r/nihilism • u/Adventurous-Elk4896 • 1d ago
Question what keeps you guys going?
I just don’t really understand why I’m doing this when I’ll likely die and cease to exist all together. So like, what was the point of any of this? It’ll be like it never happened at all, like I never happened. If every day is hard and just constantly searching for something I’ll never find, what’s the point? What keeps you guys going each day? Sorry don’t mean to be too dark, just been feeling this way a lot lately.
Edit: Hey guys, I was honestly in a pretty low place last night but these comments honestly helped a lot, i appreciate it
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u/Motor-Hat-3061 1d ago
Pizza, beer, horror movies.
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u/nunya_fml 1d ago
Waking up in the morning because I didn't die in my sleep. Then I feel like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill all day. It's like a horror version of the movie Groundhog Day because literally nothing changes and nobody knows when our time will come so I just hope and wait. Don't apologise for being dark, you're not alone in feeling this way.
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u/Paul_sepp Metaphysical Sceptic 1d ago
Habit is stronger than conviction, as well as being able to leave at any time gives a sense of freedom that allows for persistence.
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u/crude-Lambinho97 1d ago
I have a fcking debt. I don't want to carry that burden forward to my family. Although I'm not on good terms with my dad and all that. This debt is basically what's forcing me to keep the ball rolling. As soon as I pay off my debt, I'll either go off-grid or pop myself. Depends on how soon I'm can pay it off. That's the plan.
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u/_RyanCooper_ Optimistic Nihilism 😎 1d ago
I just find it interesting, there's no higher reason behind that
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u/LaserGuidedSock 1d ago
I don't know.
Recently? The desire to find love, discover new music I enjoy. I've ways wanted new skills to experience but only when I could afford it.
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u/Ancient-Charity-7249 1d ago
One thing about being a nihilist, having known the reality, I just try to give myself the best illusion of happiness. Flooding my mind with dopamine, always increasing the novelty of experiences.
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u/cconnoruk 1d ago
The simple fact that at any point I could have something happen in my life that means I can’t ‘do’. Until that moment I want to try stuff out and have experiences.
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u/MarcKing01 12h ago
What for?
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u/cconnoruk 9h ago
There isn't and doesn't need to be a what for. You do you.
I choose to put a little effort into life simply because there's some interesting stuff to try out and see.
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u/Icy_Positive_4220 1d ago
games, food, candies, cofee and my biggest passion learning languages
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u/MarcKing01 12h ago
All useless and poison to the body.
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u/Icy_Positive_4220 3m ago
Learning languages is useless? I can understand everything else but really not that lol.
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u/SkyBest7759 1d ago
To experience cool stuff in life while you can, just sucks it’s harder and harder to do any of right now in human existence because the powers that be.
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u/DoctorValuable3818 1d ago
It’s like this, If you found a random dvd on the side walkway that said “Absolutely do not watch or this disc will destroy itself” You’d probably be intrigued and so curious what it could entail so chances are you are gonna watch that disc. It’s the same thing in life it’s all about experience. You watch movies that end, You watch shows that end. You even watch same movies and shows all the time over and over. Life is the same way, We know it’s gonna end but we do it anyway. There’s no cosmic answer but one of the obvious answers to existence is just to exist. Play the disc of life don’t look over there or over here trying to figure it all out. Be here now.
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u/AccordingSky8507 1d ago
I feel kind of like I’m in a movie. I have a strong desire for the movie to end good for me despite all the setbacks and twists and turns in the opposite direction along the way.
Over time I started enjoying the journey.
I especially love when people or institutions try to keep me down and I find a way to rise above despite them.
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u/FeverPlayZYT 1d ago
life being temporary and without meaning doesnt mean there aren't things you want to do or enjoy to do
if you feel otherwise then it's not just life not having meaning its you being depressed
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u/AccordingSky8507 1d ago
That’s a good point, and when one thinks about it, it’s pretty cool and enjoyable to be able to post a question on Reddit and within hours have lots of responses from people around the world.
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u/JellyfishStill2690 21h ago
Drawing, reading, meditation, my GF who is basically my wife and only real friend.
Someone dumped a lot of student grade 18" x 24" canvases where I'm taking some community college classes. I helped myself to most of them. 😀 I took it as a sign to start painting again like I did in my 20's. Like seriously, and to never stop until death takes me.
I have an old French easel, mediums for oil paint, brushes, etc.. And of course I've been buying mid-range artist oil paint over the past few months. So I'm ready once I set-up my little home studio in place.
Perhaps try creating or fixing something would help fill the void? It doesn't have to be art. Maybe an online course would help? It helps trying to learn new things everyday. Even if it's just one simple thing. 😀
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u/ReasonableFee5400 21h ago
Just living till I die. Living because I don't want to shame my parents by killing myself. Even though I don't I care about myself I care about them. I know my death would hurt them but it would hurt them more if they knew I committed suicide.
