We wake up, we eat, we work, we sleep. The sun rises, the sun sets. Days repeat like clockwork, and life starts to feel like a pattern we're trapped in—predictable, quiet, almost mechanical. We laugh, we cry, we love, we lose. And in the end, we vanish. No lasting trace, no guaranteed purpose. Just a life that moved forward, then stopped.
It’s in this stillness, this repetition, that a heavy question forms: What if none of it truly matters?
What if meaning is just something we invented to make peace with the silence of the universe?
This is where nihilism quietly enters—not as a loud rebellion, but as a soft, unsettling whisper. A belief that life has no inherent meaning, no divine script, no grand purpose written in the stars. And for those who’ve paused long enough to stare at the void and feel its indifference, nihilism doesn’t feel like philosophy. It feels like the truth.
This question is at the heart of nihilism—the belief that life has no real meaning, purpose, or value.
In the grand scale of the universe, nothing matters. There are billions of galaxies out there, each with countless stars and planets. We’re just a tiny dot, floating in a small corner of space. Stars are born and destroyed. Whole species appear and vanish without a trace. Planets spin in silence, not caring who lives or dies on them. There’s no special reason we’re here. We live, we struggle, and then we’re gone—just like everything else. No one’s watching. No higher plan. Just a cold, endless space where things happen, and then they don’t.
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
- William Shakespeare
He says that Life is like a walking shadow—something that appears real but has no substance or lasting presence. It’s like a poor actor who proudly and anxiously performs on stage for a short time (“his hour upon the stage”), but then disappears and is forgotten. Life is compared to a story (“a tale told by an idiot”) that’s noisy and full of strong emotions (“full of sound and fury”), but in the end, it means nothing (“signifying nothing”).
In short, Shakespeare is expressing how life can feel dramatic and intense but ultimately fleeting and meaningless.
Common Signs of Nihilism
- Feeling like life has no meaning.
- Not caring about anything, including morals.
- Feeling numb or empty inside.
- Losing interest in goals or relationships.
- Thinking that nothing matters in the end.
- Doubting or rejecting beliefs and values.
- Feeling hopeless about the future.
Real-Life Examples of Nihilism
- The Rebel Philosopher: A college student reads a lot of philosophy, gets disillusioned, and dismisses school and work as meaningless.
- The Burned-Out Artist: Once passionate, the artist stops creating, saying, “What’s the point? Nothing lasts forever.”
- The Silent Astronaut: Looking at the endless space, the astronaut whispers, “We’re just tiny dust in a cold, uncaring universe.”
- The Joker-Type Character: A chaotic figure causes trouble because they believe “there’s only chaos, no real order or meaning.”
- The Love Skeptic: After heartbreak, a woman says, “Love is just hormones and habit; we all die alone anyway.”
- The Disillusioned Soldier: After the war, he says, “We fought, we killed, we lost friends… and for what? Nothing changed.”
- The Abandoned Child: Growing up unloved, she quietly tells herself, “Maybe nothing matters—not even me.”
- The Overthinker in Love: He stares at his phone and says, “Even if she loves me now, one day she’ll stop. Everything fades.”
- The Terminal Patient: Facing death, he whispers, “We live, we strive, and then we vanish. Like we were never here.”
- The Philosopher in Solitude: She closes her book and smiles faintly, “Maybe the search for meaning is the only meaning we’ll ever have.”
“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”, written by Nietzsche, the father of nihilism, doesn’t just mean God died. It means that people no longer believe in the old ideas and values, like religion, that used to give life meaning and purpose. Those beliefs have lost their power, and we are the ones who moved away from them. This creates a world where meaning feels lost, which is the core of nihilism.
Every person carries a unique lens through which they view the world, especially during uncertain moments like waiting for results, facing failure, or making big decisions. Some believe everything happens for a reason, others trust logic, some doubt everything, and a few just go with the flow.
By identifying the mind-set we lean toward, we gain clarity about our inner world. It helps us notice patterns in how we handle hope, fear, success, and disappointment. Understanding this can be the first step toward growing, shifting perspectives, or simply being kinder to ourselves.
1) Optimist:
“I think I did well. I’ll probably get the job!”
(Hopes for the best, expects a positive outcome.)
2) Pessimist:
“I probably messed it up. I don’t think I’ll get the job.”
(Expects the worst, even without evidence.)
3) Cynic:
“They probably already decided to hire someone they know. These interviews are just for show.”
(Distrusts intentions, believes in hidden agendas.)
4) Apathetic:
”I don’t care if I get the job or not.”
