Existential Crisis

They may wonder what the meaning of their life is and whether they have a higher purpose. They may wonder whether life itself has meaning or is just a random, chaotic product of chance. And as a result, they may suffer from tremendous anxiety, depression, isolation, and feelings of being lost. The existential crisis is often spiritual in nature and is sometimes a byproduct (or trigger of) the spiritual emergency.

What you’re going through may be horribly painful, but you’re experiencing a death and rebirth. You’re undergoing a mental, emotional, and spiritual renewal process.

Here are some paths/practices you may like to explore. Many of these I have used myself during my existential crisis period – and they helped tremendously:

RECORD (JOURNAL) ALL YOUR THOUGHTS EVERY DAY

This one was a BIG help for me – and I believe it can be for you too. Writing down all your thoughts and feelings is a good way of getting them out of your mind. The more you let your thoughts accumulate, the more overwhelmed you can feel. So let it all out. Journaling is extremely therapeutic and is recommended by professionals and depressed folks alike constantly.

Here’s an example of a journal entry:

I’m feeling horrible today. I watch and listen to people talk about their lives, but it all seems futile. I can’t relate to any of them. Not even a bit. All their plans, goals, and shallow desires – can’t they see that it’s all going to perish one day? Their banality suffocates me and I feel like I’m walking in the land of the dead. Everyone is asleep. Why can’t they just wake the fuck up? Maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow, but for now, I just wanted to get these feelings out.

As you can see, your journal entry doesn’t need to be long. It can be a tiny paragraph or even a few words. It also doesn’t need to be wordy, well-written, or poetic. The point is to benefit from it by making a habit out of it.

Turn Your Pain Into Art

Some of the best art (think Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Goya, etc.) has come from those who have suffered tremendously. You don’t need to be good at art (or an “artist”) to benefit from artistic self-expression. The point isn’t to create something that will please others, but something that helps you feel better and process what you’re going through.

If you need ideas, go on Pinterest and look up different art projects. Places to start include watercolor, sketching, collage, and paint pouring. You can also read our art therapy ideas article and see if that interests you.

Get In Touch With Your Inner Warrior

When we go through an existential crisis it can feel like all our power, all our energy, has been drained from us. We may struggle to get up in the morning and keep moving forward. We may feel small and defenseless in the face of life.

The way to move through these feelings is to reconnect with your inner warrior, in whatever way he/she/it appears to you. We like to see this fiery essence as the wolf, but you may see it differently.

To connect with your inner warrior, you may like to turn to your dreams. Before going to bed, ask your unconscious mind to present to you an image of your inner warrior. Then, pay attention to your dreams. Note down anything significant when first rising in the morning. If you struggle with this activity, repeat it for a week.

You may even like to take a herb like mugwort, blue lotus, or a lucid dreaming supplement to make your dreams more vivid (please do your own research regarding dosage requirements and look into the precautions).

An alternative is to practice visualization. Imagine you’re walking down a staircase and at the bottom is a golden door. Once you open that door, you’ll come face-to-face with your inner warrior. What does he/she/it look like? You might like to play some music that puts you in the right frame of mind for this activity (think warrior music which you can find for free on Youtube).

Once you’ve connected with your inner warrior you can work with this inner image in your daily life for strength and guidance. You may like to journal with this inner force, talk with it through visualization, or create a piece of artwork that you put somewhere noticeable and special in your home.

Connect With Nature

If you struggle to connect with others, go out in nature. Connect with the birds, trees, and plants. Sit and watch what happens around you and find delight in the small things.

Spending time in nature was one of the major ways I got through my existential crisis. I would often spend hours sitting outside observing how the clouds moved through the sky and the way the wind danced through the trees.

If you don’t live near nature, try taking regular trips to your local wildlife reserve, forest, or park. Nature is soothing to the soul and will help you to get out of your head. If you’re interested, I wrote this article on the art of forest bathing (shinrin yoku) a few years ago.

pose. We’ve written more on the topic of finding the meaning of life and you’re more than welcome to go check that out.

