Existential crisis are intense periods of questioning. They feel like a loss of meaning. They are definitly challenging. Remember, you are not alone. You will find a way to work through your feelings, as many have before you.

In this post, I will walk you through two tips that helped me navigate an existential crisis.

Try Different Therapeutic Approaches

There is no single best approach to face an existential crisis. Some are centered around reaching a new stage of being. Some emphasize external changes such as meeting new people and changing job. One could look for an approach that matches what is perceived as the root of the problem. Maybe the crisis is related to spirituality, gender or sexual identity, career, or daily obligations… One might even feel that there is no core problem to the crisis.

Here is a list of approaches I have heard of:

• ANCHORING – Committing to specific values and devotional actions.
• COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY – Challenging negative patterns of thoughts.
• EXISTENTIALISM – Accepting that meaning is created through acts of will.
• LEAP OF FAITH – Engaging in something without understanding it fullly.
• NIHILISM – Accepting that life is meaningless; or that aspects of it are.
• REASONED APPROACH – Evaluating preferences and experiences.
• SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE TAKING – Thinking about what people think and feel.
• SUBLIMATION – Transforming pai into art.

To be an honest Unitaur, I must disclose that this list is inspired by Wikipedia. I know almost nothing, especially about approaches to solve an existential crisis. When I needed help and asked for it, I found hidden gems that were hiding.

Do Things that Work for You

I know. It can be hard to find direction when nothing works. Keep on going. To me, an existential crisis can feel like climbing a mountain. I always find stunnning views along the way even if my hoofs hurt like hell.

Here are things I have tried:

• Got new glasses as a birthday gift.
• Opened my heart to friends and connected with humans.
• Tried listening instead of hearing.
• Took meditation classes.
• Aimed for a better job.
• Tried a new sport ; I danced it out, really.
• Read books.
• Yielded control.

I am sorry if you finished this article feeling as hopeless as you had started it. I hope it is not the case. Remember, my sole purpose is to answer your existential questions.

Let me conclude by sharing a logical thought. Asking for help can be frightening. Keep on trying. Asking for help may imply finding dead-ends but also treasures along the way. Trying will come with failures; but failures with learning; and with learning comes insight. Insight will act as a light, dissipating the darkness of the existential crisis.