(Emotionally disengaged, shows indifference.)
5) Fatalist:
“If I’m meant to get the job, I will. If not, I won’t. Nothing I do can change it.”
(Believes fate is fixed, so effort doesn’t matter.)
6) Determinist:
“Whether I get it or not depends on my background, education, and environment—things I didn’t choose.”
(Believes cause-and-effect shapes life, though effort still plays a role.)
7) Illusionist (Free Will Skeptic):
“I felt like I chose to apply and perform well, but maybe all of it was just how my brain is wired.”
(Questions free will, believes choices are illusions.)
8) Realist:
”I gave my best. There’s a chance I’ll get it, but there’s also a chance I won’t. Let’s wait and see.”
(Sees things objectively, without over- or underestimating.)
9) Idealist:
“If the world were fair, people would be hired based on talent and passion, not connections.”
(Focuses on how things should be, guided by values.)
10) Stoic:
”I can’t control the result. I’ll stay calm and focus on what I can do next.”
(Manages emotions, accepts what’s beyond control.)
11) Existentialist:
“Whether I get the job or not doesn’t define me. I’ll find or create meaning in whatever I do.”
(Believes we create our own meaning, not defined by roles.)
12) Absurdist:
“It’s crazy how we all chase meaning in a world that gives none—but I’m still gonna keep trying.”
(Accepts life’s meaninglessness, but chooses to live fully.)
13) Nihilist:
“Getting a job, not getting a job—none of it really matters in the end.”
(Believes nothing truly matters, no inherent value.)
14) Hopeful (Different from Optimist – more emotional trust than expectation):
“Maybe I don’t know what will happen, but I believe good things are ahead.”
(Holds faith in improvement, even without evidence.)
15) Pragmatist:
“What works best now? I’ll apply, prepare well, and follow up if needed.”
(Focuses on practical solutions, not just beliefs.)
16) Perfectionist:
”I stumbled on one question. That probably ruined my whole interview.”
(Sets unrealistically high standards, and focuses on flaws.)
17) Romantic (Idealism + Passion):
“I dream of doing work that inspires my soul, not just any job.”
(Guided by passion or beauty, not always realistic.)
18) Humanist:
“No matter the outcome, I’ve grown from this experience. Everyone deserves meaningful work.”
(Emphasizes personal growth and human dignity.)
19) Existential Optimist (A blend of meaning-making + hope):
“Even in an uncertain world, I choose to believe I can create something valuable.”
(Combines existential freedom with hopeful action.)
20) Skeptic (Less harsh than cynic):
“The whole hiring process seems flawed. Can I really trust it’s fair?”
(Question systems or claims, not necessarily assuming the worst.)
21) Rationalist:
“Let me look at the facts. My experience matches the job. I answered clearly. I have a solid chance.”
(Trusts logic and reason, makes balanced conclusions.)
22) Altruist:
“Whether I get the job or not, I hope the position goes to someone who truly needs it.”
(Thinks of others’ well-being, not just personal gain.)
23) Free Spirit:
“Maybe I get it, maybe not. I’m open to wherever life takes me.”
(Values freedom, goes with the flow, unattached to outcomes.)
24) Survivor Mindset:
“Whatever the result, I’ve faced worse and I’ll keep going.”
(Built on resilience, shaped by past struggles.)
We might fit into three or four at the same time, or slip from one to another without warning. One day we’re hopeful, the next we’re bitter. Sometimes we find ourselves in a category we never imagined we’d belong to. We surprise ourselves. And in a world that doesn’t stop or explain, maybe it makes sense that we keep changing ,too.
What Causes Us to Believe Something?
- Upbringing & Culture: Repeated messages from childhood shape our default view of the world (about God, love, success, etc.).
- Personal Experiences: Emotional highs and lows influence what we accept as truth.
- Authority & Influence: We often accept the views of parents, teachers, or leaders without questioning.
- Repetition & Social Proof: Constant exposure to an idea, or seeing many people believe it, makes it feel true.
- Emotional Needs: Beliefs can offer comfort, purpose, identity, or hope—even if they aren’t fully rational.
- Fear & Survival Instincts: Beliefs around danger, failure, or shame often come from a place of self-protection.
- Introspection & Reflection: When we slow down and question what we’ve been told, beliefs can shift or evolve.
Understanding the different types of nihilism helps us recognize what kind of “nothing matters” we’re dealing with. For some, it’s a heavy, hopeless feeling that leads to apathy or despair. For others, it’s strangely freeing—letting go of pressure and finding peace in life’s unpredictability. By knowing the shades of nihilism—whether moral, existential, political, or passive—we become more aware of how it shapes our choices, emotions, and even the way we connect with people. It’s not about labelling ourselves, but about understanding where our thoughts come from—and where they might lead us.
