What Are You About?

May 14, 2025•9 min read

"We are inconsequential cosmic dust, bumping and milling about on a tiny blue speck. We imagine our own importance. We invent our purpose—we are nothing" - Mark Manson, Everything Is Fucked

The Overview Effect

Imagine the experience of an astronaut embarking on their first journey into space.

They hear the initial roar of the engines, feel the intense vibrations, the feeling of being pushed back into the seat as they launch.

I can't imagine the thrill, the excitement and anxiety they would feel in the moments leading up to escaping the planets atmosphere.

All their long nights and nightmarish training has paid off and they are about to embark on a once in a lifetime journey.

The emotions must be sky high.

However, all of that fades away as soon as they break free from Earth's gravity.

Suddenly, they are suspended in the blackness of space, surrounded by an infinite expanse of stars.

The very fundamental concepts of up and down instantly loses all meaning to them as they begin to float due to the absence of gravity.

They look back and see our planet, this time not as the solid ground they take for granted, but as a fragile beautiful blue marble just hanging in the void surrounded by infinite nothing.

This phenomenon, known as the "overview effect," is a sudden and profound shift in perspective often reported by astronauts.

The sheer scale of the universe, the fragility of Earth, and the inter-connectedness of all things become very apparent.

The astronaut may experience a sense of awe, wonder, and a diminished sense of self-importance.

It's a confrontation with our cosmic insignificance, a stark reminder of just how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

All of human history, all of our achievements and failures, all of our loves and losses – contained on that single blue sphere - surrounded by infinite nothing.

This experience can trigger what you might call "ego death".

In that moment, the concerns that once seemed so pressing can suddenly appear trivial.

In that moment, they will be forced to confront fundamental questions about existence, purpose, and ultimately their place in the universe.

Humans Are Bad at Nihilism

This brings us to nihilism.

In its purest form, nihilism is the belief that existence is without any objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.

It's the idea that there is no ultimate truth, no inherent morality, and no lasting significance to our actions.

Everything is meaningless.

It's quite a depressing belief.

However, the human condition presents a fundamental challenge to true nihilism.

While we can mentally entertain the notion that "nothing matters," our actual lived experience tells a whole different story.

We are emotional beings, driven by desires, fears, and a deep-seated need for connection.

We form bonds, pursue goals, and experience joy and sorrow.

Even if the universe is indifferent to our existence, we still feel the sting of loss and the warmth of love.

Even someone who has decided to end their own life doesn't truly embrace nihilism in their final moments.

There is often a desperate attempt to "fly" or grab onto something, a primal assertion of the will to live, even in the face of an act as final as suicide.

We are, by our very nature, meaning-making creatures.

We seek patterns, we create narratives, and we strive to leave our mark ( however small ) on the world.

Stagnation Is Death

“Being" is the present participle of the verb "to be,".

Being is a verb because it describes the present, and the present is always moving.

To be alive is to be in motion.

Even when we sleep, our bodies are a whirlwind of activity – breathing, circulating blood, regenerating cells.

The question then isn't whether we are taking action, but what kind of action we are taking.

Are we drifting aimlessly, reacting to events as they unfold, or are we consciously directing our energy towards a purpose that we've intentionally chosen.

If we fail to define our own "what," the world will gladly define it for us.

We become passive recipients of circumstance, our lives become shaped by external forces rather than internal direction.

Our goals can easily be hindered by other people. That's a dangerous place to be.

To be passive in this world is to watch yourself endlessly rolling a boulder uphill, only to watch it roll back down - It is futile and meaningless labor.

As I said in a previous letter, “You are the center of your universe so if you want to embody a new reality, you have to change the things you do.”

You have to get intentional.

You have to get active.

Most People Are a Mile Wide and an Inch Deep

"You can do anything you put your mind to. But you can't do everything." - A quote I like

In a world of endless possibilities, this truth can feel limiting, even painful.

We are drawn to countless interests, tempted by diverse paths, and pressured to be "well-rounded."

