An Absurd Outlook

“One must imagine Sisyphus happy,” Camus writes.

The Myth of Sisyphus, is a philosophical essay written by Albert Camus; in this writing, he introduces his philosophy of the absurd. Absurdism illustrates that the universe and life is inherently meaningless, as well as to seek such significance results in conflict and “unreasonable silence” from the universe. Humans exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe; however, the response to this isn’t suicide, or erudite despair, but to “revolt”. To accept and embrace the absurdity of the universe as is; a person who can do such is appointed what Camus calls an “Absurd Hero”. In the final chapter of his essay, Camus references the myth of Sisyphus. Sisyphus, a figure in Greek mythology is punished with the task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only for it to roll down as soon as it approaches the top. Sisyphus has been painted as a miserable figure for all of history, but Camus takes a different outlook. In the end of his writing, he closes with “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

To embrace the lack of value in life, yet still prevail and exist happily is the absurd life that Camus depicts. Sisyphus is what Camus calls the ultimate “Absurd Hero”, to live such a pointless and redundant life, yet still be happy is the beauty of it all, because life does not require “meaning” in order for one to enjoy it.

This outlook in which I can only describe as absurd helps me get through my life. This “lack of meaning” doesn’t scare me, yet excites me, it lets me take risks; to spend more time savoring coffee in the morning despite being late, to say what’s on my mind, to make memories instead of studying, because why not choose to be happy when life is meaningless anyways? Of course, despite life being meaningless, the consequences of your actions do impact life, but what comfort it is knowing you’ll wake up another day and realize that you’ll have so many chances to live and breathe.

A playlist for Each Emotion

Music has always been something that’s been intimately intertwined in my life. I listen to music when I’m sad, happy, with friends, alone, in class, at home, and all the spaces in-between. Even as I’m writing this, there’s music playing faintly in the background. It was always incredulous to me when someone said that they don’t listen to music, because music to me is like food to a body, a soulmate to a soulmate.

Music is a coping mechanism for many people, including me. It can be a form of escapism for some, a temporary liberation from reality into a world of sounds and bright voices. Music can be a friend that lifts you up when you’re sad. Music can connect, a shared interest that connects friends, lovers, or connects artist and listener, a listener that thinks they’re alone in this world, but listens to a song with someone singing about the problems they thought nobody else had. For me, it’s all of the above.

A Love That is Mine

Mitsuki Laycock, more commonly known as Mitski (her artist name), released a song a week ago titled My Love Mine All Mine. In two of the lyrics, she sings :

Nothing in the world belongs to me

But my love, mine, all mine, all mine

One of the things that get me through life is being able to love the people I love, and to have a love that is specific to me, to love people in a way that nobody else can. Because there is nobody like you, there is no love like yours.

I’m not the type to express my love in grandeur displays, but I am content knowing there is love in the fruit I cut for my siblings, love in the food when I cook for my family, love in the vowels when I compliment my friends, love in my fingers when I braid my friend’s hair, love when I sneak food under the table for my dogs, a love that nobody else can replicate. To be able to love is such a simple, primal thing, but it’s all that is needed to get someone through life.