1. Existential Nihilism:
"Why even try to get a job? Life has no meaning anyway."
(Questions the purpose of life itself.)
It is common among all.
Existential nihilism is the belief that life has no inherent meaning, purpose, or value. It’s a common outlook, especially during moments of deep questioning or emotional crisis. This philosophy doesn’t claim that life is bad—just that, in the grand scheme of the universe, nothing truly matters. Our successes, failures, relationships, and even our existence may be insignificant in the face of time, death, and cosmic indifference.
What makes it interesting is how it connects to many aspects of modern life—depression, identity crises, the search for meaning in careers or relationships, and even the rise of existential-themed art and cinema. Films like Fight Club, The Matrix, or Joker echo this sense of emptiness and rebellion.
Sisyphus was a clever king who tried to cheat death and trick the gods. As punishment, the gods gave him a terrible fate: for all eternity, he had to roll a huge boulder up a steep hill. But just when he got close to the top, the boulder would roll back down. So he had to start all over again—and again, forever.
Albert Camus, a French philosopher, used this story to explain existential nihilism. He said life can feel like that—repeating the same things every day, with no final reward or meaning. But Camus believed we should imagine Sisyphus as happy. Why? Because even if the task is meaningless, Sisyphus still chooses to keep going. That choice, that quiet rebellion, gives him power. It’s like saying: “I know life has no meaning, but I’m going to live it fully anyway.”
2. Moral Nihilism:
"If I lie on my resume to get the job, so what? Right and wrong are just made-up rules."
(Thinks moral rules aren't real, so any action is just neutral.)
3. Epistemological Nihilism:
"How do I even know the job exists? What if everything I believe is wrong?"
(Doubts the possibility of knowing anything for sure.)
4. Political Nihilism:
"Why should I follow job laws or company rules? All systems are corrupt."
(Rejects the structure of authority and systems.)
5. Metaphysical Nihilism:
"Maybe this job, this world—even I—don’t actually exist."
(Questions if anything exists at all.)
6. Passive Nihilism:
"I don’t care anymore. Whether I get a job or not—it doesn’t matter."
(Feels hopeless and gives up.)
7. Active Nihilism:
"Since life has no meaning, I’ll create my own purpose. I’ll choose work that excites me."
(Embraces the emptiness and builds something from it.)
8. Paradoxical Nihilism:
If nothing matters, then even the belief that "nothing matters" doesn't matter!
In real life, people still care a lot, even if they believe life has no meaning. For example:
"I know this job won’t give my life meaning… but I’m still so anxious about getting it."
That’s paradoxical nihilism—you believe nothing matters, yet you still feel, care, stress, hope, and dream. It doesn’t make logical sense, but it’s very human.
9. Postmodernist Nihilism:
"A ‘good job’ doesn’t mean the same for everyone. Success is just a social idea. I’ll define my own path."
(Rejects one truth; believes meaning is personal and fragmented.)
Postmodernist nihilism says there are no absolute truths or fixed meanings—everything depends on culture, language, and perspective. It challenges big ideas like “truth” or “justice” as universal, showing that what feels true or meaningful to one person or group may not be for another. This can be freeing but also confusing because it means there’s no single “right” answer, just many different views.
Unchecked nihilism isn’t just “nothing matters”—it’s a slow poison that eats away at meaning, effort, and connection. Here are the major negative aspects a person may face:
- Emotional Numbness: Nothing excites you. Nothing hurts you deeply. But that’s not peace—it’s emotional paralysis.
- Loss of Purpose: When you believe nothing has value, you stop striving. Ambitions feel fake. Dreams feel useless.
- Detachment from Relationships: You stop caring deeply. People become background noise. Love becomes a distraction instead of a connection.
- Passive Self-Destruction: It may not look like screaming or hurting. It’s just… giving up. Skipping meals, ignoring health, avoiding people, letting things decay.
- Overthinking and Existential Dread: "Why am I here?" turns into "Does it even matter if I disappear?" This spiral is deep and dark.
- Addiction to Distractions: Since reality feels hollow, you crave dopamine hits—social media, scrolling, binge-watching, junk food. They are numb, but don’t heal.
- Cynicism and Hopelessness: You start mocking people who care. Optimism feels naive. Kindness feels fake. That’s the bitter edge of unchecked nihilism.
Unchecked nihilism doesn’t always kill you loudly. Sometimes it just leaves you breathing, but not living.
