Are we being too serious about “existing”? Goals, dreams, ambition — there are so many words you have to take into consideration as soon as you’re born and start growing into a “functioning” human in this society. Why? Because society drills into us that we all need to have a purpose.
Each and every one of us is told we have some kind of “purpose” in life. And that's why we’re here. Like, be for real this is what happens when you skip science reproduction class. I don’t know why it’s just us humans stuck on this but I guess it’s not a surprise since we’re supposedly the most intelligent species—maybe a bit egocentric too. But seriously, we all have to have this “purpose”—something that gives our lives meaning.
In these moments, I can’t help but think of the humans who live in tribes in forests. They are humans, just like us. Yet they probably have no idea that a part of their species has built this circus of a society with all these funny terms about finding meaning in life. They don’t follow most mainstream religions, so it’s unlikely they believe in an afterlife or reincarnation. They might? but who knows? Some of them could just be… existing, without any need for meaning in their lives, because their existence is so fragile among the wildlife. It’s a complete 360 from how we live. So, since we humans have very little need for survival, is that why we created a "new meaning of life"? Ugh whatever.
But why do we need meaning to live in the first place? Can’t we just… live? Are we so bored as a species that we decided to torture ourselves with this rigid system where only a few lucky ones (with money and connection but let's call it “hard work”) actually achieve their “purpose” and then we teach everyone else to chase after something too? And these “purposes” are almost always tied to career paths, financial security or helping everyone else (because when I was a kid when a teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I used to say I wanted to help everyone lol).
Back in the day (sorry I sound like my grandma), survival was the “goal”, “passion” or whatever. You hunted, gathered and made it through the day. It was simple. But now? Simply existing isn’t enough. If you do, you’re a lazy, useless disgrace of a human being. We’re told we need to be something, do something important, leave a “legacy.” It’s exhausting.
Society has morphed over time and with all our advancements (for no reason!), the need for survival has been replaced by this need to feel “fulfilled” (how greedy of us). Somewhere along the line, we decided existing wasn't enough anymore. So we created the idea of “purpose.” And while that might sound noble, it’s actually where things started getting complicated. The expectation now is that if you’re not constantly chasing after something, then what are you even doing with your life? Go and die!!
This narrative has been drilled into our heads for centuries. Religion, philosophy, and culture all play their part in making us believe that every single person has a greater meaning to their life. But the truth is, for most people (for everyone), life is more about getting through each day than changing the world (after all, it’s because of us that there’s anything to change in the first place). And honestly? That should be enough.
Now let’s talk about the societal obsession with “purpose”. Why is it that we push this narrative so hard? Is it because without it, life feels empty? Boring? Because if life has no purpose, some might argue, it has no “value”. Maybe we humans are not that special to have value at all. What if life has value just because? Not because of what you accomplish or leave behind but because you're here, breathing and living right now.
Hustle culture is the perfect example of how far this purpose obsession has gone. We’re taught that if we’re not constantly working towards something, we’re wasting time. The pressure is overwhelming. You’ve got to have a dream job, make 6 figures, start a side hustle and still find time to "live your best life." It’s insane! But what if you don’t have a dream job? What if you’re just not interested in changing the world? Does that make you any less “valuable” as a person?
We’ve created this system where our worth is tied to what we achieve. And for most people, those achievements are measured in career success, wealth or some kind of personal legacy. But the reality is, not everyone will hit those markers. Does that mean their lives are any less meaningful? I’d argue the opposite.
Maybe it’s okay to just shut the fish (I don’t curse) up and exist. Maybe life doesn’t have to be this constant pursuit of something bigger. What if living in the moment, without worrying about the future or some grand purpose, is enough?
Think about animals (a reminder, we are animals too). They live, breathe, and survive and they seem perfectly content. A cat doesn’t worry about fulfilling some grand destiny or making an impact on the world. It’s not out here trying to be the best cat in the world. It just is. And there’s something beautiful about that.
