An existential crisis can occur when the answers to questions about the meaning and purpose of life (and also the purpose of our existence in that life) no longer provide satisfaction, direction, or peace of mind. Contemplating life, without knowing what dreams of accomplishment you are looking for, can throw your mind into chaos: purpose and determination will calm you down.
Step
Step 1. Recognize that you are experiencing an existential crisis
If you're questioning the meaning or purpose of your existence, or if the foundations of your life don't feel solid, you may be experiencing a crisis (often called "existential" because this crisis refers to the thoughts rooted in the philosophical principles of existentialism), which could be caused by:
- Feeling lonely and isolated in this world
- A new understanding or appreciation of someone's mortality
- The belief that one's life has no external purpose or meaning
- Awareness of one's freedom and the consequences of accepting or rejecting that freedom
- A very pleasant or painful experience that makes a person search for meaning in life.
Step 2. Choose the meaning of your life
Existentialism believes that each individual is encouraged to choose the parameters of his existence. Choosing to add meaning to your own life, without the help of others, can help you overcome an existential crisis. Below are some methods that can help you.
Method 1 of 2: Applying “The Last Messiah” Method
Norwegian philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe stated that human self-consciousness is actively involved in the “destructive repression of excess over human consciousness”, and there are four ways to do this, namely:
Step 1. Isolation: Remove all negative thoughts or feelings from your consciousness and actively deny them.
Step 2. Anchoring: Combat feelings of isolation by "anchoring" your awareness of fixed values or ideals, such as "God, places of worship, circumstances, morality, destiny, laws of life, people, future". Focusing your attention on them (whether for or against them) can help you feel like your consciousness isn't floating, or as Zapffe puts it, build "a wall around the chaos of your conscious mind."
Step 3. Distraction: Keep thoughts from turning into distractions by filling your life with distractions. Focus all your energies on a hobby, project, job, or other activity that will occupy your mind.
Step 4. Sublimation: Refocus your energies on positive activities, such as music, art, literature, or other activities that allow you to express yourself.
Method 2 of 2: Applying Other Methods
Step 1. Understand the cause of the problem
The problem is not in your thoughts, but in what connects you to those thoughts. Your thoughts (and the language you use to express them) come from your surroundings, society, and your reactions to events.
Step 2. Try to see your life and existence for what it is
Question everything and try to see beyond the social, political, spiritual, and personal upbringing and fallacies.
Step 3. Be aware that this is a common problem
Know that we humans often feel that we are caught up in a game and controlled by others who are not on your side or humanity as a whole. When you go through this crisis, you will see that other people experience success through indifference, fear, and the ability to “guide” you. Do some research on the history of humanity and how this race for success began, and how it is perpetuated. Then, start making your own understanding of where this crisis is going.
Step 4. Consider how harmonious life is
Some kind of consistency certainly exists, at least at the micro level.
Step 5. Stop comparing yourself to others
Your ability to experience happiness will grow when you stop comparing yourself to others and only reflect on yourself. In the ironic surprise of fate, this step can be done gradually by clinging to a more stoic subjectivity.
Step 6. Feel free to make your own rules
Remember to let what “should” happen-you are in control. (This message is also a “must” thing to do; so don't overdo it.) You are a reflection of the values you hold, and don't forget that these values will radiate in your body, even if they come from feelings. If you're feeling anxious about not knowing what to do because no one is telling you what to do, that's the most fun part of traveling. Remember when you were little? Mystery? Adventure? Smell a new scent and taste a new material? New food? Do something to add to your pleasant experience.
Step 7. Make an effort to state your problem
Some people write down complete sentences to help determine what their problem is. Other people started writing poetry to express their thoughts and feelings. Next, you can extend your writing into prose.
Step 8. Imagine some people you like and respect are advising you
Don't pick someone who is rude. Try Mr. Budi, your elementary school teacher, or someone you had a crush on in middle school. They don't really matter, do they? However, it's really nice to have a chat with them.
Step 9. Imagine you are giving advice to someone else who is in your situation
Do you still feel that this is a big problem?
Step 10. Solve the problem
If you can't figure out your problem, it means the problem you are facing is serious. If your solution involves major changes, take a few days to think about them.
If you can't do anything to solve your problem right now, accept it gracefully. If it is night now, go to bed; if you can't sleep, do something unrelated to the television or computer screen (blue light will cause insomnia). You will feel sleepy later. If it's still noon, do some exercise or finish your work. Be professional. A little success won't hurt anyone
Step 11. Accept what you learn
If you're still dissatisfied after exhausting research, you're still learning a lot about the philosophy of the situation. Now you know that the desire to seek truth is absurd (to use existential terminology). Since we don't really know whether there is meaning to existence or not, we cannot rely on risky judgments.
