What Is Existential Crisis? | How Can I Move Forwards?

We all may experience feelings of lack of purpose in our lives from time time, such as in relation to our career choices. However, when these feelings become persistent, they can often develop into an existential crisis, where you might struggle to set goals in life and feel lost.

What Is Existential Crisis?

During an existential crisis, our views of our lives and the world are unclear. We are constantly thinking what the meaning of life is, and what our ultimate purpose is.

When these types of thoughts become persistent, you might start to be especially concerned with issues of mortality and loss. Often these worries are a consequence of a difficult life situation, or a mental health disorder, such as depression and anxiety.

For example, the loss of a loved one, or the use of certain substances can cause you to feel a lack of fulfilment in life. You might feel lonely, hopeless and desperate as a result of an existential crisis.

Here are some examples of signs that you may be in an existential crisis:

• ‘Why am I here? What is the purpose?’
• ‘What’s the point if eventually we’re all going to die?’
• ‘Do I really want to be here? Is that how I expected things will turn out? I didn’t think my life would turn out the way it did…’
• ‘How can I get rid of this feeling and move on with my life?’

Self-Help Tips To Help you Move Forwards

• Acknowledge that no one really has those answers and you don’t have to figure it out right away. Life would not be as exciting if we knew how everything was going to work out. It is okay to take time to find your footing and start your journey.
• Say it out loud. Talk about your thoughts with someone and hear yourself speak. The more you talk to people, the more you may find that everyone feels lost at some point or another. Remind yourself that you are never alone.
• Create a project, a goal. Start with daily short term achievable goals that would ultimately lead to a long term goal. Track your progress as you go so you can remind yourself that you are headed somewhere.
• Start a new hobby that you always wanted to do. Audition for that musical, sign up for that sports team, train for that long distance run; whatever helps you remember you are more than what you are feeling. Life is short, make the most of it!

Our experienced team of psychotherapists and counsellors can help you break free from existential crisis, and find meaning and purpose in life.

Our aim is to help you gain a better understanding of who you are, and what your strengths are, in order to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Psychotherapy will help you make sense of what has happened to you, and help you integrate new healthier ways of managing your life.