The meaning of life. This phrase has been thrown around and debated by almost every philosopher, religious leader, or really any person that thinks too much. Most people have a different perspective on what this question’s answer entails. Whether it be moral values, religious beliefs, or the primitive instinct that the meaning is to keep the human race alive and make life better for future generations. But, rejecting all of these ideas is the theory that maybe there is no meaning.

A branch of Nihilism, the belief that life is meaningless, this theory goes against what most would think to be a satisfactory answer to this question. Although this way of thinking about life can be a depressing way to look at it for most people, often having a hopeless presence, this lens can also take the stress away from daily challenges.

From a negative perspective, the idea that we live just to die can be uncomfortable. It would mean everything humans learn, everyone humans meet, and all the things humans experience would be for nothing. All the work people do to make the world a better place, the morals that people follow every day, or the thought that one will be rewarded by their actions in an afterlife is absent. This theory that nothing matters is thought of by many as a burden and is heavily ignored, but to others, it is a blessing because… nothing matters.

If nothing matters, then the only thing that people need to worry about is the present. As long as a person keeps themselves alive, it doesn’t matter what they do. This means, people can do whatever they want, whatever makes them happy, pursue whatever they want, with no consequences. One can make whatever they want of life, whatever they deem as important, whether it be helping others, having a good time just because, trying everything that is available, any way of life is a valid way to live.

This theory means there is no correct way to live. Although modern society doesn’t exactly allow people to live this way with all the external pressures of getting a job and with the main objective being money, most people don’t fully open themselves up to this opportunity. But then again, if nothing matters, why should external pressures affect oneself at all?

This philosophy shouldn’t be an excuse to act like anyone else matters, because they do. It isn’t a calling to drop out of school and go off the radar, but rather an inspiration to enjoy life while one can, because why not.