However, the pursuit of true mastery demands a different approach.

It requires focus, discipline, and a willingness to say "no" to the good in order to say "yes" to the great.

Everyone has a natural talent, a spark of potential that with dedicated cultivation, can blossom into something extraordinary.

But to leave a lasting legacy requires more than just talent; it demands depth.

It demands a relentless commitment to honing your skills, deepening your understanding, and pushing the boundaries of your craft.

It's about going beyond surface-level knowledge and developing an intuition, a fluency, a level of expertise that sets you apart.

Depth comes with anxiety.

Depth comes with more questions.

The deeper you dive into a topic, the more you'll realize that we can't be masters of more than 1 or 2 crafts at a time. There's just so much depth to everything.

The most successful people on the planet today have dedicated decades of their life to one thing and saying no to everything else.

Time, as we perceive it, is linear and unforgiving.

It marches forward, carrying us all towards the same inevitable destination.

In the grand cosmic timeline, our individual lives are fleeting moments, less than a blink of an eye.

Within a few generations, everyone who personally knew us will be gone.

Our physical presence will fade, and the only evidence of our existence will be the stories told, the impact we had, the epic shit we did.

This isn't meant to be a morbid thought, but rather a call to action.

It's a reminder of the urgency of living with intention and making the most of our limited time.

You can't leave a dent in the universe by standing still.

You can't inspire awe by playing it safe.

You can't be great by doing everything and being everywhere.

You can't be remembered for being "about nothing."

You are what you do

Ultimately, "what you are about" isn't determined by your thoughts, your feelings, or even your intentions.

It's defined by your actions, by what you consistently do with your time and energy.

You are a writer simply because you write.

You are a teacher because you teach and you are honest because you tell the truth, in much the same way that you are a liar when you lie.

Action is the name of the game.

If you spend your days scrolling through social media, passively consuming content, and avoiding meaningful engagement, then you are "about" passive consumption.

If you dedicate your time to learning, creating, building, and contributing to the world, then you are "about" creation and impact.

Your actions are the brushstrokes that paint the canvas of your life.

They are the building blocks that construct your legacy.

They are the compass that guides your journey.

You Need to Know Yourself

You cant answer the question "What are you about?" if you don't even know yourself.

To really answer the question, you must embark on a journey of self-discovery.

You need to journey into the depths of your being and uncover the passions, values, and talents that lie dormant within you.

What ignites your curiosity?

What makes you lose track of time?

What problems do you feel compelled to solve?

What impact do you want to make on the world?

These questions are not easy to answer, and the answers may evolve over time.

But the pursuit of them is essential for a life of purpose and fulfillment.

The truth is that no two people are going to be obsessed with the exact same crevice of reality.

And as you evolve and experience more, this becomes even more true because we all learn, practice and experience slightly different cocktails of existence.

What goal are you working towards?

Why are you working towards it?

What is the desired outcome that you are trying to achieve?

These are the questions you need to answer to truly know what you are about.

Self-Preservation is Now More Important Than Ever

In an age of endless distractions and competing priorities, the greatest challenge may not be finding your "what," but rather protecting it.

We are bombarded with information, pulled in a million different directions, and pressured to conform to the expectations of society.

To stay true to your purpose requires ruthless focus, a willingness to say "no" to the noise, and the courage to prioritize your own path.

It's about guarding your mind, as I mentioned in a previous letter, and intentionally directing your attention towards that which truly matters.

It's a constant battle, a daily exercise in self-discipline.

But the rewards – clarity, fulfillment, and a sense of deep meaning – are worth the effort.

Conclusion

In the end, your life is a story, an unfolding narrative written by your actions.

It's a story that is constantly being revised, with each choice shaping the trajectory of your journey.

You have the power to be the author of your own story, to craft a narrative that resonates with purpose and leaves a lasting impact.

But it requires intention, courage, and a relentless commitment to living in alignment with your "what."