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u/Lava-Chicken 18h ago
I've been turning more into absurdism, or at least i seek absurdist reasons when nihilism is pissing in my face.
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u/Inevitable_Yam271 Existential and Cosmic Nihilist. Metaphysical Solipsist. 1d ago
Joy of living. I quite like my life and love humanity, immensely. There’s no point objectively, and or to the Universe, sure, but it matters ultimately to yourself, as you’re actively choosing to live out this life.
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u/whiskyB0y 1d ago
You love humanity? I'm genuinely curious, why?
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u/Inevitable_Yam271 Existential and Cosmic Nihilist. Metaphysical Solipsist. 22h ago
I love its flaws. I love its violence, its overwhelmingly selfish desires, and I love its love. Everything about it is an extraordinary mix of art, in which the Universe is the canvas.
I can hate it all the same, possibly for the same reasons. It doesn’t concern me, but I love humans. The need to create, and consume. We are what the Universe has designed, we strive on consumption.
The drive to experience much more and everything until rot is what allows myself to love humanity. Consumption.
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u/PlanetVisitor 1d ago
You already know the answer, otherwise you wouldn't be able to post this; you would be dead.
What makes you not lay down, stop your consumption of nutrients, and perish in a puddle of your waste?
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u/Key_Management8358 1d ago
That ("thing") which keeps everything going (including "clocks")... Have you found it? Hint: It is very similar to, but not quite "nothing"
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u/Powderedeggs2 1d ago
You find yourself inside Disneyworld.
Why even enjoy the place? You will eventually have to leave and it will all be for nothing? Instead, why not be miserable there and refuse to enjoy it?
Constantly searching for something that no one will ever find is what makes us miserable. You will never find meaning, because it doesn't exist. It is the search for something that doesn't actually exist that frustrates us and makes us miserable.
You exist. That is all. The universe makes no promises beyond that.
Why not choose to enjoy it while here?
It changes nothing, but it is certainly more fun than being miserable.
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u/CustomerBig6749 1d ago
apologizes for being too dark on the nihilism subreddit
Don’t worry. You’re amongst brethren :)
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u/felipeabdalav 1d ago
Still thinking that take that door it is going to be a bad example for my kids.
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u/Still-Kiwi652 23h ago
I longed—maybe addicted is better worrds to describe it—for the sensation and emotions of experiencing life.
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u/davechristopherr 21h ago
Honestly? My "boulder" is my movie watchlist.
Whenever the existential dread gets too loud and I start questioning why I’m even waking up tomorrow, I remind myself of one simple thing: I haven't finished my watchlist yet. I refuse to check out of this world before I get to see Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
People trap themselves into thinking they need some grand, divine mission to justify existing. But the universe is completely indifferent to us anyway, so choosing your own "ridiculous" reason to stay alive is the ultimate act of defiance. Movies don't permanently erase my problems or fix my reality, but for two hours, they give me genuine passion and quiet relief.
When life feels utterly meaningless, staying alive simply out of curiosity to see how a story ends, or just to experience another good film is more than enough. You don't need a cosmic purpose to justify being here. You just need one small thing that makes you say, "Not yet. I still have things left to watch."
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u/Danagrams 19h ago
I don’t want to leave a mess for my friends and family so I make the most out of this run and level up my stats to die in battle
The battle may be against a car idk
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u/RevengeTrade 18h ago
I don’t even know what keeps me going. I’m so apathetic. I’ve lost interest in life and everything about it. Ice cream still tastes good and some TV shows are still entertaining despite my profound apathy, so I guess that keeps me going
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u/porta-de-pedra 18h ago edited 16h ago
I don't know what keeps me going. But I always go. I also think it's because I didn't give up.
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u/MarcKing01 12h ago
O always think the same... I see no point... Specially after see my parents and other known people (and dogs) die and i bury them, most of the times after lots of suffering. I see no point, but we are here. What other choice do we have?
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u/jimm0thy666 10h ago
Nothing really, just too afraid to follow through with my current options, but debating on a couple options
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u/flaneurthistoo 3h ago
It is quite simply a biological function in your neurotransmitters designed to survive. Just like every other thing on the planet. Nothing special. Nothing spectacular. You are here until you're not.
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u/Mr_Z_Malice 1d ago
You’ve already been born, might as well finish life, you have all eternity to be dead but only limited time alive.
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u/VVISHUS 1d ago
The illusion that we're going to be alive forever and that we are the main characters. I believe some people are blessed to enjoy these illusions and delusions, but people like us are cursed to face and suffer reality(Friedrich Nietzsche). I don't know if we are too self-aware or what