Simplify And Minimize Sources Of Stress

You’re going through enough inner stress as it is, so don’t be afraid to let go of people/responsibilities that cause you more harm than good.

Find What Brings You Joy And Meaning

Even the smallest things can bring you joy like a patch of sunlight on the floor or the feeling of cold water against your hands as you wash the dishes.

By practicing mindfulness exercises, you can connect with the present moment more and step out of the cycles of dark thought that accompanying the existential crisis.

Finding the meaning of life is a longer path, but something that can also bring you a sense of pur-

PRACTICE SELF-CARE AND SELF-LOVE

Take care of yourself. This is a tough time. I know it’s hard, and I know that most days you don’t have the energy for much. But treat yourself with as much love as you can muster. Even opening the window for some fresh air can be seen as a small act of self-love or putting on some warmer socks.

Two forms of self-love and care that you may like to start with are affirmations and gratitude. I know you may feel skeptical toward them, but there’s a reason why they’ve entered the mainstream: they work.

You may like to start a gratitude journal and list five things you’re thankful for each day (being grateful has been scientifically proven to help you feel better). And you may like to find/create one or two affirmations that you carry with you and repeat throughout the day. Examples may include, “I am strong, and I’ll get through this,” “It’s okay to not know all the answers,” “I surrender to the cycles of life,” “I’m feeling better every day.”

One way of minimizing your stress is by creating a calm and clear mind. Try guided meditations that soothe your mind and body each morning and evening. I love the free app “InsightTimer” for all its variety and I use it on my phone each day. I encourage you to do the same.

Connect With Others

See if there are any depression support groups around you. Not everyone experiencing depression is going through an existential crisis, but some are. And you can find a sense of kinship there. Otherwise, there are many groups online (such as on social media) that you can join for support. Alternatively, you can simply browse around this website and see that you’re not alone in your existential difficulties.

You may also wish to call a mental health hotline if you desperately need to talk with someone or go to a website like 7cups that offers free support.

Explore Spirituality

As psychologist Christa Mackinnon writes: Studies find correlations between spiritual well-being and positive psychological responses when people are confronted with existential crisis situations. A recent study of 60 lung cancer patients in America, for instance, found that aspects of spirituality, namely meaning in life and prayer, have positive effects on psychological and physical responses, and an in-depth study of 160 terminally ill patients in palliative care came to the conclusion that spiritual well-being provides a sense of peace and offers some protection against end-of-life despair in those for whom death is imminent.

You don’t need to buy into anyone’s bullshit – find what type of spirituality works for you. That might be simply praying or lighting a candle, or it could mean learning how to be a spiritual healer and finding a higher sense of purpose.

I personally enjoy the path of inner work and I incorporate many eclectic practices into my spiritual path like working with the archetypes, spirit guides, practicing meditation and mindfulness, creating sigils, connecting with nature… the list goes on.

TIRED OF LYING IN THE SUNSHINE, STAYING HOME TO WATCH THE RAIN

YOU ARE YOUNG AND LIFE IS LONG, AND THERE IS TIME TO KILL TODAY

AND THEN ONE DAY YOU FIND TEN YEARS HAVE GOT BEHIND YOU NO ONE TOLD YOU WHEN TO RUN, YOU MISSED THE STARTING GUN

EVERY YEAR IS GETTING SHORTER, NEVER SEEM TO FIND THE TIME

Plans That Either Come To Naught Or Half A Page Of Scribbled Lines

HANGING ON IN QUIET DESPERATION IS THE ENGLISH WAY

THE TIME IS GONE, THE SONG IS OVER, THOUGHT I’D SOMETHING MORE TO SAY

I wrote that when I was 29 years old. The bits in the song where it goes, ‘No one told you when to run/ You missed the starting gun,’ it’s about my experience of being 29 years old and certainly going, ‘Fuck me. It’s the middle of life. I’ve been told that I was preparing for something.’

-Roger Waters on “Time”