What Existentialism Teaches Us About Living Authentically

What do you think we live for?

Some people believe life is about striving hard. Some think it is all about making ourselves happy. Others argue that life holds no special meaning at all — we might as well just head to the docks for some fries.

If you lean toward the latter view, you may well be an existentialist.

Existentialism is a far‑reaching philosophical movement of the 20th century. It centers on the uniqueness of individual existence and the power of free choice, and explores the question of life’s meaning. It stresses that in a universe with no pre‑assigned meaning, humans create their own meaning through actions and choices.

To put it simply, existentialism holds that you exist first. No fate predetermines who you are. You define yourself entirely through your own decisions. Whatever you choose to do is what gives your life meaning.

Its core ideas can be summed up in five key points: existence precedes essence, absolute freedom and responsibility, the absurd world and the creation of meaning, anxiety and authenticity, death and temporality.

These concepts can feel abstract, so let us walk through them one by one.

First, existence precedes essence. This is the foundational proposition of existentialism. As Sartre put it, you exist first, then you define yourself through your deeds. You are not born pre‑destined to become a certain kind of person. Who you become is shaped by the choices, actions and responsibilities you take throughout your life.

Second, absolute freedom and responsibility. Existentialism maintains that individual freedom is absolute — yet it comes with unavoidable responsibility, which can feel heavy. You possess the freedom to choose almost anything, but you must bear the consequences of every choice you make.

Here is an example. Someone might say: “I have to go to school every day. Rules constrain me everywhere. Where is this so‑called absolute freedom?” The truth is you do have the option to drop out of school. That choice is yours; you just have not taken it. Therefore, choosing not to drop out is itself a choice. And you must take responsibility for whatever outcomes that decision brings. This captures the bond between absolute freedom and responsibility in existentialist thought.

Third, the absurd world and the creation of life meaning. Existentialism is not feel‑good inspirational content. It can seem cold‑minded. It accepts that the world carries no inherent meaning. You do not come into this world to search for pre‑existing meaning; you come here to make meaning for yourself.

Think of Sisyphus in Camus’ writing, rolling his boulder up the hill over and over. His labour may seem futile, yet he may find joy in it. That very act becomes meaningful to him.

For young people today, some choose to play video games all night. Others sleep the whole day away. So long as you stay true to yourself, anything you do can gain meaning — even the whimsical urge to head to the docks for some fries.

Fourth, authenticity and anxiety. Existentialism urges people to live authentically, instead of living for others’ eyes. Do not follow the crowd, do not pretend, and do not run away from yourself. Live genuinely as who you are. Heidegger names this state authentic existence.

Nevertheless, this freedom inevitably brings anxiety.

Take ordering food delivery online as an example. You have full freedom to pick your meal, yet countless options can leave you stuck. Most people follow viral popular picks or simply re‑order past meals to play it safe. Some people, however, embrace risk. They follow their inner curiosity and try something odd‑looking that truly interests them. Inevitably, they feel anxious about this unfamiliar meal, fearing disappointment.

You are free to order whatever you want. When you stick to your own preference instead of picking what everyone else praises, you achieve authenticity — along with anxiety. This is how freedom, authenticity and anxiety connect. What applies to ordering takeout applies to life itself.

Fifth, death and temporality. For existentialists, death is not merely an ending. It sets the boundary of life. It forces us to recognize our limited time alive, so we can live more genuinely in the present and make choices that matter. This is what Heidegger means by “being‑toward‑death”.

Existentialism exerted profound and wide‑ranging influence over the history of philosophy. It overturned traditional metaphysical ways of thinking, and spread into literature, psychology, political thought and popular culture.

To modern young people, existentialism is like a spiritual awakening. It helps you recognize the absurdity of the world without giving in to despair. It invites you to live consciously, authentically and fully. In an era where everyone strives to live “the right life”, it reminds you: live for what is real to you. You can feel anxious, lost or world‑weary. Even amid all that inner chaos, you can stand up and say: “Forget it, I’m going to the docks for some fries first.”