Translated from the Latin "existence" means "existence". From this it is obvious that the existential crisis concerns our sense of self, our life. It is expressed by a feeling of anxiety and fear associated with the loss of the meaning of existence, the lack of guidelines and goals.
A person fears that his life – meaningless, nothing to strive for, he has not done anything significant, does not know what to do next.
Such a crisis can overtake each of us. Therefore, it is important to know how to deal with the problem.
estet-portal.com will tell you how to recognize an existential crisis and what to do if you feel a loss of life orientation.
1. What is an existential crisis and how not to confuse
2. Existential crisis: how to overcome the problem
What is an existential crisis and how not to confuse it
To understand how to overcome a problem, you need to understand what it is. Existential Crisis – it is anxiety, fear and discomfort associated with thoughts about the meaning of life, goals and prospects.
Every person wants to believe that their existence has a meaning. And if it is suddenly discovered that it does not exist, goals or aspirations are absent, and ideals are lost, then an internal conflict arises.
Signs of an existential crisis:
• apathy, unwillingness to communicate with others;
• lack of sleep;
• dissatisfaction with life;
• feeling of loneliness, isolation;
• lack of goals, fear of the future.
The inability to overcome an existential crisis is fraught with so-called existential despondency – loss of interest in life.
An existential crisis can overtake a person at any moment. "Last straw" a stressful event can become, for example, the death of a loved one or breakup of a relationship, prolonged loneliness, separation from children, a catastrophe experienced , etc.
Existential crisis: how to overcome the problem
First of all, it is important to realize that existential crisis – this is normal for a modern person.
We are not concerned with survival issues like our ancestors, so we tend to look for the meaning of our lives. We can say that this crisis is inherent in all – even the most successful people.
So you need to know how to deal with it – and make it an impetus for change, new beginnings.
We propose the following scheme for overcoming the existential crisis, based on the teachings of the Norwegian philosopher P.V. Pin:
1. First step – analyze the cause of the problem. Crisis does not occur randomly and by itself. It has a kind of trigger, which can be: the death of a loved one, a catastrophe, growing up and leaving children from home, loss of a favorite job, etc.
2. Second step – isolation. By it we mean getting rid of negativity and gloomy thoughts. Try to not think about the bad, don't concentrate on it. If getting rid of it yourself doesn’t work, you feel the need to speak out, it’s better to contact a psychologist.
3. Third step – fixation. Find a new value system for yourself, define guidelines or ideals. It can be faith, volunteering, fighting for the conservation of nature, upholding the rights of women/children, etc.
4. Fourth step – distraction. In order not to indulge in despondency, you need to occupy yourself with useful things. Find new hobbies and passions, set realistic goals – and focus your energy on those things. Also, at the moment of crisis, do not isolate yourself from relatives and friends – communicate more, walk around the city, visit interesting exhibitions and other events.
5. Fifth step – sublimation. Engage in personal self-expression – this is often not enough for a modern person who is busy with work or family. Start drawing or writing stories, making jewelry or sewing clothes – everything you used to want but were afraid to start.
Don't blame yourself for what's happening. Yes, the source of the crisis is the person himself, but such is the nature of our psyche. Wine – not yours.
To out of the crisis be successful, enlist the support of loved ones or friends. If for some reason you are alone, contact a psychologist. He will help you sort out the problem.
Existential Crisis – it is a feeling of anxiety, loneliness and helplessness associated with the loss of the meaning of life.
Such a crisis can overtake a person at any moment of life – in adolescence, thirty years or after forty. Each of us has the prerequisites for it, but the "last straw" stressful events always become (for example, the death of a loved one).
Nobody is immune from existential crisis, so it's important to know how to deal with it. First of all, isolate yourself from negative thoughts, talk about your problem and feelings by contacting a psychologist.
Then you need to reconsider your views on life, find for yourself a value system that evokes a spiritual response.
Take self-realization – find a hobby, an interesting job, become a volunteer. And try not to isolate yourself from people – at such a moment it is especially important for you to feel like a part of society, to communicate, to be distracted from sad thoughts.
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