Are we just living like butterflies, following a pre-written destiny?

Everything eventually comes full circle. The universe is just one big closed loop.

You just gotta let go and go with the flow.

You can't spend your whole life being such a massive pessimist; there's just no way that works out.

Even though it feels like this right now, if I can't make it through, then screw it—I'll just check out early and find my way back to this exact same spot anyway.

Man, I feel like I'm never gonna reach nirvana. 🙂

Are we just living like butterflies, following some pre-written script?

I can't say I agree. Honestly, if you simply surrender yourself to the flow, fate will surely take hold of you.

From my own experience, I have intervened in the course of my life quite many times, effectively altering the very trajectory of my destiny through sheer personal agency.

I don't subscribe to the idea of fate; I believe solely in the power of change.

mistyseal11 said:Everything eventually comes full circle. The universe is just one big closed loop.

You just gotta let go and go with the flow.

You can't spend your whole life being such a massive pessimist; there's just no way that works out.

Even though it feels like this right now, if I can't make it through, then screw it—I'll just check out early and find my way back to this exact same spot anyway.

Man, I feel like I'm never gonna reach nirvana. 🙂

But wait—have you considered that you might have ended up in this state in the first place because you let yourself go too far? 🙄

Try rewinding the whole story in your head by constantly asking, "What led up to this moment... what happened right before that... what caused *that*..." and for every single step, really dig into how many actual choices you had versus how much was just pure, random chaos 🙂

For example, I met this one girl because of a total blowout fight down at a local fishing pond. How?

It all started because of my buddy's ex... some guys got confused and decided to jump my friend...

I ended up breaking a bone in my hand—my metacarpal—and now I need surgery. While I'm stuck here in the hospital room, there’s this older guy nearby whose daughter is coming to visit him 😁

mistyseal11 said:For sure.

Is suicide even an exit at this point? Or is death just the inevitable fallout from thinking like this?
(It’s basically a self-fulfilling prophecy / tempting fate)

When you reach this particular state of mind, suicide doesn't even cross your thoughts because you recognize its utter futility. This is true nihilism; you understand that you are essentially nothing, that you possess no influence over anything, and that your entire existence is merely a fleeting moment—as insignificant as a single heartbeat. You don't waste energy on hope, optimism, or the illusion that you are someone special or important. You have simply accepted the reality that life happens, and you are nothing more than a silent observer.

I find that perspective quite compelling. 🙂

Well, you always have some level of agency 🤷, even if it feels limited—in the absolute worst-case scenario, you’re still weighing two different paths, which means you're still making a choice. You could have opted to skip the trip entirely and head somewhere else instead; who knows what kind of people you might have crossed paths with there? 🙂
It really all boils down to what your ultimate goal is. 🤷

Bradley Gonzalez4 said:Well, you always have some level of agency 🤷, even if it feels limited—in the absolute worst-case scenario, you’re still weighing two different paths, which means you're still making a choice. You could have opted to skip the trip entirely and head somewhere else instead; who knows what kind of people you might have crossed paths with there? 🙂
It really all boils down to what your ultimate goal is. 🤷

Do you truly believe that the mere act of choosing between two equally undesirable options holds any actual substance? 😕

hiddenhound3 said:When you reach this particular state of mind, suicide doesn't even cross your thoughts because you recognize its utter futility. This is true nihilism; you understand that you are essentially nothing, that you possess no influence over anything, and that your entire existence is merely a fleeting moment—as insignificant as a single heartbeat. You don't waste energy on hope, optimism, or the illusion that you are someone special or important. You have simply accepted the reality that life happens, and you are nothing more than a silent observer.

I find that perspective quite compelling. 🙂

True, but there’s a catch—everything seems fine until you actually get a shot at something you truly desire, only to find yourself paralyzed, unable to take action because you've fully embraced the idea that life just happens to you.🙄

hiddenhound3 said:Do you truly believe that the mere act of choosing between two equally undesirable options holds any actual substance? 😕

Not really—but look, if you refuse to choose between two lesser evils and just leave everything up to fate, you might find yourself facing an even greater catastrophe instead. 😉
You see what I mean? 🙂

Bradley Gonzalez4 said:True, but there’s a catch—everything seems fine until you actually get a shot at something you truly desire, only to find yourself paralyzed, unable to take action because you've fully embraced the idea that life just happens to you.🙄

Resistance is ultimately futile; life has a way of assimilating you before you even realize it has happened. 😉

Bradley Gonzalez4 said:Not really—but look, if you refuse to choose between two lesser evils and just leave everything up to fate, you might find yourself facing an even greater catastrophe instead. 😉
You see what I mean? 🙂

But how can anyone truly be certain that their chosen path won't lead them directly into a much deeper predicament? Everything we experience, along with every decision we make, feels like a double-edged sword—a bit of luck amidst misfortune, or perhaps misfortune disguised as luck. We are essentially trapped in a continuous cycle with no clear exit, and the more powerless a person feels, the more desperately they struggle through these endless decisions and choices.

