The other day, the company I work for secured a large project. Issue is, of course, that the execution part of the project is only a few months away. I’m already working to the brim and this is just adding on top, yet it’s fantastic news for our compay. Initially, I wanted to respond with panic and despair.
On my bike ride home from work that day, that’s when I reminded myself of the concept of cosmic insignificance and how I can use it to intentionally regain clarity and purpose when I struggle. Upon reminding myself of the cosmically inconsequentiality of the new project, I quickly relaxed and regained my footing in the situation.
Let me explain how it works.
The Concept of Cosmic Insignificance
When I was just starting to dip my toes in philosophy, I first came across about the term ‘cosmic insignificance’ in William B. Irvine’s great intro to Stoicism A Guide To The Good Life.
Cosmic (in)significance is about realizing that in the grand cosmic scheme of things, we humans are just a tiny speck, barely making a blip compared to the mind-boggling vastness of the universe.
The sense of relief you can experience when you intentionally shrink your struggles and anxieties into irrelevance is a powerful driver towards a calmer existence.
To put it more simply, as William B. Irvine said, “What seems vitally important to us will seem unimportant to our grandchildren.” Or more bluntly, as Stephen Hawking said in an interview in 1995, “We are just a chemical scum on a moderate-sized planet, orbiting round a very average star in the outer suburb of one among a hundred billion galaxies.”
The scale of the universe overshadows human existence. It almost begs the age-old question of “What is the meaning of life?” However, this is not to say, in a true existential nihilism way, that life has no objective purpose or intrinsic value. Our lives have a lot of meaning, and we can benefit from being aware of our place on the cosmic timeline.
Reduce the Importance to Find Deeper Meaning
I came across this topic again in one of the best books I read during the Covid lockdown, Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. That’s when the idea cemented for me.
Oliver Burkeman argues in the chapter “Cosmic Insignificance Therapy” that remembering “how little you matter, on a cosmic timescale, can feel like putting down a heavy burden that most of us didn’t realize we were carrying in the first place.”
With the pressure off your shoulders, you open up to self-reflection and awareness about what you actually find significant in your life, which are exactly the things that you have subconsciously been devaluing.
Relationship issues, work conflicts, money struggles – whatever it is, we all experience stress at times in our lives.
Recognizing our microscopic impact in the vast universe makes it less painful to go through life’s curveballs. The sense of relief you can experience when you intentionally shrink your struggles and anxieties into irrelevance is a powerful driver towards a calmer existence.
Some might argue that it takes away the meaning and purpose from situations. I’ll say the opposite is the case. It’s not about reducing the importance of a conflict, struggle, or anxiety. It’s about creating mental capacity to handle what’s coming in a relaxed and concise way, rather than acting based on stress or emotions.
The idea of reducing importance is about finding balance and perspective in our lives, not denying the importance of everything altogether. Remembering the cosmic insignificance of our daily struggles can help us put things in perspective and reduce unnecessary stress.
Pause and Reflect To Find Clarity
Ever since I learned about this concept, I’ve used it many times to smile when others complain. It feels like it makes me surf on a wave that never crashes, a constant and smooth ride that I never want to end. I find that it brings me a sense of contentment and peace that I can’t find anywhere else.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by a new thing, take a moment to pause and breathe. Consider the cosmic insignificance of the situation and how it pales in comparison to the vastness of the universe. Take a walk and enjoy the fresh air while you contemplate this question. As you proceed, let this new perspective bring you clarity and happiness, and remember that you are just a small part of something much bigger and greater than yourself.