My monthly project is going to be writing a self-reflective, thoughtful post each day. Through my study of existentialism over the years, Nietzsche has remained one of my favorite philosophers. Is he a bit gloomy at times, yes. Sarcastic, of course. But it could never be denied that he was an amazing thinker and writer.
As I go off exploring the thoughts of one of the most provocative philosophers in history, I find myself reflecting on why Nietzsche’s work has always captivated me. His words don’t just speak to me; they challenge me, shake me awake, and push me toward a radical form of self-discovery. Nietzsche wasn’t merely a philosopher with big ideas; he was a thinker who understood the stark, often uncomfortable reality of what it means to truly be human.
At the core of his philosophy is the concept of the Ubermensch, the idea of transcending what we are and becoming something greater–a person who has fully actualized their potential, free from societal constraints. This notion of over-coming feels both deeply personal and universal. It resonates because it mirrors my own journey toward self-discovery, a journey I believe we all must take in some form or another.
One of Nietzsche’s most striking insights is his challenge to traditional values, particularly in his proclamation the “God is dead.” Rather than viewing this as a nihilistic or negative statement, I see it as an invitation to create my own values. Nietzsche asks his reader to destroy what’s been handed down to use–those inherited beliefs, systems, and moral codes that often define our sense of purpose. He invites us to stare into the abyss, to face the nothingness, and then to rise and build our own meaning. There’s something beautiful in that blank slate, in the idea that meaning isn’t handed to use, but something we must create ourselves.
For me, this blank slate represents the ultimate freedom. Life, in its randomness and chaos, doesn’t come with a built-in guidebook. Nietzsche understood this, which is why his work speaks to those of us who crave authenticity in a world that often feels suffocatingly scripted. In “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” Nietzsche speaks to this process of breaking free from convention and finding joy in the act of becoming. He dares us to “become who we are”–a phrase that sounds simple but carries the weight of a lifetime of introspection, effort, and courage.
Self-discovery is not a comfortable process. It’s not about finding an already defined version of yourself buried beneath the noise of society. It’s about building that self, creating it from the raw materials of your life, your experiences, your passions. Nietzsche helped me focus on the fact that no one else can walk this path for you. No one else can know what it’s like to be you. Your consciousness, your thoughts, your emotions, your struggles, your triumphs–they are uniquely yours.
This stark individualism, which ties in so well with Carl Jung’s idea of self-actualization, is what keeps drawing me back to Nietzsche. Jung’s concept of individuation–the process of integrating all parts of the self to become whole–feels like a parallel to Nietzsche’s Ubermensch. Both offer a blueprint for becoming more than what we currently are, but they demand we take full responsibility for our lives, our choices, and our growth. There is no shortcut to self-actualization. It is a journey fraught with risk, self-doubt, and at times, isolation.
But the reward? The reward is freedom. The freedom to live authentically, to face the absurdity of life head-on, and to find joy not in external validation but in the act of becoming itself.
Nietzsche’s philosophy isn’t just a set of ideas to be pondered; it’s a call to action. It’s a call to break free from the herd mentality, to live dangerously, and to embrace the discomfort of growth. In a world that often prioritizes conformity, Nietzsche’s thoughts feel like a breath of fresh air, reminding me that life’s greatest meaning comes from within, from the ongoing process of discovering who you are and what you can become.
As I embark on a month of Nietzsche inspired reflection, I hope you’ll join me. Even if you dislike Nietzsche, the area of the Ubermensch is valuable in other areas. And if you dislike Nietzsche you may as well dig into him for 31 days and explain why. It’s about the discovery you make about your own beliefs and values that is the point. What it means to live fully, authentically and free from fear.
Dive into the depths of the whys…perhaps we’ll uncover a few new truths about ourselves along the way.