I called this blog Overcoming Absurdity because I was inspired by the work of Albert Camus, a philosopher who spent much of his life wrestling with the tension between our search for meaning and the world’s refusal to provide it. Camus named this confrontation the absurd, and rather than offering despair, he offered defiance: live with it, embrace it, and create meaning anyway. In this post, I explore how this philosophy can guide us in modern life and improve our mental health when we feel lost, overwhelmed, or unmoored.
Every day can feel like pushing a boulder uphill – we wake up, eat, work, scroll, sleep, only to repeat. Philosophers call this clash between our desire for meaning and the world’s indifference the absurd. Albert Camus (1913–1960) famously defined the absurd as “born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.” In other words, the absurd arises when our longing for clarity, justice, or purpose meets an uncaring universe. This confrontation can strike anyone, anytime – as Camus notes, “At any street corner the feeling of absurdity can strike any man in the face.” In such moments, we may feel disoriented, anxious, or hopeless, because everyday routines and unanswered “Why?” questions begin to loom large.
What Is the Absurd?
To define the absurd, think of it as a tension: on one side, a human who craves meaning, happiness, and order; on the other, a world that offers no easy answers. We yearn for patterns and purpose, but reality often delivers randomness, suffering, or silence. Camus writes that when this tension surfaces – when we notice our needs bump into the world’s indifference – the absurd is revealed. For example, we work hard to achieve a goal only to find it unsatisfying, or we seek justice and witness cruelty instead. These experiences can trigger an existential crisis: a deep questioning of “What’s it all for?” and even “Is life worth living?”. Camus famously declared that the first philosophical question is whether “life is or is not worth living” – in other words, the absurd immediately leads us to consider suicide or perseverance.
No wonder the absurd can cause anxiety and disconnection. Mental health experts note that grappling with unanswerable questions often makes us feel hopeless or stuck. As Healthline explains, without clear answers or control over our fate, “you might begin to feel hopeless, unmotivated, and unable to stop cycling through the same largely unanswerable questions.” We may lose interest in routines, feel alienated from friends, or worry incessantly about death and fairness. When the world seems meaningless, even the future can feel bleak: “frequent thoughts of death… a sense of futility or helplessness” and the belief that “nothing you do will make a difference” are common signs of existential despair. In modern life, these feelings can arise from endless news of tragedies, climate anxiety, or simply waking up to another rush-hour commute. The absurd isn’t just an abstract idea – it shows up as the dread that our life might be pointless.
The Absurd in Everyday Life
In daily life, absurdity often masquerades as mundanity. We might finish a to-do list only to make another, or scroll social media at odd hours asking “why?” Camus likens our plight to Sisyphus eternally pushing a rock: “the workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and his fate is no less absurd.” The grinding routine of bills, chores, and obligations – repeated without final purpose – can become distressing when it dawns on us that they don’t lead to any ultimate meaning. Likewise, witnessing senseless suffering (war, loss, injustice) while we crave order can deepen the absurd feeling. These contradictions don’t resolve easily. As Camus observes, “what is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying” – meaning, people devote themselves to causes or ideologies that justify living, yet the same passion can justify sacrifice or suicide.
In practice, the absurd manifests as anxiety, anger, or numbness. You might feel anxious about your freedom and choices (“Am I making the right decision? It might not matter.”), or feel alone (“I’m the only one worrying about this; others seem fine”). You might experience insomnia or endless rumination, echoing Camus’s image of Sisyphus in the pause between pushes of the rock – aware of his fate, conscious but impotent. Ultimately, living with absurdity can feel like a silent existential loop. Modern psychology calls this existential depression: a fixation on meaning and futility that makes everyday life feel "too much." If you’ve ever felt “empty” or anxious about the point of it all, you’ve brushed up against the absurd.
Responding to the Absurd: Acceptance and Presence
Camus’s answer was not despair but defiance through awareness. He insists we accept the absurd rather than flee from it. In his essay, the “absurd man” does not cling to false comforts or hope for a hidden purpose. Instead, he “says yes” to life: he acknowledges the absurdity yet continues pushing his rock, fully awake. In our lives, we can practice this through mindfulness and acceptance. Psychologists recommend sitting with the discomfort: noticing the feelings of anxiety or meaninglessness without immediately escaping them. Mindfulness meditation helps build tolerance for uncertainty and angst; over time, it teaches us that we can survive hard feelings without needing an instant fix. In short, being present with reality – including its lack of inherent meaning – is one strategy to weather absurdity.
