“Life doesn’t make any sense, and we all pretend it does. Comedy’s job is to point out that it doesn’t make sense, and that it doesn’t make much difference anyway.” ~ Eric Idle
Why do we constantly feel the need to explain ourselves? There are elements to life that are simply unexplainable. Yet, we persist in searching for meaning, demanding logic in a world that often defies it.
“To demand ‘sense’ is the hallmark of nonsense. Nature does not make sense. Nothing makes sense.” ~ Ayn Rand
Franz Kafka’s The Trial captures the absurdity of existence—the way we are often expected to justify ourselves without knowing the reason why. But here’s the truth, you do not have to justify every decision. You do not have to explain every interest, hobby, or obsession.
“Because it makes me happy.”
“I like the way it makes me feel.”
That can be reason enough. Technical knowledge and appreciation can deepen your love for something, but they are not the sole reasons you feel the way you do. Passion is not bound by logic.
I love cinema. I appreciate the technical aspects—lighting, framing, storytelling, the way certain directors use colour. But these alone do not explain the way movies make me feel. That feeling—the unquantifiable, indescribable essence of why I love cinema—does not require explanation.
Some things just resonate. Some things just are. And that’s okay.
Not everything has to make sense to you all the time—it certainly does not require justification to those around you. That does not mean we should live recklessly, only pursuing what feels good in the moment. But it does mean that not every interest, passion, or joy needs a logical reason. If it makes sense to you, that might be justification enough.
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
The same can be said for modern art. Classical art is often about conventional beauty, symmetry, and form. Modern art, however, prioritizes expression—both of the artist and the viewer.
It does not always strive to make sense; rather, it seeks to evoke emotion. That is why modern art incorporates objects that carry meaning beyond their function—broken skateboards, clocks, old books, hand tools—items that, to some, may seem random but to others hold deep emotional significance.
It is not about whether these things logically belong in an art piece; it is about the feelings they bring out in those who see them.
“The danger of practicality is that it can become a substitute for meaning.”
Too much of our decision-making nowadays is centered around practicality, conventionalism, and financial sense. But why do we prioritise these things above all else? Why does the issue of feeling rarely come into play? It might make the most logical sense to buy a practical SUV with low mileage and family-friendly features, but why not buy the 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL instead? Maybe it has that indescribable quality that makes you feel something.
Why do we always prioritize comfort and practicality over something that simply brings us joy?
Again, I am not saying we should live recklessly and constantly chase pleasure. But at what point do we become so responsible, so by-the-book, that we actually become miserable? What are the things we can choose to splurge on, be silly over, nerd out on, and be happy for it?
“My feelings are too loud for words and too shy for the world.” ~ Dejan Stojanovic
Be unapologetic about what excites you. Social media has made the world smaller, breaking down barriers that once kept niche interests isolated. The people around you may not always share your passions, but somewhere out there, a whole community does.
The internet has given us the power to connect with those who get it—who see the world the way we do. So share what you love, talk about the things that move you, and don’t water yourself down for the sake of fitting in. You never know who might be waiting to hear exactly what you have to say.
You are unique, but you are not the only one who feels the way you do. Talk about your passions. Pursue them. Find the people who understand you. The world is full of others just like you—don’t keep your passions hidden.
It doesn’t have to make sense. It just has to be real to you.
