Embracing the Void: The Liberating Path of Positive Nihilism
Imagine standing at the edge of an abyss, peering into the void. Been there, done that. Probably you too.
Now, imagine seeing that void not as a pit of despair but as a blank canvas, ripe with potential. This is the essence of positive nihilism, a philosophy that whispers, “Nothing matters, you might as well write your own story, be productive and do something positive.”
It’s a gentle nudge reminding us that in the grand scheme of the universe, not only all positive things, our friends and family, but more importantly our worries, fears, and societal pressures are but specks of dust. Yet, instead of spiraling into despair over it all, this realization can be incredibly freeing.
For years, I dragged myself through the mire of depression, my dreams of becoming a writer shackled by the chains of anxiety, imposter syndrome, lack of focus and the ultimate question of “what’s the point?” The world seemed to echo back, “None whatsoever,” and for a time, that echo was a source of despair. But then, after reading a whole lot of Nietzsche and drinking way too much mushroom-coffee, I “made up” (and later found out something like it already exists and is talked about) the concept of positive nihilism.