Charles Richardson50 said:I’ve finally embraced this state of complete neutrality—no reactions, no expectations, no highs, no lows, and certainly no fear. I don't expect anything from life because, frankly, it’s all just fleeting; the time we’re granted is such a
tiny blip in the vastness of the universe that it’s hardly worth making a fuss about.
Don't mistake me for being a pessimist or someone struggling with depression; it’s more of a simple realization. This brief existence we have is a gift, really, and it should be lived through without the weight of massive expectations—much like how a butterfly lives out its few days and then simply vanishes. Our fate is already written, and since we are essentially condemned to pass through this world, we might as well accept that reality without letting emotions get in the way.

until one day you just snap and end your own life or take someone else's with you.

Five profound reasons why suicide is never the answer☕

neonbear6 said:Five profound reasons why suicide is never the answer☕

Honestly, that's just a poorly framed question... and some people actually find the exact answer they're looking for right there within it.

Charles Richardson50 said:I’ve finally embraced this state of complete neutrality—no reactions, no expectations, no highs, no lows, and certainly no fear. I don't expect anything from life because, frankly, it’s all just fleeting; the time we’re granted is such a
tiny blip in the vastness of the universe that it’s hardly worth making a fuss about.
Don't mistake me for being a pessimist or someone struggling with depression; it’s more of a simple realization. This brief existence we have is a gift, really, and it should be lived through without the weight of massive expectations—much like how a butterfly lives out its few days and then simply vanishes. Our fate is already written, and since we are essentially condemned to pass through this world, we might as well accept that reality without letting emotions get in the way.

It's great that you've managed to fool yourself like that—the only question is how long you can keep it up...

Charles Richardson50 said:I’ve finally embraced this state of complete neutrality—no reactions, no expectations, no highs, no lows, and certainly no fear. I don't expect anything from life because, frankly, it’s all just fleeting; the time we’re granted is such a
tiny blip in the vastness of the universe that it’s hardly worth making a fuss about.
Don't mistake me for being a pessimist or someone struggling with depression; it’s more of a simple realization. This brief existence we have is a gift, really, and it should be lived through without the weight of massive expectations—much like how a butterfly lives out its few days and then simply vanishes. Our fate is already written, and since we are essentially condemned to pass through this world, we might as well accept that reality without letting emotions get in the way.

Honestly, I’d rather live just one single day feeling everything I’m supposed to feel than spend an entire lifetime drifting through it like this.

Charles Richardson50 said:I’ve finally embraced this state of complete neutrality—no reactions, no expectations, no highs, no lows, and certainly no fear. I don't expect anything from life because, frankly, it’s all just fleeting; the time we’re granted is such a
tiny blip in the vastness of the universe that it’s hardly worth making a fuss about.
Don't mistake me for being a pessimist or someone struggling with depression; it’s more of a simple realization. This brief existence we have is a gift, really, and it should be lived through without the weight of massive expectations—much like how a butterfly lives out its few days and then simply vanishes. Our fate is already written, and since we are essentially condemned to pass through this world, we might as well accept that reality without letting emotions get in the way.

Look, we’re all human, and eventually, the same thing happens to everyone. But, I guess, we actually shape our own futures, so it’s really up to you how you handle it. Are you gonna keep sitting there with your arms crossed, brooding over a world that's eventually going to vanish, or are you actually gonna do something to be happy? I mean, should we all just live totally emotionless, obsessing over the fact that we're all gonna die one day and just waiting for the clock to run out? Probably not. I hope you stay healthy. It’s usually only when things actually go sideways in life that you realize how much every little thing matters. The years fly by way too fast, so I guess you should just make them count however you see fit. Take care.

Charles Richardson50 said:I’ve finally embraced this state of complete neutrality—no reactions, no expectations, no highs, no lows, and certainly no fear. I don't expect anything from life because, frankly, it’s all just fleeting; the time we’re granted is such a
tiny blip in the vastness of the universe that it’s hardly worth making a fuss about.
Don't mistake me for being a pessimist or someone struggling with depression; it’s more of a simple realization. This brief existence we have is a gift, really, and it should be lived through without the weight of massive expectations—much like how a butterfly lives out its few days and then simply vanishes. Our fate is already written, and since we are essentially condemned to pass through this world, we might as well accept that reality without letting emotions get in the way.

That mindset might work if life were as short as a butterfly's, but what about living 60 or 70 years like that? 🤦

I was once forced to numb my emotions just to survive professionally. I spent nearly a year working like a machine, completely cold, because it was the only way to succeed in my career. It bled into my personal life, too. I went from an enthusiastic young man to someone totally phlegmatic. After a year of that, I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't like the people around me, and I certainly didn't like myself for becoming so detached. Now, I'm reclaiming my enthusiasm for life and everything else... feeling alive is much more fulfilling than being empty.

redmarlin3 said:Honestly, I’d rather live just one single day feeling everything I’m supposed to feel than spend an entire lifetime drifting through it like this.

Suppressing your emotions does not imply they simply do not exist; rather, it means you are exercising control over your reactions, which, if we are being honest, is often the wiser path to take.😁

hiddenhound3 said:Suppressing your emotions does not imply they simply do not exist; rather, it means you are exercising control over your reactions, which, if we are being honest, is often the wiser path to take.😁

But I think you might be missing the point; the author wasn't saying she suppresses her feelings, she was saying she genuinely doesn't care.