As one mental health guide notes, Camus himself “argued that the ability to have passion for what could otherwise be considered a meaningless life reflects an appreciation for life itself.” In practical terms, that means focusing on the moment and the journey, not some ultimate goal. Rather than living only for future achievements, try to find value in simply living. Camus suggested that if we live “for the act of being itself,” our life “becomes about living it fully, choosing integrity, and being passionate." This could mean being fully present when you have coffee in the morning, delighting in a sunset, or savoring a conversation with a friend – even if these seem “small”, they ground you in the richness of experience. Many therapists emphasize this attitude too: rather than constantly chasing future meanings, enjoy small joys today.
Finding Purpose: Rebellion and Creativity
Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation. Camus spoke of revolt as a positive response to absurdity: a “lucid revolt” that refuses to be crushed by meaninglessness. To rebel against the absurd is to create our own meaning in defiance of the void. We do this by choosing our values, goals, and actions with full awareness. For example, you might see a daily chore not as pointless drudgery but as a self-care ritual, or take pride in doing it well. Volunteering, creative projects, or any work that feels “worthwhile” can be acts of rebellion. Even if the universe doesn’t hand us meaning, we can pick up our own stones: some people find purpose in art, learning, helping others, or fighting for a cause. These are personal creations of meaning. As PositivePsychology.com explains, relationships and work are often among life’s strongest sources of meaning. Engaging deeply with friends, family, community, or creative hobbies can shore up purpose when other aspects of life feel empty. If a career or belief system falls away, compensate by strengthening another domain: for instance, nurture your connection with loved ones or pick up a volunteer role. In this way you exercise agency – reminding yourself that you help give life meaning.
Set personal goals: Even very small ones can create momentum and satisfaction.
Keep a creative outlet: Writing, music, art, coding—any form of expression can help you externalize and process the absurd.
Learn something new: A new language, skill, or hobby reaffirms your ability to grow and engage.
Journaling: Mental health experts suggest that journaling can help clarify what matters to you.
Break life into daily choices: Ask: what kind act can I do today? What have I been curious to try?
Such actions are the embodiment of the Camusian rebel – we say yes to life by acting in it. Camus believes that mastering our own fate is key: “The absurd man… knows himself to be the master of his days.” In practice, remind yourself that even if the universe is silent, you still write your own story bit by bit.
Practical Coping Techniques
Beyond philosophical reframing, mental health research offers concrete tips for coping with existential distress:
Mindfulness and meditation: As above, practice being present. Mindfulness reduces rumination and teaches acceptance of uncertainty. Even a few minutes a day can ease the feeling that you must have an answer right now.
Journaling: Write out your fears and questions. Many find that putting thoughts on paper diminishes their power and can reveal personal values or next steps.
Talk it out: Share your feelings with trusted friends or a counselor. You might be surprised how relatable these struggles are. Verywell recommends seeking support from “friends and family” or a mental health professional. Talking can show you’re not alone in the absurd and can spark new perspectives.
Focus your energy: Identify what you can control. Stephen Covey’s “circle of control” idea suggests investing effort where it matters (your health, relationships, personal goals) rather than worrying about fate or uncontrollable events. This can lessen helplessness.
Connect with values: Make a list of what truly matters to you (e.g., kindness, creativity, learning, nature) and plan one small action aligned with it. For instance, if you value kindness, commit to one charitable act a week. These acts create their own meaning even when “the big answers” are absent.
Self-care: Depression or existential anxiety can manifest as exhaustion or apathy. Ensure you’re eating well, sleeping, and getting exercise. Simple routines can ground you when thoughts swirl.
Professional help: If feelings of hopelessness persist or you have thoughts of self-harm, seek therapy. Existential therapy is one branch of counseling that specifically addresses these questions.
Conclusion: Finding Joy in the Struggle
Camus’s final image of Sisyphus offers an unexpected inspiration. After depicting Sisyphus eternally pushing his rock, Camus concludes: “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” In other words, even a life of repetition and suffering can be lived with dignity and joy if we embrace it consciously. By accepting the absurd and choosing our own values, we transform our “rock” into something we actively push, rather than endure.
Today’s world is unpredictable and often absurd, but it also offers countless opportunities for rebellion against meaninglessness: moments of connection, creativity, humor, and wonder. By integrating philosophical insight with practical self-care, we can meet the absurd head-on and still find reasons to live. The task isn’t to eliminate anxiety – it’s to live in spite of it, building meaning step by step. As Camus teaches, when we say yes to life and push our own boulders with awareness and passion, we too can imagine ourselves happy on our mountain of days.
Sources: Philosophical insights from Albert Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus; mental health and existential crisis guidance from Verywell Mind, Healthline, and psychology resources.
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