside looking in, become involved, learn to understand why certain aspects of your life are meaningful and appreciate the efforts of human society. You don't get life satisfaction if you don't work for it.

I hope that helps

 

[Brown Cap]

Try Solipsism. I was pretty confused about existance until I considered it, which answered a few questions for me. Just giving you another option.

 

[idodo35]

I am currently at a cross-roads in my life. I've been extensively examining what I should be doing with the time I've been given, and I can't come up with a definite answer. If I had to classify myself, I'd use the term "nihilist" - the belief that nothing is worth being passionate about; that everything is pointless. When I look up to stars at night, and I realize how little of this universe I am... It's hopelessly depressing. I'm not under any physical hardship, and I've been given more in my first 19 years of life than most people will ever have. Despite everything being in my favor on the surface, I am slowly deteriorating from the inside.

wow its like u took the words out of my mouth... unfortunatly i cant give you much advice about it and im preaty sure im in a worst situation then you are... i just find myself not giving a damn about anyone or anything and i dont think its even a problem just that i dont seem to find anyone to care/give a shit about... so idk if i can really help but i guess you can take cmfort in the fact ur not alone...

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

I used to think like you until I realized the universe doesn't care so why try to impress it? Think of it this way. In 5 billion years the Sun boils the Earth alive. Even if the human race colonizes other worlds eventually the universe itself will die out and all our history and culture will be nonexistent. Now you can take this as life is meaningless or you can take it as you owe the universe nothing.

The meaning of life is what you make it to be. Not what the world wants nor your parents. You choose why you exist based on the actions you take from the situations around you.

 

[Oirish_Martin]

I am currently at a cross-roads in my life. I've been extensively examining what I should be doing with the time I've been given, and I can't come up with a definite answer. If I had to classify myself, I'd use the term "nihilist" - the belief that nothing is worth being passionate about; that everything is pointless. When I look up to stars at night, and I realize how little of this universe I am... It's hopelessly depressing. I'm not under any physical hardship, and I've been given more in my first 19 years of life than most people will ever have. Despite everything being in my favor on the surface, I am slowly deteriorating from the inside.

I wish I could get people to see what I see - the complexity of my worldview has become so convoluted through the hours I've spent trying to find some sort of reasonable explanation for action that I'm effectively paralyzed. I've tried to render myself helpless to the world - to allow disclosure of its secrets - but now I want no part of it.

I feel inhuman. It's like I'm more of an observer, simply peering through the window of my body rather than residing in it.

If any of you have some advice for me, I'd like to hear it.

I guess I feel the same, but I wouldn't ascribe a negativity to it.

It's a matter of perspective. Sure, everyone is small compared to the universe, but then again, why should one expect to be a significant part of the universe? Why should meaning necessarily come from the universe?

My continued existence and generally doing what I want and/or helping others out along the way - I regard that as a massive two fingers to a huge, cold, uncaring, universe.

Or, if merely being personally contented and helping those around you isn't enough, try leaving a legacy of some kind. Make a business or foundation that outlasts you.

 

[AngleWyrm]

The meaning of life is to give life meaning.

 

[Simalacrum]

Regarding the whole "we're so small" thing, I encourage you to watch this video. Might give you a different view on things:


As for the meaning of life, there isn't really a singular answer to that. Life is inherently random from start to finish in every single aspect, and thus the answer to its meaning must also be rather random.

I think Monty Python's answer to the meaning of life is a rather good one, even if it was given with comical intentions I think it has some real significance to it:

"Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

Basically, we are small; so think small. This isn't a bad thing. There doesn't need to be any grand scheme to things; just live by what you enjoy, and go through your existence in peace and happiness. Sure, it may not be grand or incredible, but I honestly think that a simple, quiet life has its own unique charm to it that is incredibly rare in the universe.

As for what to strive for? this was a question that plagued me for a long time too. I often struggled with the answer of what I wanted, what I wanted to be. However, I found I was asking the wrong question. Rather than centring on myself in this regard, suddenly the question "what do I want to give?" popped into my head. And suddenly the answer was clear; I want to make people smile. And the best way I know of to do that is through circus arts.

Basically, think about what you want to give to the world, to society; we are inherently social creatures and we rely on one another to survive. So it makes sense that our purpose of being would be rooted in other people too.

 

[Boone]

I don't know

Seriously though, it has whatever meaning you put into it.

 

[Angie7F]

Watch Charlie Chaplin in "Limelight".
He tries so hard to tell you what the meaning of life is.
I watched he first thirty minuets or so, and decided it was bull shit.
Bu for some, it may be useful...

 

[Lilani]

-snip-

Go out and do something. The only way you'll get anything out of life is if you put something into it. If ever you get the opportunity, travel someplace. Do you have a job? If not, get one. Or volunteer, or get a hobby that requires a lot of time and learning. If you're in college, look for study away programs or internships. I learned a lot about life and people doing the Disney College Program.