If you group life and death in two columns, and meaningless/meaningful existence in two rows, you will find that trying to enjoy your whole life is the best option (no matter how scary your existence will be)
Step 12. Aim to create peace and happiness
Under no circumstances should you hurt yourself or others; although sometimes the problem is painful, it will pass. Find meaning in every little happiness in life through your five senses. Stop for a moment to smell the roses, feel the sunshine, taste the food, see the beauty, and listen to your inner voice. You can create your own meaning for yourself and your own life. In the end, this is your life, games and experiments. Live your life in the world with respect for others, and deal with problems as best you can. To be successful, accept the help of others with respect.
Step 13. Clean every room you are in
This step will help you clear up your power in the world and give you a few minutes to do a basic troubleshooting session. Don't just tidy it up, clean it. Use cleaning products.
Step 14. Remember that tomorrow is a new day
There will be another opportunity for you to make changes to your life in order to find happiness and self-fulfillment. This power is yours – claim it now.
Step 15. Question yourself
If you don't care about the philosophical problem of despair because of existential crises, you won't have that existential crisis because you definitely can't possibly feel like all things bore you. If you are reading this page, you must be sad. Therefore, you must be concerned with the philosophical question of this crisis: why? To be consistent, you must observe your motivation as closely as you would anything else. The question that helps in this process is “If I knew Courage and the meaning of life, what would I do, think, and feel?” You may find new meaning in your life or simply realize that your former goals were just there. In any case, if your new or old desires are unhealthy, seek professional help.
Tips
- Take care of your body. Drinking more water can fight headaches and mood swings and improve brain function. Taking a walk can give you a new perspective and release endorphins.
- Don't be afraid of failure. If you feel like a failure, look at it from a point of view that says it's just an experience that will give you wisdom and opportunities to change and grow.
- If you're married or living with your lover, here's a basic rule: don't wake your partner tonight if you did yesterday. He loves you, but he already gives you the advice you need.
- No matter how tempting this may be, don't pass your insecurities on others. If you feel like a failure, you have to handle it yourself. Dragging others into your grief won't change how you think about yourself, no matter how hard you try.
- Sometimes, you will feel like you are drifting in life, rather than actually living in it. Sit down and focus. What do you really want to achieve in your life? Do that.
- Accept things (and people) that you can't change or control.
- Find success in the little things; it will lead you to bigger things.
- Don't refuse to face a problem because you feel that life should be more meaningful when you are suffering.
- Be useful to others.
- Don't think too much after midnight. It will not bring good, except for people who are used to sleeping at night. For someone who never feels good during the day and is more active at night, reverse this step and don't think about too much in the morning until you've been up long enough not to feel hurt or angry.
- Feel free to laugh and make jokes of yourself. This is a good way to find out who you really are. This exercise will give you a true feeling of personal freedom. It's also a good way to clarify what really matters. If you find it difficult to laugh at something, it means that your problems are much bigger than you thought.
- Writers who have faced existential crises include Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus. Depending on who you are, reading these people's writings will make you feel better or even worse.
- Breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth; Short breaths through the mouth are a sign of panic.
- Act with compassion.
- Don't be afraid of anything!
- Choose to live, forgive, learn, love, and prosper.
- Meditate.
- Eat healthy foods and drink filtered water.
- Practice humility, tolerance, and respect for others without expecting to be respected by them.
Warning
- Feel free to call the hotline. Hotlines exist for the benefit of people having similar difficulties. Life is hard. Help others and ask for help when you need it.
- Don't end up taking alcohol or drugs to deal with this crisis. While both may seem temporary relief, these compulsive behaviors will only add to your suffering in the long run and make it difficult for you to grow and improve your quality of life.
- Whatever you do, don't kill, injure, or cripple yourself. Don't make permanent changes because of temporary problems: destroying your only novel or getting a tattoo on your face is unacceptable. If you want to fight with your parents, dye your hair blue.
- Appreciate the existence of others. If someone or something is holding you back from achieving your goals, it's a good idea to determine the course of action that will be beneficial. In other words, killing, and injuring yourself or injuring another person is unacceptable and will drag you down to your knees. Live and let go. After all, if you find life hard, you've never been in prison. If you really feel that life is more meaningful through suffering, ignore these tips and continue your thinking. Of course, you will find important meaning within yourself.
