The Etiquette of Living a 'Meaning-Free' Life Without Being Swallowed by Nihilism

Introduction

When things have meaning, the world becomes easier to understand.
At the same time, it also becomes a little suffocating.

Perhaps it is okay to let go of meaning.
—provided, however, that you protect yourself from 'breaking'.

Here, I will write about an attitude that contains a slight contradiction: 'Meaning is unnecessary, but stay unbroken.'

1. What remains after meaning unravels

Meaning is like a label applied to the world after the fact.
'Value,' 'correct answers,' 'growth.' They are convenient, but the tighter you grip them, the more they choke you.

Even if meaning collapses, there are things that do not disappear.
The coldness of the wind, the scent of steam, the warmth of a voice, the heaviness before falling asleep.
They do not remain because they are correct; they simply remain.

When you consider that the world is a sequence of physical phenomena and that emotions and the self are part of that, meaning becomes even more unreliable.

Even so, we still feel.
Sensation exists before meaning.

That fact alone cannot be denied.

2. 'Not breaking' is not a philosophy, but a matter of foundation

'Not breaking' is less of a noble ideology and more of a structural matter.

• Even without meaning, the body gets tired

• Even without meaning, people get hurt

• Even without meaning, tomorrow will come

The idea that 'meaning is unnecessary' can lead to freedom, but it can also lead to recklessness.
That is why it is more realistic to keep 'not breaking' as a minimum safety device.

For example, do not cut back on sleep or food to an extreme degree.
Do not let your relationships or life get too close to an irreparable state of collapse.

This is not because it is 'correct,' but as a fastener to prevent the acceleration of collapse.

3. Emotions are phenomena, and they are also signals

Viewing emotions as physical phenomena makes things a little easier.
Anger and anxiety also arise, change shape, and eventually disappear.

However, emotions are also signals.
You don't have to believe in them completely, but if you keep ignoring them, your body will break down.

Anxiety might be a sign of danger, or it might just be fatigue.
Anger might be a sign that your boundaries have been violated, or it might be a side effect of sleep deprivation.

'Read' your emotions.
Do not give them too much meaning, but do not discard them either; keep them in the middle.

If you want to discard meaning but use logic to suppress your emotions, a different form of control begins.

4. Between 'doing as you please' and 'not breaking'

'I'm going to die anyway, and there's no meaning. So, I'll do as I please.'
There is a certain truth to this feeling.
At the same time, it can also become a reckless accelerator.

That is where the attitude of 'trying it out' becomes useful.

• Don't make big decisions

• Don't swear eternal vows

• Just touch it for now

You can move without certainty.
Even if you fail, don't let it be a negation of your entire life.
It is a realistic way to walk while feeling lost.

When you are unsure about a decision, shift the question slightly toward your body.

• Are you tired right now?

• What is quietly on the verge of breaking with this choice?

• Conversely, what could you protect to keep moving forward?

Instead of meaning, place a faint rudder.
Often, that is enough.

5. Living while holding contradictions

Saying 'I don't need meaning' while protecting 'not breaking'.
It seems inconsistent.

But perhaps the world itself is built that way.
Even if meaning fades, the body aches and the heart sways.
It is natural that you cannot perfectly reconcile these things.

When the goal becomes eliminating swaying or contradictions, another form of 'correctness' takes control.
Not breaking is not about becoming consistent,
but about holding on enough so that life does not collapse even while you sway.

Finally, I will leave you with one thing.

• Even if meaning becomes zero, to what extent is that 'unbreakability' you still want to protect?

There is no need to rush for an answer.
Within the range of not breaking, while swaying.

Thank you for reading until the end.
Your reactions and follows would be a great encouragement.

I hope this post serves as a spark to light a small lamp in your daily life.

【Would you like to feel this continuation even more deeply?】

Art decor that encourages introspection and awareness just by being there.

—In an AI era where speed and correctness are considered virtues, intentionally design 'time to return to yourself.' A small scene on your desk will help you realize what is truly important—

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