Dealing with existential nihilism

[Brian37]

I was born Christian, er Mormon. I think it's christian, others have their own opinions. My dad had indoctrinated me into atheism by giving me skeptic podcasts, which completely changed my viewpoint.

I was about 14 when I determined I didn't believe (have evidence for) god(s) but I have, in the last four years, not been able to shake my existential nihilism. Does anyone have an answer to the question: If there is no afterlife and no consciousnesses to remember what we did in life and we are forgotten, why does it matter? Why should I logically keep living?

Evolution. That is the science that explains why all life strives to the point of reproduction.

But as far as you personally, there is no reason to kill yourself or not kill yourself. I wouldn't use the word "off" which is what atheist means as far as god claims as an excuse to live or die.

There are very lagit reasons at a personal level one would want to call it quits. Medically speaking if one is terminal and in pain ending suffering would a damned good reason. I just watch my mom slowly decline in pain to her death, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Now as far as things like suicide because of mental illness such as depression, I can tell you I have had those thoughts since my teens occasionally, but at the same time, if I had killed myself, looking back now there would have been a lot I would not have been around to do, not to mention how it would emotionally scar those whom survive me.

Don't use your OP as an argument. Yes it is true ultimately our planet and the universe don't give one shit that we are here. But now, while we are alive it most certainly matters. I want to live even with all the bad right now, because I still have things I want to do and I am not in any physical pain and still have friends I want to talk to and be with. Your importance is what you make it now. 

In our daily lives outside science we do things knowing they end all the time, but still do them. You go to a movie knowing it will end, but you still go. You go to a sporting event knowing one team will win and one will lose, and it ends. You go to a music concert knowing it will end. You read a book knowing it has a last page. The ride being finite does not mean you cant enjoy it while you are on the ride, it only means it ends.

Accepting our finite existence does not have to be viewed negatively or fatalistically. It would be like killing yourself needlessly because you had to leave the amusement park because it closes at 11pm for the season.

My mom had a saying she printed out on a piece of paper she cut to ribbon size she gave me years ago which said, "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened".