Week 27 - "What matters to you defines your mattering" - John Green
Took a different approach this week. I'd love to hear your thoughts :)
“Does it even matter?”
I think everyone has asked themselves this question at least once in their lifetime. It’s a simple question that usually helps us zoom out of whatever problem or stress we’re dealing with.
For most, the answer is no. In the grand scheme of things, that job promotion, that school you want to get into, that girl you’ve wanted to ask out, does not matter. It might to you, but zoom out of your personal experience, and it doesn’t.
Does that mean nothing matters? Yes... No... Maybe?
Lets’s start with what it means for something to matter. For something to matter, it must be important1. Seems simple enough, but what’s important? It’s a deeply personal question, but to answer it generally, I’d say that something is important if it affects a substantial amount of people.
If we proceed with that definition, then some things most definitely matter.
Nuclear war? Last time I checked, that’s a global threat so that’s a definite yes.
Climate change? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
You forgot to study for your test? Uh… No.
A global pandemic? Pretty self-explanatory.
You woke up late? Don’t think so.
I’m noticing a pattern here. If we use our blanket definition of what matters, almost everything that we as individuals face does not matter.
That’s not me preaching nihilism or anything like that. If anything, it’s the opposite.
If an action holds significance for you but not for the majority of people, its importance becomes inconsequential. You have no authority over what matters to others; hence, their values should not trouble you. Therefore, your failure to study for that test or being late for class only matters to you. And for that reason, it’s all the more important.
And if you’re struggling with figuring out what you value and find important, try to remember not to think too hard. We’re all spinning on a rock in the middle of the vastness that is space. What you love, hate, or don’t know how to feel about doesn’t need a justification. After all, it doesn’t matter.
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“Matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.