Having an Existential Crisis? It’s Not Just You

If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling and questioning the entire point of, well, everything, welcome to the club. 

You’re experiencing what many would call an existential crisis, and trust us when we say you’re in good company. 

More people than ever are grappling with these deep, unsettling questions about meaning, purpose, and existence itself.

Let’s be real for a second. 

The world feels pretty overwhelming right now. Between climate concerns, political tensions, economic uncertainty, and the constant flood of information (and misinformation) coming at us from every direction, it’s no wonder so many of us are having moments where we step back and think, “What is all of this even for?” If you’re feeling this way, you’re not broken. 

You’re not the only one. 

And perhaps most importantly, you’re having a completely normal human response to some genuinely complex times.

What is having an existential crisis?

An existential crisis is essentially a period of intense questioning about the fundamental aspects of your life and existence. It’s when you find yourself wrestling with the big, uncomfortable questions: What’s my purpose? Does anything I do really matter? Who am I, really? Why am I here?

During an existential crisis, the things that once felt solid and certain can suddenly seem shaky or meaningless. 

Maybe the career path you’ve been following feels empty. Perhaps relationships that once brought joy now feel superficial. Or you might look at your daily routine and wonder why you’re going through the motions at all.

These crises can be triggered by major life events (like losing a job, experiencing a breakup, or hitting a milestone birthday), but they can also emerge from simply paying attention to the world around us. 

When you’re constantly bombarded with news about global challenges and societal shifts, it’s natural to zoom out and question your place in it all.

The thing about an existential crisis is that it’s not a mental health disorder. 

It’s more like your brain’s way of trying to reconcile your internal world with external reality. Think of it as your psyche asking for a software update. 

Uncomfortable? Absolutely. But also potentially transformative.

What is existential anxiety?

While an existential crisis is the broader questioning process, existential anxiety is the emotional companion that often comes along for the ride. This is the specific feeling of dread, unease, or panic that arises when you’re confronting those big existential questions.

Existential anxiety might show up as a tight feeling in your chest when you think about the future. It might be the spiraling thoughts that keep you up at night. 

It’s that sense of groundlessness, like you’re floating in space without anything to hold onto. 

Unlike everyday anxiety about specific things (Did I send that email? Will I be late?), existential anxiety is about the nature of existence itself.

You might experience existential anxiety when you become acutely aware of your own mortality. 

Or when you realize that despite all your efforts, there are things completely beyond your control. In our current global climate, where uncertainty seems to be the only constant, existential anxiety is showing up more frequently for more people.

Here’s what’s important to understand: existential anxiety isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. 

In fact, philosophers and psychologists have long recognized it as part of being human. 

The existentialist thinkers actually believed that confronting this anxiety, rather than avoiding it, is essential to living an authentic life.

That said, if your existential anxiety is interfering with your daily functioning or causing significant distress, it’s worth talking to a mental health professional. Sometimes what starts as existential questioning can intertwine with clinical anxiety or depression, and there’s no shame in getting support.

How to snap out of an existential crisis?

First, let’s adjust our language a bit. Rather than “snapping out of” an existential crisis (which implies it’s something to rush through or suppress), think of it more as moving through it and integrating what it’s teaching you. 

That said, I completely understand wanting some relief when you’re in the thick of it. Here are some genuinely helpful approaches:

Ground yourself in the present moment. 

When you’re spiraling into big existential questions, your mind is often somewhere in the abstract future or past. 

Bringing yourself back to right now (what you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste) can provide immediate relief. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: name five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste.

Connect with others authentically. 

An existential crisis can feel incredibly isolating, but sharing what you’re going through with trusted friends, family, or a therapist can help tremendously. 

You’ll often discover that others have had similar experiences, which normalizes the whole thing and reminds you that you’re part of a larger human story.

Take meaningful action, even if it’s small. 

One antidote to existential paralysis is doing something that aligns with your values, no matter how tiny. 

Volunteer for a cause you care about. Create something. Help a neighbor. These actions won’t solve all the big questions, but they can remind you that meaning is often found in the doing, not just the thinking.

Limit your information intake. 

If the constant stream of news and social media is contributing to your existential crisis, give yourself permission to step back. Being informed is valuable, but drowning in information overload serves no one. Set boundaries around when and how you consume news.

Embrace the questions rather than demanding immediate answers. 

This might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the pressure to “fix” an existential crisis makes it worse. 

What if, instead, you sat with the uncertainty for a while? Journal about your questions. Explore them through reading, art, or conversation. Many people find that the crisis begins to ease when they stop fighting it.

Reconnect with what brings you joy and wonder. 

Spend time in nature. Listen to music that moves you. Engage with art or literature. Play with a pet. Watch a sunset. These experiences might seem unrelated to your existential crisis, but they remind you that life contains beauty and meaning, even when we can’t fully explain or justify existence intellectually.

Consider talking to a therapist, especially one familiar with existential therapy. 

These professionals are specifically trained to help people navigate questions of meaning, freedom, isolation, and mortality. They won’t just give you coping techniques (though those help too). They’ll walk with you through the deeper exploration.

Remember, having an existential crisis doesn’t mean your life is falling apart. 

Often, it means you’re growing, evolving, and refusing to sleepwalk through life. Yes, the world is complicated and sometimes scary right now. Yes, there are more questions than answers. But you’re here, you’re thinking deeply, and you’re seeking understanding. That’s not a crisis. That’s being beautifully, messily, courageously human.

You’re not the only one. Not even close.