Self certainty can be a fragile thing. One moment we seem to be at peace with our direction in terms of where we are going and what will happen when we get there. Then the next moment, we not only question the purpose of the work we are doing, but also doubt the very nature of our existence and purpose. These “existential crisis” can happen out of nowhere, be deeply uncomfortable, and may last a few hours, weeks or even months! It can even leave us feeling hollow and uncertain about our basic undertakings.
When in ‘existential crisis’ mode, it’s important to recognise that it’s not the end of the world – even if it may feel like it! In fact, I believe that having an existential crisis can be a sign of good mental health. It is our mind checking in and making sure that we don’t get too far away from who we really are.
There is no simple way of “overcoming” an existential crisis (if ‘overcome’ is even the right word), but here are a few simple questions to ask yourself in times of crises.
What Triggered Me to Have These Feelings?
Many different stimuli can trigger an existential crisis, such instances include:
- An unexpected setback at work
- Feeling bored where you are living (this often happens in Winter)
- Seeing someone do amazing things on social media
It is important to determine what it was that influenced you to feel underwhelmed about your current state, as this will help you determine if it is really something to worry about. Deciding you don’t like your work may indeed lead to a time of deep reflection, seeing someone else travelling or meeting a celebrity on Instagram is often FOMO white noise.
What Is Wrong With Reflection?
Simply put, people can be very scared of personal reflection. This most definitely includes myself. I am not a trained mental health professional, but I believe that for many people, a fear of reflection comes from a fear of confronting an uncomfortable truth about ourselves. It could be that we have doubts about our career direction, a friendship that might have run its course, or coming to realise that we lack control of our finances. Whatever the issue is, it is crucial to always remember that your situation does not define who you are. You must bring attention to your problem, as it will not magically go away, no matter how much we ignore it. Embrace the chance to reflect on your situation and be kind to yourself.
How Can I Change My Situation?
After you’ve taken some time and have reflected on your situation, you may come to the conclusion that there is a need for some real change in your life. This can be an overwhelming thing to realise unto itself, but you should take this in as a time of celebration. The next thing you should ask yourself is “What can I do to change things?”.
The most important thing to remember is that everyone runs their own race and has different situations and levels of comfort with change. You may decide to upend your life and move to the other side of the world, and that is amazing! You may also decide that you only want to make small changes to start with, and that is equally amazing!
Progress takes many forms, so long as you are moving towards the person you know you want to be, it doesn’t matter how long it takes or what other people are doing.
You do you, you be you.
