Facing Existential Angst
We enter into existential terrain when we start asking profound questions about the nature of existence, our purpose on the planet, and the meaning of life in general. Given how challenging many societal and world issues are today, it’s not easy to find answers to these very large questions.
How can we find our footing when there is less and less solid ground? How can we feel connected when so much keeps us separated? How do we keep ourselves from feeling disillusioned with societal norms and expectations when these norms are not leading to contentment, or even a basic sense of security?
Enter the Quarter, Mid, and End-of-Life Crisis
Existential crisis happens when all the above boils over and your find yourself suddenly “lost in a dark wood” unable to find your path out. These turning points, which can happen at different stages throughout life, are a natural and often transformative part of the human experience.
In youth, the search for identity and purpose can lead to existential questioning about one's place in the world. During midlife, the realization of mortality and the fleeting nature of time can trigger existential angst and a reassessment of life's priorities. In later stages, reflections on legacy and the search for meaning in the face of aging and death can become central concerns.
Anxiety, despair, and emptiness arise as you confront the vastness of existence, and the limits of your own understanding. Beliefs about the nature of reality, the existence of higher powers, and the ultimate purpose of life may come into question, evoking profound uncertainty and doubt. Thoughts about mortality, the inevitability of death, and the significance of your actions can evoke a deep sense of existential dread and existential guilt. A shifting and suddenly unsolid sense of identity arises as you grapple with questions of who you are, what defines you, and what gives your life meaning and significance.
And that’s where our work together begins.
Existential Psychotherapy
There is no simple approach or answer to questions of an existential nature. There’s no special formula I can give you that helps you instantaneously find the meaning of your life. However, I can work with you to uncover, clarify and articulate levels of meaning in your being that you may have not allowed yourself to explore or entertain.
Ultimately existential issues thrust us into a deeper search for our authentic self. Each time we encounter these difficulties, we can go deeper into the nature of our own existence and bring forward what is true to each of us. This process leads to being better equipped to navigate the complexities of your human experience, find meaning and purpose in your life, and cultivate resilience in the face of life's uncertainties.