A 1946 piece by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, based on a lecture he gave at Club Maintenant in Paris in 1945.

In this powerful, thought-provoking essay, Sartre outlines the concept of existentialism while addressing its common misconceptions. Through addressing fundamental questions around human existence, choice and freedom, Sartre’s existentialism settles on the empowering notion that as humans we are fundamentally free to create ourselves, our purpose and our own meaning in life through our daily choices. That our choices matter.

According to Sartre, freedom is not a question, not something we must find. Freedom is something we already have, but create for ourselves through a sense of awe towards life and recognizing that we must discover our own values, define our purpose and then from there, align our actions and daily intentions as a responsibility not only for ourselves, but for the rest of humanity.

“Il n’y a de réalité que dans l’action”

“[There] is no reality except in action”

– Jean-Paul Sartre