Why do people feel like their life has no meaning? One possible cause of this is that, in America at least, we are no longer in a true fight for survival. Yes, the majority of people are still in survival-like situations, but it’s not a true fight for survival. It’s a con, a deception, a ruse. Statistically, the majority are being oppressed by a system that requires them to give their time and energy to the creation of value, and in return they get back barely enough sustenance to provide for themselves. Sometimes, they go hungry, but they almost never starve. However, rather than question that system, they are sated by the paltry benefits the system provides. The system mixes “bread and games”, just like the Roman emperors of old did with their arenas, theatres, and bread handouts. People become dependent upon the scraps and entertainment that the system gives them to make sure that they are never truly fighting for survival but at the same time, never lift their heads up to ask, “What the hell is going on here?” The TV, and the video games, and the endless memes dull the senses so we don’t feel time’s share blade slicing away at the remains of our lives. The few times that we do lift our heads up, we see that we are stuck. We haven’t moved. Day in and day out, we’re repeating the same cycle, not going anywhere. Our job is meaningless. Our work is meaningless. We’re stuck in the system, we’re stuck in the rat race. What’s the answer?
The answer is to do something that matters. If your job is meaningless, find a way that you can stop doing it (probably don’t quit cold turkey…). If your life is meaningless, find some meaning quickly. If you know that you are being drugged or dulled into unconsciousness by any source – pharmaceuticals, tv, video games, or some other form of escapism – cut it out of your life. Face your suffering and desperately find a way to manage it. Don’t keep being asleep.
We all suffer. You might think, “Well, my life isn’t that bad. At least I don’t have it as bad as that bloke over there.” Don’t think that way. Sure, objectively, that guy’s mental suffering may be the equivalent of a spinal injury, and yours may be the equivalent of a fractured leg, but the point is this: You still have a fractured leg! If you don’t treat it, it’s going to become worse. If you continue your life as if your leg isn’t broken, it’s going to be really painful and even lead to a deformity. Everyone has mental suffering. Everyone has at least a fracture. You must treat it, or it will get worse!
And say like you are the bloke with the equivalent of a spinal injury of an injury. You’re probably going to need physical therapy, or in mental terms, psychological help. But think of all those stories where, “The Doctor said I was never going to be able to walk again, but I never lost hope. After 6 months, I was able to take a step, and after 2 years, I was able to walk again. It’s a miracle!” You are never past redemption. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t get better. Never let anyone tell you that this is “just the way it is.” Your mental mess may be like a huge box of computer cables that have been all jumbled up together. Maybe some other people threw some cables into that box, but it is always your choice what to do with the cables when they are in your box. You can leave them all jumbled up and complain about how shitty it is that people would throw their cables in your box, or you can choose to take those cables out, organize them, and maybe throw some of them away. It can take a while, but with consistent discipline and faith in your goal, you can organize the box of computer cables – your mind. You can get there.