I know what “nothing” means, and keep on playing.

What's the meaning of this quote?

Quote Meaning: The quote "I know what 'nothing' means, and keep on playing" encapsulates a profound understanding of the concept of emptiness or insignificance and how it affects one's actions and mindset. At its core, the quote reflects a deep awareness of the nature of 'nothingness,' or the idea that sometimes, despite our efforts or desires, we might face situations where nothing seems to matter or have any substantial impact.

Understanding "nothing" can be seen as recognizing that there are moments in life when our actions or aspirations may feel futile or unimportant. This could be in the face of overwhelming challenges, feelings of inadequacy, or existential reflections about the nature of life itself. It’s an acknowledgment that there are times when our efforts seem to have little effect or when the results of our actions appear inconsequential.

ELEVATE
Free Resource: A step-by-step blueprint to realize your dreams

Despite this recognition of emptiness or futility, the second part of the quote, "keep on playing," carries an important message about resilience and perseverance. It suggests that even when faced with the awareness of 'nothing,' one should continue to engage with life actively and energetically. "Playing" here represents a metaphor for continuing to engage with life, pursuing passions, and maintaining a sense of enthusiasm and purpose. It implies that recognizing the transient or sometimes meaningless nature of our endeavors shouldn't deter us from continuing to live fully and actively.

In essence, the quote encourages a balance between acknowledging the moments of insignificance and maintaining a commitment to personal engagement and joy. It advocates for a perspective where one can understand and accept the concept of 'nothingness' without letting it paralyze them or diminish their zest for life. It’s about finding a way to embrace the uncertainty and inherent meaninglessness in life while still moving forward with purpose and enjoyment.

Who said the quote?

The quote "I know what "nothing" means, and keep on playing." is often attributed to Joan Didion (Quotes). Joan Didion was a celebrated American writer known for her influential essays and novels exploring contemporary culture.

Reading is Smart. Applying is Smarter:  Apply
Subscribe on YouTube to get more wisdom:  

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.

 
Actualize Your Potential
Get my simplified process for realizing dreams (The exact process that enabled me to achieve 100 life goals in 10 years)
GET IT FREE:
Access my Start With WHY workbook for free, designed to guide you toward your purpose and the person you are meant to become
expert_advice
Align With Your Why
Elevate In Your Inbox
Get actionable insights, best practices, and wisdom you can apply — No hype, No fluff. Just practical ideas that might change your life.

Read The Art of Fully Living

There's no going back-once you embark on the journey you're meant to live, it's impossible to settle for anything less than your dreams.

Click here to learn more

Set Better Goals

Learn a better and smarter approach to setting and achieving goals. It's not just about what you want to achieve, but who you must become in the process.

Click here to learn more
Take The Free Test
Discover your areas for growth in just 5 minutes. Take the FREE self-evaluation test and pinpoint where to focus your efforts

Uplevel Your Game

Explore The Roadmaps

Access a self-paced online roadmap that turns big goals into realities, complete with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices from the world's best minds
Reclaim your freedom, escape 9-5, and live the life you were meant to live — A self-paced roadmap with daily study guides, actionable steps, and proven practices

Explore The All-Access

Unlock unlimited, lifetime access to a growing library of actionable knowledge and study guides from the world's top minds.
Join The Accelerator
Join a 10-week, personalized immersion that will accelerate your goal-attainment, elevate you to your next level, and turn your big dreams into reality.
Learn More
Contact
Thanks for reading. It makes a difference. A portion of all proceeds from our endeavors supports entrepreneurs in the developing world. View Impact...