Are You Going Through an Existential Crisis?

Was there a time in your life when you ask yourself, what is my purpose in this world? Is there something special in me that could make a difference in a person at least? Or are you going through these questions every day and struggle where to find an answer?

If you have felt that once or even still going through that trouble, then you are going through an existential crisis. It refers to a feeling of uneasiness about your freedom, choices, and meaning in life. Basically, it also talks about the process of reflecting on your life and how you've gone through it so far.

How do you identify if you have an existential crisis?

According to my research, refer to this link, you show these symptoms if you have one:

Anxiety, loneliness, depression, isolation from loved ones and friends, lack of motivation, and feeling overwhelmed.

Triggers to an existential crisis are:

Career change, death of a loved one, diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, aging, traumatic experiences, marriage or separation, and having children.

As humans, it is inevitable to face these struggles in no time. Any situation can trigger anxiety that leads us to overthink. When we do, we go through questioning our existence and think if we are worth it.

We get anxious especially when we make choices in our lives. If only there is a guide for choosing which path to take and having a comfortable life, we would gladly do that. However, there is no "exact or definite" path to take to.

Meanwhile, if ever that happens (which I don't believe it will ever), it leaves us room for growth. We make choices in our daily lives and living through those choices and standing up for them measure our character on how we deal with consequences. These choices we make are the instruments to test our character and grit.

This is about owning our mistakes and taking responsibility for the choices we make in a situation.

What is the point of living when we know that we are all gonna die?

When I was younger, I have never asked this myself yet. I was busy playing trying to discover or gather the capabilities and skills I could have. However, when I became an adult, thinking about existence in this world is vital because of witnessing how other people live their lives as well.

Then I realized that our existence in this world is a privilege. It becomes a privilege when you develop a grateful heart. It becomes a privilege when you maximize and develop all your talents and share them with the community. If you are living your life with integrity, then there's no need to question your existence.

When you learn to deal with anxiety every day, it shows so much power in you facing those struggles. It goes beyond dealing with them and finding the right balance of question and reality.

Personally, I am going through an existential crisis in particular to a career change or shift and coming from a traumatic experience.

Career change, this is such a huge leap to take as my lifestyle would change the way things will happen. It is not a conventional life choice to take and facing this gives me anxiety if I'm doing the right choice.

So, the best approach for this is to have a strategic plan and be realistic with the skills and talents we have. These life choices, we'll never know until we get there. At least, we are trying and not just letting ourselves be crucified for the negative thoughts.

The purpose of life is to not live long but to live well.

So, are you living your life well?

Lead image source

Thanks for reading.

Keep safe everyone!