Optimistic nihilism
Optimistic nihilism is the realisation that there is a lack of meaning in the world and universe. This is liberating because there is no greater meaning in life, no greater purpose; there is no cosmic plan for the life's path that you must take. So, you cannot go wrong; there isn't a certain path you must follow or a set of beliefs you must attain. We are the ones who create our own path. We get to choose how to live our own lives.
And since there is no meaning to life and the universe, you must consider yourself very lucky in this world. Because your life is not fated to be a certain way. You get to choose what is important in your life, what matters, and if you want to give meaning and purpose to your existence. Upon reflecting, if there is no cosmic reason to be here, then realise how lucky you are to be alive statistically because you have a 1 in 10^2,685,000 chance to even exist, let alone be conscious of yourself or being human.
Nihilism gets a bad rap because of the very way our society has framed the word 'nihilism' – to reject all religions, to reject all morals and beliefs. This is true to an extent. I like to think of nihilism as starting from scratch. You get to pick and choose what to believe and what is meaningful to your life. Instead of being born into dogma, a fixed way of living, thinking, and belief systems, you can choose.
Optimistic nihilism is where you say, 'Great!, I get to choose.' I'm in control of my morals and beliefs. If nothing matters and everything is pointless, then everything we choose matters. Everything we decide to do or take action on does matter. Because life is so precious, we are so lucky to be alive, that every waking moment and action in this life is a continuous decision, and that matters. How we live our lives matters.
Optimism is hopefulness, a conscious decision to look at the good, the lucky, the endless possibilities. We get the best of both worlds; we get to choose; we have free will. We have autonomy over our lives or at the very least autonomy over how we react and perceive our lives. This is powerful philosophy; it takes away the 'why.' Why me? Why did this happen? It happened; life is random, and nothing is divinely chosen. Shit happens; get up off the ground and move on. That is what optimism nihilism is, leaving the 'why' behind.
