(What it is, and 3 Ways to Snap Out of It Before It Wrecks Your Life)
If we’re gonna appreciate this topic, let’s start with the Father of Existential Angst~
“The crucial thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I am willing to live and to die.” — Soren Kierkegaard
1813-1855 Philosopher, Poet, Social Critic, Dramatic AF (so relatable AF)
More Existential Titans Here https://supervalentthought.com/most-famous-existentialists/
Even if you haven’t researched what existentialism is, you’ve definitely experienced it.
What’s the point? Why are we here? Like Daddy Kierkegaard is saying, these answers are completely up to YOU. And that’s a lot to handle.
What Is Existential Angst?
Existential angst often blooms from the idea that humans are the only species that are extremely self aware (that we know of), and this understanding leads many people to the staggering edge of all the possible paths they could take.
Instead of feeling motivated which sounds way more fun, most of us find ourselves frozen with indecisiveness. This fear of making the wrong decision keeps us stuck. Unmoving as life rushes past us. Like those rocks Angus Tuck talked about in Tuck Everlasting (iconic movie, bet it’s an even better book)
How Existential Angst Can Wreck Your Life
- Choice overload: Too many paths can lead to making no move at all.
- Pressure of “doing it right”: Society, social media, and even our inner critics scream at us about what we should be doing.
- Fear of regret: Worrying that one wrong move will ruin everything keeps us stuck on the sidelines.
- Isolation: Angst can trick you into thinking you’re the only one feeling this way. (Spoiler Alert: you’re not.)
I’ve heard people say that we come face to face with existential angst whenever we lift our heads out of the social conditioning pool, take a real look around, and recognize that we do in fact have free will.
I could buy a one way ticket (back) to Thailand tomorrow. Or buy an entire Carvel ice cream cake and just eat it myself. These ideas absolutely thrill me.
But mix that with
- Knowing just how close we are to “making mistakes”
- Mixed with strict social expectations, ideas of what we should do, vs ideas of what we want to do
- People on social media claiming they each have the answer to our problems
- Television blasting over our intuition
- Political BS actively deconstructing the nation…
No wonder we get overwhelmed and don’t know which direction to go in.
Sometimes Existential Angst can lead us to ponder that life has no overall meaning
For me, it hits a different way- I feel that life has more meaning than I could ever feel the full depth of. When I go into one of my spirals, I often feel trapped between ideas, between moves, because there are SO many directions I want to move in.
Think of this illustrated excerpt from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar- https://sarahsspirals.com/choice-overload/
Our girl sees so many possibilities, she just can’t bring herself to choose one, and ends up losing all of them. I am turning into this girl, and I can’t let that happen to me.
which brings us to
me documenting my spirals, gleaning the lessons I can and striving to apply the knowledge in valuable ways. Not gonna lie- I know I’m my own worst enemy, but while I work to realign my spirit, perhaps there are a few gems in here that will shine some light on your own journey.
How to Snap Out of Existential Angst (My Go-To Techniques)
1. Touch Grass (Literally)
- N-A-T-U-R-E, baby. Barefoot in the grass? Yes. (Check for ticks, obviously.)
- Place your hand on trees. Talk to the plants. Stare at clouds.
- Play your favorite music or — better yet — listen to the World breathe around you.
- If you’re out and about, don’t walk around with both earbuds in. Stay aware of your surroundings. Love you, stay safe.
2. Call In the Real Ones
- Talking to your real friends is a whole damn superpower.
- Real Talk: There was a period of my late 20s when I was in a relationship I knew was wonderful in some ways, but overall not meant to be forever. THE WAYS I SPIRALED figuring out what to do — too caught up with myself, too embarrassed to realize my closest friends were struggling with the same thing the whole time.
- Once I finally opened up about it, we were able to share stories, strategies, encouragement, book recs, and ultimately made each other laugh about this temporary chapter<3 Having real friends, and being my real self with them brings me right back to the meaningful, purposeful life I intend to live.
- Moral of the story: Your people are going through it too. Be real. Share the mess. It makes life 1000x lighter.
3. Anchor Yourself to Meaning (it doesn’t have to be the same meaning for the rest of your life)
- Even when life feels chaotic, you can anchor yourself back to what matters.
- For me, existential angst doesn’t come from feeling life is meaningless — it’s the overwhelming depth of meaning that freezes me.
- I need to remind myself to stop chasing the “perfect” move and just take any aligned step forward. And don’t quit after one week.
Conclusion: Your Move, Babe
Existential angst isn’t some monster to defeat — it’s just proof that you’re awake and alive.
But staying stuck? That’s not your fate.
By reconnecting with nature, leaning on your real friends, and choosing a direction to move forward in, you’ll not only survive those spirals — you’ll come out the other side stronger, funnier, and more you than ever.
You don’t have to figure everything out today.
Just take one tiny step. Plant one seed. Start one honest conversation.
You are doing way better than you think. ✨
Now tell me: what are your go-to techniques when the existential spirals hit? Drop them below — let’s build a survival guide together 💬❤️
