Embracing the Absurd: Finding Meaning in Modern Life

This blog, Overcoming Absurdity, draws inspiration from Albert Camus, who explored the conflict between our need for meaning and the world’s silence. He called this tension the absurd and proposed not despair but defiant living: embrace the absurd and live meaningfully anyway. This post reflects on how Camus’s philosophy can guide us through anxiety, burnout, and modern mental health struggles.

Each day can feel repetitive and pointless—wake, work, eat, scroll, sleep, and repeat. Camus described the absurd as “born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.” It strikes when we sense a disconnect between our desire for clarity and the randomness of life. This clash can trigger anxiety, hopelessness, and existential questions like “What’s the point?”

What Is the Absurd?

The absurd arises from a mismatch: humans seek purpose, but reality offers none. Camus wrote that this realization prompts the question of whether life is worth living. It often shows up in our lives as existential dread or depression—where even small tasks feel empty and future plans seem futile. Mental health professionals recognize this as a common experience linked to modern stress, global crises, or the monotony of routine.

Absurdity in Daily Life

The absurd isn’t abstract—it appears in the grind of to-do lists, the repetition of chores, or news of injustice. Camus compares our lives to Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder uphill forever. We may feel trapped in cycles that lack deeper meaning. These moments can lead to numbness, anxiety, or the sense that our choices don’t matter. This emotional state, sometimes called existential depression, can be paralyzing.

Responding to the Absurd

Camus’s solution? Acceptance and presence. Don’t escape into false hopes—acknowledge the absurd and live fully anyway. Mindfulness, for instance, helps us sit with discomfort and reduces anxiety by anchoring us in the present. Enjoying small joys—like morning coffee or a walk—can create meaning even when life lacks clear answers. Camus argued that living with passion, even in a meaningless world, is a powerful rebellion.

Rebellion Through Meaning-Making

Rather than resignation, Camus encouraged revolt—creating meaning ourselves. We can do this through personal values, relationships, creativity, and helping others. Acts like journaling, learning, or volunteering shift our focus from the unanswerable to the actionable. In this rebellion, we find purpose in the very act of living. “The absurd man... knows himself to be the master of his days,” Camus writes—reminding us that we shape our lives.

Practical Coping Tips

• Mindfulness: Ground yourself in the present.

• Journaling: Clarify values and release anxious thoughts.

• Talk to someone: You’re not alone—connect with friends or a therapist.

• Focus on what you can control: Health, effort, relationships.

• Live your values: Do one thing each day that aligns with what matters to you.

• Practice self-care: Sleep, eat well, move your body.

• Seek help if needed: Existential therapy addresses these struggles directly.

Conclusion

Camus ends his essay with hope: “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” By accepting the absurd and choosing how we live, we can find dignity and even joy in the struggle. Our task is not to erase the absurd but to respond with courage, creativity, and care. Say yes to life—not because it has meaning, but because we give it meaning, every day.

Sources: Philosophical insights from Albert Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus; mental health and existential crisis guidance from Verywell Mind, Healthline, and psychology resources.

hawaii.edu pdf

dbanach.com/sisyphus.htm

Healthline.com

Verywellmind.com

Positivepsychology.com

Embracing Life’s Absurdity: Camus and Modern Coping

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.

hawaii.edu pdf

dbanach.com/sisyphus.htm

Healthline.com

Verywellmind.com

Positivepsychology.com

Three Misinterpreted Books that were taught in school

Books or novels convey different thoughts and meanings. Some present the truth, some quasi-truth, while some hold mix connotations of facts and fallacy. However, no matter how the books/novels are packaged and published, they always bear the real thoughts and ideas of the authors. They are written based on the authors' way of thinking, which corresponds to their condition, mindset and situation. Some are written based on someone's teachings and principles. But what if a book is being understood and taught contrary to what the authors convey? Surely, people would think about it differently and misinterpret the meaning of its conception. A good example of this is a book whose author has died without pointing out the real meaning of his/her work. I have read an article from Cracked.com regarding six books that everyone, even an English teacher, got wrong. Here, I am posting three books that were "erroneously conceived and taught" in school: Machiavelli's The Prince, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.


