Beyond the Pursuit: How Existentialism Redefines Happiness

When was the last time you sat quietly and truly reflected on what happiness means to you?

In our modern world, happiness often feels like a goalpost that keeps shifting just out of reach.

We chase it in career milestones, relationships, possessions, or fleeting experiences.

Yet, existentialism—a philosophical perspective that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and authenticity—suggests that this pursuit is fundamentally flawed.

Today, as I sit here on a quiet Thursday with my favorite slice of cake, contemplating this notion, I wonder: is chasing happiness truly worth it?

Happiness in Existentialism

From an existentialist perspective, happiness is not a destination, nor is it something external that we can simply acquire or attain.

It’s not found in a specific career, a certain amount of wealth, or a particular relationship.

Instead, happiness is a state of being that emerges from living authentically—embracing the freedom, the uncertainty, and the weight of responsibility that comes with creating one’s own life.

It’s about finding peace not in perfection, but in the very act of being true to yourself, despite all the chaos and unpredictability life throws your way.

Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard challenge us to reconsider everything we’ve been taught about happiness.

They remind us that life is inherently uncertain and often painfully absurd.

As Sartre famously put it, “existence precedes essence,” meaning we are not born with an inherent purpose or blueprint for happiness.

Instead, we must create our own meaning and identity through our choices, actions, and experiences.

This understanding, deeply rooted in existentialism, forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that happiness cannot be simply found by reaching some predefined finish line.

Sartre’s idea of authenticity calls on us to acknowledge our profound freedom, the ability to choose for ourselves, even in the face of overwhelming societal pressures.

In a world where we are often told who we should be and what we should strive for, existentialism urges us to step back and ask:

“What do I truly want? What kind of life do I want to create, independent of others’ expectations?”

Authenticity doesn’t mean simply doing whatever we feel like in the moment, but rather making choices that align with our deepest values, even if those choices are difficult or unpopular.

Sartre believed that this freedom is both liberating and terrifying—because with it comes the responsibility for every decision we make.

On the other hand, Kierkegaard suggests a more spiritual path to happiness, one that embraces life’s paradoxes and uncertainties.

His concept of the “leap of faith” challenges us to take bold steps into the unknown, to choose meaning even when the world around us offers none.

This leap isn’t about a blind faith in religion or in some grand universal plan, but about taking responsibility for our lives in the face of all the contradictions that make up the human experience.

“The most common form of despair,” Kierkegaard wrote, “is not being who you are.”

By embracing our contradictions and imperfections, we can live a more profound, enduring form of happiness—not one that is free from suffering, but one that is rich with meaning because we’ve chosen it.

And in that process, we may just discover that the peace we seek isn’t the absence of struggle, but the courage to face it and transform it into something meaningful.

The Illusion of the Happiness Chase

Modern culture often conflates happiness with momentary euphoria, a fleeting feeling tied to accomplishments or possessions.

However, this chase often leads to a cycle of short-lived rewards and persistent anxiety.

The Cycle of Pursuit:

StageExperience
DesireA longing for something external—success, love, recognition.
PursuitEfforts and sacrifices made to achieve the desired goal.
Momentary EuphoriaA fleeting reward upon achieving the goal, often accompanied by relief.
DissatisfactionThe realization that the happiness was temporary, leading to a new cycle of desire.

This cycle mirrors what existentialists call the human condition—our tendency to seek meaning and satisfaction in an indifferent universe.

Albert Camus, in The Myth of Sisyphus, likens this pursuit to the story of Sisyphus, endlessly rolling a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down.

True happiness, Camus suggests, comes not from escaping this condition but from embracing it with defiance and joy.

A Modern Example: The Pursuit of Happyness

The 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith, provides a strong example of this existential struggle.

Chris Gardner, the protagonist, embodies the relentless chase for a better life. He battles homelessness, unemployment, and despair while striving to provide for his son.

At first glance, the movie appears to celebrate achieving happiness through perseverance. Yet, an existential lens reveals a deeper truth: Gardner’s ultimate triumph isn’t just in securing a job but in finding meaning and purpose in his struggle.

His happiness is not tied solely to the end result but also to his commitment to his values and responsibilities.

Gardner’s story reminds us that while achievements may bring joy, the deeper satisfaction lies in the courage to face life’s challenges authentically.

By Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (work for hire) -,Public Domain

An Older Example: Anna Karenina

In Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, the titular character’s pursuit of romantic happiness begins as a daring act of defiance but ends as a haunting cautionary tale.

Trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, Anna seeks liberation and passion in her affair with Count Vronsky, abandoning her husband and child to follow her desires.

Her rebellion against societal norms offers her fleeting ecstasy but sets her on a path of irreversible isolation and despair.

Initially, Anna’s affair appears to be the freedom she craves—a life fueled by passion and self-determination.

Yet, the cost of her choices quickly emerges. Ostracized by society and dependent on Vronsky for her sense of worth, Anna becomes consumed by jealousy and insecurity.

What once felt like liberation devolves into a prison of her own making.

Her happiness, built on external validation and transient desires, cannot withstand the pressure of social condemnation and her own inner turmoil.

Tolstoy’s masterpiece exposes the existential fragility of chasing happiness without a foundation of authenticity or responsibility.

Anna’s refusal to reconcile her desires with the broader realities of her life—her role as a mother, the societal norms she challenges, and the fragility of her relationship—leads to her undoing.

Her tragic end underscores an existential truth: happiness sought as an escape or as a solitary goal is inherently unstable.

Accepting the Chaos

I used to think happiness was something to be achieved—like a trophy to be displayed on a shelf.

I set goals, worked tirelessly, and celebrated when I reached or semi-reached them. But the joy never lasted. I always found myself asking, “What’s next?”

It wasn’t until I stumbled upon existentialist philosophy that I began to reconsider.

I realized that my restlessness wasn’t a flaw; it was part of being human.

The key wasn’t to escape it but to embrace it. Instead of chasing happiness, I began focusing on living authentically—pursuing activities and relationships that aligned with my values and passions, even if they didn’t always bring immediate joy.

For me, happiness now feels less like a destination and more like a companion on the journey.

It flows, but it’s always there in some form—whether in the quiet satisfaction of writing this article or the laughter shared with friends over coffee.

My tips

Embrace Uncertainty

Recognize that life’s unpredictability is not exactly a barrier to happiness; it could also be a source of richness and depth.

As Kierkegaard suggests, take the “leap of faith” into the unknown.

Seek Authenticity

Align your actions and choices with your true self. Reflect on what truly matters to you and make decisions that honor those values.

Find Joy in the Journey

Instead of focusing solely on end goals, find meaning and satisfaction in the process. Like Camus’ Sisyphus, learn to love the act of rolling the boulder.

Let Go of Perfection

Accept that life is messy and imperfect. True happiness often emerges from embracing the chaos rather than trying to control or avoid it.

Closing Thoughts

Happiness, in the existentialist sense, is not something to be chased but something to be created.

It’s a byproduct of living authentically, embracing uncertainty, and finding meaning in both joy and struggle.

As you go about your day, consider this: happiness isn’t waiting for you at the end of a long journey.

It’s already here, quietly settling on you like sunlight through the trees—if you allow it. So take a deep breath, savor the moment, and let happiness find you.

Chasing Happiness

We chase it far and wide,
In goals and love and things,
But in the quiet moments,
True peace softly springs.

Happiness is not a prize,
But found in being true,
In embracing life’s chaos,
And letting it shape you.

– Anonymous

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