What is Optimistic Nihilism? – Louis Laves-Webb

Embracing the Absurd

Optimistic nihilism deals with the existential concept of The Absurd. Human beings naturally seek meaning, but we live in a world with no innate meaning. We are tiny creatures that live only briefly compared to the universe too epically large and old for our brains to comprehend. The friction between incongruous concepts like these creates a dilemma: The Absurd.

To resolve The Absurd, optimistic nihilism advises us to accept it. It embraces the feeling of surrender. There are many things in life that we cannot control, and the optimistic nihilist is grateful for this. It narrows down what we have to worry about.

The more you believe you have control over something, the more you identify with it. When you think you have a choice whether or not to be depressed, you start to be defined by it. This can quickly turn into your depression swallowing you whole.

Surrendering to depression doesnt mean giving it control. It means you embrace the fact that it will always be a part of your life. Paradoxically, the less you try to control your depression, the more control you have over your life.

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What is Optimistic Nihilism? - Louis Laves-Webb