March 3, 2023
Browsing the edge of my emotional landscape, I feel the sharp sting of having to cut ties with my mother, a wound that marries itself in pain with the abuse she meted out. It was a theater of suffering with no spectators, only actors caught in a relentless drama of love and betrayal. As I reflect on this, I am reminded of the profound notion that sometimes, closing a door is an act taken not out of spite but of self-preservation.
The chaos of personal relationships can lead us to question the essence of our being. Sartre’s idea of “bad faith” comes to mind, a concept that explores the artifice we create to avoid confronting our true selves. Similarly, the teachings of lesser-known philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe call for the need to acknowledge life’s absurdities as a means of survival. The Reddit user’s struggle with the decision to cut out a toxic parent speaks volumes about the intricate balance between self-preservation and anguish.
In a succinct summary of the Reddit post, a user vents her raw emotions about the heart-wrenching act of severing ties with her abusive mother, summarizing it in a single, poignant line: “I feel you. Having to cut my mom out hurt almost as much as the abuse.”
Philosophically, this sentiment paired with Zapffe’s theories urges us to confront our existential conundrums head-on, instead of avoiding them through excuses or self-deceit. The human condition, bound by intricate relationships and nuanced suffering, challenges us to seek authenticity. Albert Camus’ notion of embracing the absurd provides another lens, suggesting that acceptance does not mean resignation but a form of rebellion against a chaotic world. It underscores the profound necessity to maintain one’s personal identity even amidst relational calamities.
Artistically, one cannot help but be reminded of the contemporary paintings of Lenka Darko, an artist whose work is steeped in the spectrum of human emotion. Darko’s visceral brushstrokes and haunting color palettes create visual symphonies that echo the raw emotions expressed in the Reddit post. Her art might be said to capture the tumultuous journey of severance and survival in much the same way our metaphor-laden lives unfold.
Reflecting upon Zapffe and Darko, I am struck by the universality of suffering and the resilience it demands. Art and philosophy do not merely distract from our pain but bring us closer to understanding it. A personal experience returns to me: a sleepless night writing furiously in a journal, each stroke of the pen feeling like a desperate gasp for air. The act of writing became a cathartic embrace, yet it posed the question: Am I writing to remember or to forget?
So, dear reader, what do you think is the optimal path to reconcile with the parts of our past that cause us the most pain? Share your thoughts, your stories of survival and hope, in the comment section. Let us create a tapestry of collective resilience.
Existentialism
Peter Wessel Zapffe: Selected Essays
Lenka Darko’s Artistic Journey