New year, nothingness, and the quest for life’s meaning
As the calendar turned to 2026, millions have engaged in the time-honored tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions, viewing the new year as a blank canvas for self-improvement. Beneath this widespread practice lies a profound philosophical undercurrent: the concept of nothingness, a theme explored by thinkers from Jean-Paul Sartre to Buddhist scholars for centuries.
Jean-Paul Sartre famously asserted that “man is condemned to be free.” In his seminal work, “Being and Nothingness,” he argued that consciousness is a fundamental nothingness that distinguishes us from the objective world. This void is not a deficiency but rather the very condition that enables authentic choice. When we establish our New Year’s goals, we are, in Sartrean terms, confronting this nothingness and deciding how to fill it with purposeful action.
Eastern philosophy provides a complementary perspective. The Kyoto School philosopher Kitarō Nishida articulated the concept of absolute nothingness as the dynamic foundation from which all phenomena emerge. This is not a static void but a fertile source of potential. By shedding old habits, we allow this absolute nothingness, in Nishida’s sense, to foster new ways of living.
Similarly, Buddhism’s doctrine of śūnyatā (emptiness) posits that all phenomena lack intrinsic existence. Through meditative recognition of the emptiness of habitual cravings, practitioners can liberate themselves to embrace new, healthier behaviors. The process of making resolutions can thus become a practice of mindfulness: observing the transient nature of past habits and gently nurturing new virtues.
Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of active nihilism encourages us not to lament the collapse of old values but to reevaluate and forge new standards. When approached with Nietzschean vigor, the New Year tradition becomes a laboratory for creating personal meaning, transforming the void of January into a space for self-overcoming.
The psychological resonance of these ideas is profound. Contemporary research on goal setting underscores the importance of implementation intentions- specific, concrete plans- in bridging the gap between intention and action, echoing Sartre’s assertion that freedom must be exercised through tangible projects.
Many resolutions falter when they overlook the underlying philosophical dimension. By treating the new year as a mere checklist rather than a dynamic field of possibilities, we risk reverting to inauthentic patterns. Recognizing the philosophical stakes can transform a superficial wish list into a deeply personal and potent commitment.
To integrate this philosophy into practice, consider the following three-step framework:
Acknowledge the void: Identify and articulate what you are willing to let go of.
Define authentic intent: Clearly express why each goal is significant to you, independent of external expectations.
Create concrete micro steps: Break down abstract aspirations into actionable weekly tasks that embody the freedom Sartre championed.
The New Year’s ritual is far more than a cultural tradition; it is a microcosm of existential philosophy. By consciously engaging with the notion of nothingness—whether through Sartre’s freedom, Buddhist emptiness, or Nietzsche’s revaluation—we can transform the blank page of 2026 into a purposeful narrative, written by our own hands.
Let us therefore greet the new year not merely with hopeful platitudes, but with a mindful awareness of the philosophical depths that empower our aspirations. In doing so, we honor both the tradition of resolution-making and the timeless human quest to give shape to the void.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
Marikina City
