Existential Crisis: What, Why, and How (To Get Through It)
Navigating Through an Existential Crisis: Finding Deeper Meaning in Life
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
“Midway along the journey of our life
I woke to find myself in a dark wood,
for I had wandered off from the straight path.
How hard it is to tell what it was like,
this wood of wilderness, savage and stubborn
(the thought of it brings back all my old fears),
a bitter place! Death could scarce be bitterer.
But if I would show the good that came of it
I must talk about things other than the good.”-Opening lines of Dante’s Divine Comedy
At some point in our lives, many of us awake to find that we have entered the “dark wood” described by Dante Alighieri in his famous poem (also known as The Inferno.) In clinical terms, this period that challenges the very foundation of our existence is called an existential crisis.
Such a profound state of questioning and uncertainty can arise from various life events — be it a personal loss, a career change, or even a chance moment of reflection on our mortality and life's impermanence. While it can be unsettling to grapple with questions like "Who am I?" "What is my purpose?" or "What truly matters in life?", these existential inquiries also offer us a unique opportunity to delve deeper into understanding ourselves. By redefining our beliefs, values, and practices to come to a more meaningful existence we may - as Dante did - “show the good that came of it.”
Understanding an Existential Crisis
An existential crisis refers to a period in an individual's life where they are confronted with questions about their fundamental existence. It's a juncture that prompts intense self-reflection and questions about one's identity, purpose, and the value of life. Unlike most crises that are triggered by external events, an existential crisis is primarily an internal journey — a quest for meaning in the face of life's inherent struggles and the inevitability of death.
The Catalysts of an Existential Crisis
Existential crises can be triggered by various events or life transitions. Significant changes, such as the loss of a loved one, reaching a significant age milestone, experiencing a health scare, or even sudden moments of insight, can propel us into the despairs of existential questioning. Sometimes, it might not be a single event but a gradual realization of life’s transient nature that leads us to question our deeper purpose and values.
The Symptoms of an Existential Crisis
An existential crisis is characterized by a deep sense of unease and discontentment with life as it exists. Symptoms can include persistent questioning of one’s purpose, feelings of detachment or isolation, a sense that previous values no longer hold significance, and a relentless search for something that provides a deeper sense of meaning. In more severe cases, it can lead to anxiety, depression, or existential dread — a profound fear of life’s inherent meaninglessness.
Embracing the Journey Towards Deeper Meaning
An existential crisis, while challenging, isn’t without its silver lining. It propels us toward self-discovery and personal growth, urging us to seek out and embrace beliefs, values, and practices that resonate with our true selves. This journey, though fraught with uncertainty, is a pathway to discovering a Deeper Meaning in life that aligns with our authentic selves.
Building Healthy Beliefs
Our beliefs form the bedrock of our existence, influencing how we perceive the world and ourselves. An existential crisis challenges these foundational beliefs, prompting us to re-evaluate our old beliefs and construct a new system that can bring us out of crisis. Adopting healthy beliefs that affirm life’s worth and our place within it can be a powerful antidote to existential despair. For example, research shows that feeling connected to a Higher Power (however one defines it) leads to greater emotional wellbeing, better health, and longer life.
“In my twenty-seventh year, while riding the metro in Leningrad I was overcome with a despair so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: Without God life makes no sense. Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God’s light. ”
Cultivating Values That Matter
Values are our compass, guiding our behaviors, decisions, and how we interact with the world. An existential crisis often calls these values into question, urging us to consider what we truly value and why. By mindfully cultivating values that emphasize compassion, connection, growth, and contribution, we can forge a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Adopting Practices That Connect Us to Deeper Meaning
The daily practices we engage in can either enhance our sense of meaning or detract from it. Mindfulness, gratitude, altruism, and connection with nature are practices that can ground us, offering a sense of stability and purpose amid existential questioning. They remind us of life's beauty, interconnectedness, and the myriad ways we can find and create meaning.
A nation-wide survey from 2011 found that more than 5.5 million Americans had 'greatly helped’ their symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression through practicing meditation. Navigating the Crisis with Support and Understanding
Facing an existential crisis is no small feat and embarking on this journey alone can be daunting. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can provide the compassion, understanding, and guidance needed to navigate this period. Moreover, exploring philosophical and spiritual texts, engaging in meaningful conversations, and participating in supportive communities can offer fresh perspectives and insights.
Reminder: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please dial 988 to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Deeper Existence
An existential crisis invites us to pause, reflect, and engage with life’s most profound questions. While it may seem like an abyss at the outset, it also holds the promise of leading us to a richer, more authentic existence. By building healthy beliefs, values, and practices we can not only combat our own tendency to despair, but inspire others as they ponder the existential questions.
