“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre is known for his stance on “existence precedes essence.” Translation: we’re all born as blank slates. There’s no divine roadmap or cosmic cheat sheet. Sartre’s brand of existentialism takes this blank-slate reality and says, “Great! Now what are we going to write on the slate?”
Without a predetermined purpose, the whole “meaning of life” thing is entirely up to us. Sartre called existentialism an attempt to “draw all the consequences of a world without God.” Those consequences are equal parts freeing and daunting. The universe isn’t giving us instructions, which means we’re free to figure it out—but it’s on us to make it meaningful.
Mid-Life: The Existential Wake-Up Call
Imagine life in your 40s or 50s. Life might feel like it’s stuck on repeat—work, bills, obligations. The notorious Groundhog Day of Adulting. You’ve built a life, but does it still feel like your life? Maybe you’re starting to wonder, “What’s next? Is this really all there ?”
Sartre would say, Congratulations, you’re having an existential moment!
Let’s say you’ve been working the same job for years because it’s stable, but deep down, it’s draining the life out of you. Or maybe you’ve spent decades checking off all the right boxes—career, family, house—but now you’re asking, “What about me?” These moments aren’t crises; they’re opportunities. They’re the universe (or your subconscious) nudging you to realign with what actually matters to you.
Authenticity Is Your Secret Weapon
Sartre believed that living authentically is the antidote to that hamster on a wheel feeling. But don’t panic—this isn’t about burning your life to the ground or running off to “find yourself.” Although, that works, too. But authenticity can be about small, intentional choices that reflect who you really are, not who the world expects you to be. Small steps into reclaiming your life.
It could be as big as switching careers or as small as saying no to something that doesn’t light you up. It’s about learning what makes you tick and unapologetically leaning into that.
Yes, sometimes it sucks. It’s going to feel messy and imperfect because, well, you’re human. But every step you take toward living authentically is a step toward a life that feels like your own.
A Quick Activity to Kickstart Authentic Living
- Grab a notebook or open your notes app
- Write down one thing in your life that feels off—like it doesn’t match who you really are.
- Now, brainstorm one small thing you can do this week to move it closer to alignment.
- Do the thing. Celebrate it. Then repeat.
The beauty of Sartre’s philosophy is that it puts the pen in your hands. You’re the author of your own story, and there’s no better time to start writing the next chapter than right now.
Be First to Comment