Existentialism and Everyday Life: Finding Meaning in Routine

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​“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”

— Viktor Frankl
Mr. Frankl was a psychiatrist and neurologist (1905-1997) who wrote about his ordeal as a concentration camp inmate during the Second World War.

Existence
The past few years have been a whirlwind of change. Parenthood reshapes your priorities, COVID uproots the foundations of daily life, and evolving job expectations force you to redefine success. Somewhere in the shuffle, I lost the core of my routine—the steady rhythm that once gave my days structure and meaning.

I fell (willingly?) into a mental space of contemplation, specifically on the anxiety created by the  uncertainty of life. This “existential dread” became a catalyst for reviewing large parts of my path. Existentialism teaches us that we are responsible for creating our own meaning in life. For me, that realization is both liberating and daunting. Amid the chaos of caregiving, adapting to a remote workspace, and navigating an uncertain world, I’ve often felt as though my routines were slipping through my fingers like sand. Yet, existentialism reminds me that the power to rebuild is always within reach.

The Meaning of Routine
Routines are more than just time management tools; they are anchors of purpose. When you lose your routine, it’s easy to drift into a sea of aimlessness, questioning not only how to fill your days but why. Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard suggested that “life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” It’s often in hindsight that we recognize the quiet power of our habits—their ability to ground us, sustain us, and reflect our values.

During these past few years, I realized my routines had stopped reflecting who I want to be. My days felt reactive rather than intentional. And while caring for my family and meeting work deadlines was fulfilling in its own way, the absence of balance between sloth and productivity left me feeling disconnected from myself.

A Year to Grow
This year, I’ve set an intention to rebuild routines that reflect my values. Not routines built on rigid productivity or aimless relaxation, but an accord between the two—a routine that acknowledges life’s fullness. Existentialism challenges us to embrace the absurd, to find joy in the everyday, even in seemingly mundane activities.

For me, this might look like setting aside 15 minutes every morning to write, playing with Frankie before school instead of rushing out the door, or intentionally folding laundry instead of treating it like a chore to conquer. These small acts become rituals, and rituals can be powerful ways to infuse meaning into routine.

Balancing Sloth and Productivity
The philosopher Albert Camus described the absurd man as one who embraces life fully, despite its lack of inherent meaning. What other way is there!? To balance sloth and productivity is to embrace life in its wholeness — to acknowledge the need for rest and reflection alongside the joy of achievement and creation.

This year, I’m giving myself permission to find that balance. To let go of routines that no longer serve me and cultivate those that do. To experiment, fail, and try again. To pause when I need rest and push forward when I feel called to act.

In the end, existentialism offers not answers but the freedom to create our own. Meaning isn’t found; it’s made. This year, I’m making mine — one small, deliberate act at a time.