Existential Angst

Existential angst

Life can often feel overwhelming, and sometimes we find ourselves grappling with questions that have no clear answers.

Existential angst is a common response to the deeper, often unsettling questions about our existence, purpose, and the meaning of life. It's that feeling of uncertainty, dread, or confusion when thinking about our place in the world, the inevitability of death, or the responsibility we have to create meaning in our own lives.

If you find yourself struggling with what seems like profound existential concerns, don’t worry, some of us do, for starters, it is OK to have these deep thoughts.

What is Existential Angst?

Existential angst refers to that horrid inner turmoil which can arise when we confront life's uncertainties or can hijack us in places like the shower (you’d be surprised how often I hear that) where we have nothing to distract our mind with or if we are out with friends and there is a lull in conversation or you feel (healthily) left out your mind can sometimes wander to this place via a little, what’s the point? Stepping stone, shortly followed by a why am I here? Stepping stone, to either be called back in by the conversation or rescued by another thought but sometimes it can jump all the way to anxiety - how am I performing, am I wanted here? Type questions or to the altogether different direction of why am I here? Why are we all here?

Existential angst can go from being uncomfortable and quickly sped by to unbearable, it is a normal part of the human experience and can often happen during major life transitions, especially when we are early teens, deep into our midlife where it kicks in with a, “Is this it?” or after significant loss from people to pets to careers, loss can have a huge impact when we manage existential anxiety.

However, some people may find themselves struggling with these existential concerns more persistently, I know I do, but I do enjoy considering concepts and thought exercises, even when some can feel terrifying.

What sort of thing can existential angst cover that makes it different to the usual anxiety?

  • The meaning and purpose of life

  • The inevitability of death

  • Personal freedom and the weight of choices

  • The search for authenticity

  • The experience of isolation or disconnection

What happens if you find yourself cycling back to the same point, time and time again? And the struggles are persistent, they just won’t go away.

How Can Therapy Help?

We can unpick and navigate these deep questions with self compassion and collective insight as more often than not they can tend to congeal into a giant mass of WTF?! Too intimidating to face alone, and sometimes with existential angst it can be so much easier to talk out, to hold a different person’s perspective to challenge our unconcious biases - thruths we have told ourselves from the start that are so ingrained that we forget that they may be untrue.

Objectives can be:

  • Gaining clarity around our values, purpose, and goals

  • Learning to accept uncertainty and ambiguity in life - a hard one as all that can change is our perspective

  • Finding ways to live authentically and with intention

  • Managing feelings of isolation and disconnection

The Therapeutic Process

Existential therapy focuses on find meaning and purpose in your life, that suits how you want to live acording to your own internal compass - yes, we all have one of those, so even when the answers seem unclear we can pull them into focus either through conversation or hypnosis.

We can explore core philosophical questions that you feel you are facing by looking at cognitive biases and reflecting on personal experiences and how they shape our beliefs. to finding the identifying patterns in how we respond to life's challenges and together build emotional resilience to deal with those awkward and difficult feelings behind the anxiety, fear, or sadness

Why Choose Therapy with Me?

I understand that existential concerns are deeply personal and can feel overwhelming. I offer a warm, intellegent and empathetic approach to therapy, and my goal is to help you navigate these questions in a way that is authentic and meaningful for you. Whether you are experiencing existential dread or are simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, I am here to guide you through the process of self-discovery. You’re not in this alone.

Taking the First Step

If you’re ready to explore your feelings of existential angst and begin finding meaning to create peace in your life, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore these questions in a supportive, reflective environment. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions; text, call or watsapp : Tracey 07976629098