3. Machiavelli's "The Prince"

If you've ever heard a politician or other powerful person referred to as "Machiavellian," you can guess it's not a compliment. That's thanks to a shifty-looking Italian diplomat named Machiavelli. He was bad enough that we turned his name into a pejorative adjective that means "cruel, amoral tyrant."

The reason for this is Machiavelli's The Prince, one of the most notorious political treatises ever written, designed as an instruction manual for the Florentine dictator Lorenzo de' Medici to help him be more of a bastard. Completely disregarding moral concerns in politics, the book serves as a levelheaded discourse on the best way to assert and maintain power, noting that it's better to be feared than loved, and that dishonesty pays off in the long run as long as you lie about how dishonest you are.

What it's really about:

Reflection on Philosophy of the East visavis the West

Every human being is endowed with the ability to "reason". This cognitive act diversifies people's ways of thinking, talking, and perceiving. Because of it, people develop different languages, formulate diverse ideas, and practice a set of cultures. The same is true with philosophy, which is separated from different notions, cultures, and continents. Thus, the philosophy of the East and the philosophy of the West exist.

These philosophies of the East and the West are brought about by their opposite views, traditions, religions, and beliefs, to name a few. The easterners' way of philosophizing is different from that of the westerners in the sense that easterners are mystical. They argue that knowledge is infused spiritually, giving emphasis on nature and the deity. On the other hand, westerners are rationalistic in their approach, giving emphasis on the reasoning process through the senses. One school of thought that is well-known in the West is "pragmatism". Pragmatists believe that truth is that which works or produces a good result.

Both philosophical ideas of the East and the West are classified into different fields, namely Ethics, Theodicy, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Cosmology, Logic, and Psychology. Each has the same fields but is different from each other. Like, for instance, in Ethics, the West gives emphasis on the individual while the East focuses on the community. For easterners, they believe in a personal God, while westerners believe in the impersonal God. Moreover, westerners are more practical to the extent that science for them has a supreme value. On the other hand, easterners are yogic, that is, they base their actions on nature, thus giving emphasis on Nyaya.

There are so many areas where both philosophies of the East and the West dissent from each other. However, no matter how different their beliefs and conceptions are, they do not necessarily contradict each other. They seem to contradict though, but if we try to scrutinize both schools of thought and dig deeper into each mindset, we will see that, in reality, they complement each other.

NB: This short piece was written as my reflection paper on the Elements of Filipino Philosophy during my fourth year in college. Dated Jan. 6, 2003.

Human Values in a Filipino Setting

Values are so basic to human existence. They define what is important, desirable, or meaningful to man. Every day of our lives, we practice innumerable values and make a great number of judgments based on these values. This, and more, is what we can find in the study of human values from a Filipino setting.

On the nature of human values, under the philosophy of human action, there are two things to consider, namely, praxis and poesis. Values are also differentiated into two perspectives. That values can either be subjective or objective, secular or religious, and utilitarian or moral, in the sense that, humans as we are, we tend to put value on things that could satisfy our needs or that might be useful to us. Yet, in this era of technology and the vastness of information, a gap exists in man's genuine definition of values, or human values in particular. Thus, the need for a mediation of human values and critical reflection and analysis of social reality, wherein the Christian values are pointed out, is crucial to man. This is where a Filipino Christian philosopher comes into play. The function of Filipino Christian philosophers is to mediate the gap between man with regard to philosophy or religion and science or technology.

Nowadays, Filipino values are somehow taken for granted in the sense that technology is overpowering the realm of human values. The vastness of technology and the temptation to devalue others may be overwhelming, yet we may only be deceived by our senses. As Filipinos, there is still instilled in our hearts the basic value system & ethical philosophy that is rooted in our ancestors. A concrete example of this is our "pakikisama", "bayanihan," and familialism. Filipinos can easily get along with others just to make our relationship in harmony with them, as well as to make our relationship with the family bilaterally extended to the extent that we are making others part of our family, even those our close friends.

NB: This post was copied from an article I wrote for the Filipino Values subject during my fourth year in college in 2002.

Photo: choosephilippines.tumblr.com