From dust to dust,
So you may as well dance,
Like dust in the wind.
Nihilism says life has no built-in meaning — no reason, no purpose, no answers.
The Joker movie is the perfect example of explaining the concept of nihilism.
Arthur Fleck in Joker feels this truth like a crushing weight. For him, nihilism means giving up on everything: hope, rules, even kindness. When nothing matters, why hold back? So he lets chaos take over, laughing not because he’s free, but because meaning has died. His destruction is a desperate scream into the void — a man broken by a world that ignored him until he stopped caring.
Batman feels nihilism too — the same emptiness staring back at him — but he refuses to surrender. He chooses to fight anyway, creating his meaning through discipline, justice, and sacrifice. To him, meaning isn’t found, it’s made. Where Joker burns everything down, Batman builds something to hold on to.
Both live with the same dark truth, but while Joker dives into despair, Batman rises in defiance. That’s the raw heart of nihilism — a choice between giving up or standing tall when nothing makes sense.
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”
Imagine if everyone believed in nihilism!
The Bad:
People stop caring about rules, goals, or morals because they think nothing truly matters. Crime rises as respect for the laws fades. Workplaces and schools lose energy — why bother trying? Relationships weaken since love and loyalty seem pointless. Art and culture lose meaning, and society feels cold and empty. Without shared purpose, many feel lost, lonely, and hopeless.
The Good:
At the same time, some people feel freed from pressure and judgment. Without fixed rules or expectations, they explore life in new, creative ways. There’s less fear of failure because nothing is “important” in the traditional sense. People might be kinder in small moments, knowing that life is short and arbitrary. The absence of strict morals can lead to radical honesty and authenticity.
In this world, nihilism causes both chaos and freedom — a powerful mix of emptiness and unexpected possibilities.
“ To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering."
We often get confused with these concepts:
- Nihilism
- Essentialism
- Absurdism
- Stoicism
Nihilism says: “There’s no meaning. Nothing matters.”
Existentialism says: “There’s no meaning, but you can create your own.”
Absurdism says: “You want meaning, but the universe won’t give it—accept the absurd and live anyway.”
Stoicism: “You can’t control life, but you can control how you respond.
Nihilist gives up.
The existentialist fights to find purpose.
The absurdist laughs and keeps going.
Stoic accepts pain, stays calm, and keeps walking.
“You have your way, I have my way as far as the right way, the correct way, and the only way doesn’t exist.”
It is ultimately your life, and you can choose what you are.. But I would recommend Optimistic nihilism.
Optimistic nihilism means knowing that life has no built-in meaning, but instead of feeling sad or lost, you decide to make your meaning and enjoy life.
Examples:
- Imagine an artist who knows their paintings won’t last forever and won’t change the world, but they paint anyway because creating makes them happy and fulfilled.
- Think of someone traveling the world just for the joy of new experiences, even if those trips don’t have a “deeper purpose.” They live fully in the moment, enjoying life’s simple pleasures.
- A person who loves friends and family understands that life is temporary, but cherishes their relationships because those connections bring real happiness.
So, optimistic nihilism says: “Life might not have a grand meaning, but that’s okay — we can still create meaning and find joy in living.”
“Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
The thing about nihilism is that first it might look depressing or hopelessness but once you get past the point and realise that you can give your life a new meaning it becomes better and you will become more carefree..
Knowing that one day I will die—and that everyone else will too—brings me a strange, quiet relief. Because if nothing lasts forever, if no one remembers the best moments or the worst mistakes, then maybe none of it carries the heavy weight we give it. Our worries, fears, and pain—they don’t have to define us or hold us captive. In this truth, I find a kind of freedom: freedom to live without fear, to take chances, to love fiercely, and simply to be. When life’s meaning isn’t given by the world but shaped by our hearts, even the darkest days can feel lighter. And that fragile, beautiful light—this peace—is enough.
He who has a why to live for can somehow bear the how.
All the hard work, all the pressure—we chase significance as if the world is watching. We stress over urgent emails, obsess over the perfect Instagram caption, as though it defines our worth. We spend late nights tossing and turning, replaying every mistake and wrong decision, until we convince ourselves we’re the worst being in the world. But nihilism—if embraced—whispers a quiet truth: none of it truly matters.
And in that, there’s freedom.
Freedom from the illusion that every action must hold grand meaning.
Freedom from the lie that your value depends on constant perfection.
If nothing holds absolute meaning, then maybe, just maybe, we can finally breathe.
“We yearn for meaning in a meaningless life” - Albert Camus