But humans? We’ve got this weird thing where we believe we’re supposed to be more than we are. And if we’re not out there "changing the world" or "finding our passion," we feel lost. But what if existing for the sake of existing is enough? What if the simple act of being alive—waking up, feeling the sun, talking to friends or doing things that bring you joy (like spending time with nature, not coating your face with eight layers of makeup)—is the real point of life?
I get it. The idea of life having no real meaning can be terrifying. If nothing matters, why do anything? Why get up in the morning if there’s no greater purpose pushing you forward? But maybe we’re looking at this all wrong. Maybe the fear isn’t in life being meaningless but in our need to attach meaning to everything. I’d argue the fear even stems from us thinking we are something special that is put on earth, so we freak out when we find we have no meaning at all. So to cope with it, some group of “dumbos” in the early days made a life that I (or most of us) don’t even want to live.
Many of you might put me in a box, calling me a "nihilist" or whatever other label you can think of. But by now, you should know how much I hate being put in a box. So, stop it. Our species created languages and after that, we started naming stuff and living in this organized, structured way, which honestly, is incredibly frustrating. Why are we so obsessed with labeling everything, even our own thoughts? Why can’t ideas and beliefs just exist without the need for a label or a box to put them in?
So, what if we redefined what purpose actually means? Maybe it’s not about changing the world or leaving behind a legacy. Maybe it’s just about finding happiness in small, everyday moments. The idea that we’re supposed to accomplish something grand is overrated.
At the end of the day, life is short and unpredictable. We can spend our time chasing after something that might not even exist or we can stop, breathe and let ourselves just be. Let go of the pressure. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to just live. And if that’s enough for you, then that’s enough.
Because when you think about it, your life can just go poof any second. While you're driving, a truck could hit you and you're gone. Your brain shuts off. There is no you without that tiny brain inside your head .And that's it. There are people dying every single second. The next could be you. While knowing this, it’s important to realize nature or the universe doesn’t give a sheep about us. Nothing will change. Our earth has gone through 5 mass extinction events that we know of, and the next one will wipe out humanity. Us. Nothing will happen to this planet. You can say global warming, plastic, etc., but all of that doesn’t mean the end of the world. It means the end of humanity.
I’m only 20. So, just like everyone else, I also had to have this “ambition,” “purpose,” and all that. I wanted to be an astronaut because I thought flying in outer space was something I could do if I wanted. My tiny brain didn’t understand there’s a whole process going on and it’s not easily achievable. Then, I had to change my ambition to something more realistic—so I wanted to be a lawyer. Because that's a respectable profession, right? At least, that's how it’s showcased in movies and stuff. That lasted until I was about 18 and then something clicked. Why? Why did I want to be a lawyer? Bringing justice? What even is that? Working for something we humans entirely made up? Consequences to our actions? And then, one day, I simply chose not to become a lawyer.
Now, I’m studying economics because I can hit 2 birds with 1 stone. I want to understand the connection between money and human behavior. 99% of people think they know what economics is, but it’s the most misunderstood field in the world. It's literally the basis for our modern society. Money is everything, so to understand it, I decided to study it. Because apparently, I need a “degree” to get a “job”, according to “society”. So I wanted to follow what society says to study how stupid our society is. If I’m going to make money, I want to do it by studying it.
And I want to use that money to do something I love—or “life goal,” you could say, which is understanding the universe. I'm a human (it's sad that i need to link the meaning because we’ve forgotten who we really are), after all. So, none of my life plans involve society's shallow views of “passion,” “goals,” “ambition” and “dreams.” I consider myself “smart” because as much as I hate how society works, I’m also smart enough to use it to my benefit. I know I’m not capable of “unsocietying” myself and living in a forest like the old days because my body wouldn't adapt to it or built for that.
So, I’m not being a part of society while still being a part of it. That’s a win for me. I can still make money while ditching all this nonsense. (hope my future employer doesn’t come across this hehe)
Life's too short to stress over a “meaning.” Let’s chill a bit and just exist, because honestly, that might just be enough.
ps: Also can we stop with the age talk and the whole timeline of what to do when?! It's super annoying.