Existentialism and the Search for Meaning in a Post-COVID World

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world feels like it’s been flipped upside down, shaken, and left to figure out how to piece itself back together. The dust is settling, but the landscape is still shifting. In the early stages of the pandemic, we were all trapped in an unprecedented waiting room, unsure of what was coming next, while the world seemed to pause, only to slowly open up in bits and pieces, revealing that the future might look vastly different from what we once imagined. Amid this uncertainty, the search for meaning has become an increasingly urgent quest — one that aligns closely with existentialism, the philosophy of confronting the absurdity of existence in a world that often feels overwhelmingly indifferent to our personal struggles.

Existentialism, a school of thought made famous by philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Friedrich Nietzsche, begins with a simple yet profound question: Why are we here? This question, once abstract, has taken on a new urgency in the wake of a global crisis that has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. What does it mean to live authentically in a world that has been dramatically reshaped by a pandemic? How do we search for meaning when the old frameworks of certainty — work, social interaction, even health have been upended?

For those of us who were young during the quarantine: sitting in our rooms, watching the world change outside our windows — the pandemic may have felt like a bizarre, surreal episode of life. But for older generations, it likely was a sudden and jarring collision with existential questions that had long been buried under the routine of everyday life. The pandemic presented an existential crisis on a global scale, one where mortality, isolation, and the fragility of human connection were thrust into the forefront of our minds. For those in their teens or early twenties during the pandemic, it may have felt like we were thrust into an existential rite of passage, where the quest for meaning in life suddenly became an urgent matter.

Source: Waldemar, Unsplash

The Absurdity of Life Post-COVID

Albert Camus, in his novel The Myth of Sisyphus, speaks of the “absurd" — the conflict between our inherent desire for meaning and the chaotic, indifferent universe that provides none. During the pandemic, it seemed like the world was living in a never-ending absurdity. In lockdown, we had no clear end in sight, with months stretching into years of uncertainty. People’s lives were put on pause, and the daily rhythms we had taken for granted: socialising, working, travelling — came to a halt. Our routines were disrupted, and with them, many of us found ourselves questioning the meaning of our existence. What were we living for when the things we had previously focused on, such as career, social status, or entertainment, seemed irrelevant in the face of a global health crisis?

In my own experience, the pandemic felt like the universe was hitting the “reset” button on life, forcing everyone to reassess what mattered most. At first, I fought it. Thinking, “There has to be more to life than this.” But then, the absurdity became a strange kind of liberation. I realised how many of the daily activities I’d thought were essential — grinding through my schoolwork, constantly striving for success were, in the grand scheme of things, kind of pointless. What was the rush? As I sat in the comfort of my home, the world outside uncertain and chaotic, I came to appreciate the small moments. It felt as though I had to shed the pressure to constantly “do” and just exist. It was a strange kind of freedom, one that reminded me of Camus' belief that, even in the face of absurdity, we must find joy and meaning in the simple act of living.

We were forced to confront the absurdity of life head-on, much like Sisyphus, who is condemned to push a boulder up a hill for eternity, only to watch it roll back down again. What was the point of our daily routines when the world outside our homes was in disarray? The pandemic left us grasping for meaning in the face of existential uncertainty, but it also offered us an opportunity to redefine what is truly important. Like Sisyphus, we were left with the task of finding meaning in a world that seemed indifferent to our struggles.

The Quest for Authenticity in a World of Uncertainty

Existentialism teaches us that the search for meaning is not something to be handed to us by society, religion, or any external authority. Rather, meaning is something we must create for ourselves. Sartre famously stated that “existence precedes essence," meaning that we are born into a world without inherent purpose, and it is up to us to create our own meaning through the choices we make. In a post-COVID world, where the old certainties have been shattered, many of us are now faced with the daunting task of constructing meaning from scratch.

I’ve found this idea deeply resonant as I reflect on the aftermath of COVID. Before the pandemic, I was someone who, like most, got caught up in the rat race — looking for external validation through my grades, social interactions, and how many friends I have. But now, I’ve begun to see life in a different light. It’s not the external markers that matter anymore, it's about how we choose to live and who we become when we’re stripped of all that external noise. Finding authenticity in a world of uncertainty feels less daunting now, even though it’s still a work in progress. We’re all writing our own stories, and we have more agency than we think.

But how do we find authenticity in a world that has been fundamentally changed? For some, the pandemic was a wake-up call to reevaluate their priorities and reshape their lives around what truly matters. The rigid structures of pre-COVID life — jobs, social norms, and consumerism, suddenly seemed less important when faced with the fragility of life itself. Some found solace in personal growth, discovering new passions or strengthening relationships that had been neglected. Others, however, found themselves adrift in the face of uncertainty, unsure of how to define their post-pandemic identities.

For me, it’s been a journey of figuring out what truly aligns with my core values. No longer preoccupied with keeping up appearances, I’ve begun to appreciate the moments of stillness. Whether it’s sitting down with a good book, spending time with friends in an unhurried way, or simply being content with a quiet evening writing on my silly little blog you’re currently reading, I’ve realized that authenticity isn’t about grand gestures or monumental changes. It’s about small, consistent choices to live according to who I really am.

The Role of Social Connection and the Absurdity of Isolation

Another key tenet of existentialism is the idea of “bad faith", living inauthentically by denying one’s freedom and responsibility in order to conform to social expectations. During the pandemic, many found themselves trapped in a form of “bad faith," forced to deny their need for human connection. Social isolation, once a choice for introverts and recluses, became a reality for millions of people across the globe. The absence of social interactions left many people facing a crisis of meaning. We were no longer able to interact with the world in the same way; our lives became more inward-looking, and for many, it became harder to connect with others in meaningful ways.

Jean-Paul Sartre (Unknown Source)

But what is the role of social connection in the search for meaning? According to existentialist thought, relationships with others are essential in defining who we are. Sartre argued that “hell is other people," but this is not as grim as it may sound. What Sartre was trying to convey is that others are integral to our understanding of self, they serve as mirrors that reflect our own existence. When we were cut off from these reflections during the pandemic, it became harder to understand who we were and what we stood for. The absence of social connection led to an existential void, one that many struggled to fill.

For me, the isolation of the pandemic was both a burden and a blessing. On one hand, I craved the connection and normalcy I had taken for granted. On the other hand, I realised that I had to learn to be comfortable with myself, to appreciate solitude in a way that wasn’t about loneliness but reflection. When social interactions were restricted, I learned that I didn’t have to rely on the approval or validation of others to define who I am. Still, it’s clear that meaningful relationships are vital in shaping our identities. I believe the real task moving forward is to find a balance between individual authenticity and the need for connection.

The Meaning of Life After COVID: A New Beginning?

In conclusion, the post-COVID world presents an existential challenge: how do we move forward in a world that has been forever altered by the pandemic? The crisis has forced us to confront our own mortality and question the meaning of life itself. But it has also given us the opportunity to rethink what truly matters. As Sartre would argue, it is not the world that gives us meaning; rather, it is up to each of us to create meaning through our choices and actions.

So, perhaps the question we should be asking ourselves is not, “What is the meaning of life?" but rather, “How will I choose to live it?" The pandemic has forced us to pause and reflect, but now it’s been 5 years since, I’m sure we’ve all gotten back on our feet, dust ourselves off, and face the future with the kind of freedom that comes from understanding that, in the end, we are the authors of our own meaning.

S xoxo

Written in London, England

24th February 2025