-Do you know what existential crisis is?

-Yeah, I even talked with my friend about it yesterday.

-Have you ever experienced it though?

-Yeah, I guess so, everyone has had some kind of existential crisis, I mean sometimes I can feel like I act differently around other people and then I really wonder what am I really like, like what is the real me? And then also the feeling of being aware of your body and your thoughts and how everyone has different thoughts. Such a weird feeling, and sometimes you can also feel that your mind is somehow out of your body, and you just feel like you are not there and then that feeling of existing becomes something you can’t stop thinking about.

-Do you think that existential crisis bothering you?

-Sometimes, but it’s not usual.

-Do you think people of your age often go through an existential crisis?

-I feel like at this age you really become self-aware, so I guess teenage years are the age when you get existential crisis the most in your life.

                                                                                                      Anonym 17 years

Existential crisis can look very different from the inside versus outside. To an outsider it can appear as: loss of motivation- someone stops caring about goals, school, work or routines that used to matter. Isolation- withdrawing socially because conversation feels shallow or exhausting. Emotional detachment- appearing numb, disconnected or emotionally flat rather than openly sad. People going through an existential crisis can sometimes look lazy, distant or depressed on the outside, but internally they may be struggling with deep questions about meaning, identity, purpose, and life itself.

Many people don’t know how it’s called but still live through it in one way or another.

So here is a bingo for you to identify if you experienced existential crisis:

Existential Crisis Bingo

1. “What am I doing with my life?” at 2AM

2. Watched 3 philosophy videos in a row

3. Thought about quitting everything

4. Suddenly aware you will die someday

5. Romanticized moving to a cabin

6. Opened LinkedIn and felt dread

7. Stared at ceiling for no reason

8. “None of this feels real”

9. Had a life-changing shower thought

10. Googled “how to find purpose”

11. Felt old and young at the same time

12. Questioned capitalism while buying snacks

13. Considered deleting all social media

14. Thought “is everyone just pretending?”

15. Wanted to disappear into the forest

16. Started overthinking after hearing one song

17. Imagined a completely different life

18. Had an identity crisis in public transport

19. Looked at childhood photos emotionally

20. Felt weirdly emotional about sunsets

21. Thought “time is moving too fast”

22. Had a mini crisis in grocery store aisle

23. Suddenly wanted meaning instead of productivity

24. Existential dread before sleeping

25. Thought “I need to change my entire life”

1 line: Mild existential seasoning

2 lines: Philosophical awakening

Full card: Congratulations, you are now legally a 19th century Russian novelist

Bonus points if you:

bought a notebook to “reinvent yourself”

listened to sad music while staring out a window

considered moving to another country to “start fresh”

had a crisis triggered by a random Tuesday afternoon

-Do you know what existential crisis is?

-Existential crisis? Yes, I know, or I think I do. It’s when one feels that there is no meaning in life.

-Exactly, so have you ever experienced this?

-No, I never did, I only read about this, that now days there are many young people feeling existential crisis. For instants they may even have a dissent life, money, a job, a partner but they still feel absent from some bigger meaning.

-What ages are you referring to by saying “young people”?

-I don’t know exactly but would say from 15 to 25 years.

-But don’t you think that back in the days when you were that age, struggle with existential crisis was as current problem as it is now?

-I think it absolutely was a smaller problem than it is now. Because it also comes from having a good life, if you are having an easy life, you are thinking more about stuff like that, because if you must fight for food or job, you don’t have time to think about something like existential crisis.

                                                                                                        Anonym 36 years

To have an existential crisis is natural to human beings, about 70% of people have experienced it, our brain is trained to search for reason, meaning or purpose if not this quality in our insisters we would not be able to evolve to this point. Humanity used to solve existential crisis with creating meaning, either through religion, politic believes or life values.

Studies show that it’s both youth and adults who are impacted by such phenomenon as existential crises, the only difference is what has triggered it and the kind of questions one is bothered with.

We go through many phases in life, from the very first breath to very last along the way we are questioning ones existents.

Childhood

Usually begins with the first scary realization that:

adults don’t know everything

people grow old

death exists

life isn’t perfectly fair

A child may suddenly ask:

“What happens when we die?”
“Why are we here?”
“Will my parents disappear someday?”

It’s often brief, confusing, and hidden behind curiosity.

Teenage Years

This phase is about identity and belonging.

Questions become:

“Who am I really?”

“Why do I feel different?”

“Do I matter?”

“What if I fail my future?”

Teen existential crises often appear as:

feeling misunderstood

emotional intensity

loneliness

rebellion

overthinking life late at night

This is usually the first time someone becomes deeply self-aware.

Early Adulthood (20s)

Often called the quarter-life crisis.

This phase hits when people realize:

freedom is overwhelming

adulthood is not what they imagined

everyone seems ahead

choices feel permanent

Common thoughts:

“Am I wasting my life?”

“Did I choose the wrong career?”

“Why am I unhappy even after achieving things?”

“What do I actually want?”

It’s usually a collision between expectations and reality.

Adulthood / Midlife (30s–50s)

This crisis is less about identity and more about meaning.

People may question:

their relationships

career

routine

purpose

aging

lost dreams

Common feelings:

emotional numbness

feeling trapped

fear of time passing

This is where people may:

change careers

divorce

seek spirituality

move away

suddenly reinvent themselves

Later Life / Aging

Existential thoughts become tied to:

mortality

legacy

regret

loneliness

acceptance

Questions may include:

“Did my life mean something?”

“Did I truly live?”

“What remains after me?”

Based on the above you found out what existential crisis is and how it may look, so one may get the following question: so how do I handle an existential crisis? Where can I find meaning of life or answer to who I am? Well, there is no universal or objective answer to that, unfortunately… But there are some tips that I found to be useful, for instance- therapeutic approaches. Therapy can be a helpful tool for coping with an existential crisis. Here are some therapeutic approaches that may be effective:

Existential therapy: This type of therapy focuses on helping individuals find meaning in their lives. It can help us explore our values, beliefs, and purpose and can provide a sense of direction and clarity.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT can help manage the negative thoughts and feelings that often accompany an existential crisis. It can help us identify and challenge our negative thought patterns and develop more positive and realistic ways of thinking.

Mindfulness-based therapy: Mindfulness can help us stay present in the moment and reduce anxiety and stress. Mindfulness-based therapy can teach us techniques to stay grounded and focused on the present rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

If therapy is not your cup of tea you can as well, try:

Practice mindfulness

Existential crises can take our minds in all sorts of different directions. But centering yourself in the present moment can calm racing thoughts.

One more tip is to explore Self-Care Strategies

Engage in activities that bring us joy: Doing things we enjoy can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Whether painting, hiking, or spending time with loved ones, engaging in activities that bring us joy can help us feel more fulfilled.

Practice self-reflection: Reflecting on our values, beliefs, and goals can help us find meaning and purpose. Journaling, meditating, or talking with a trusted friend or family member can be helpful for self-reflection.

Connect with others: Building meaningful connections can help us feel less alone and more connected to the world.

To conclude, existential crisis is not necessarily some sign that something is wrong with us. It may simply be proof that we are human beings capable of thinking beyond survival. We question life because we are conscious of it. Even though existential thoughts can feel isolating, confusing, or frightening, they are also pushing humanity to grow, create, connect with others, and search for meaning. Perhaps the purpose of life is not to suddenly “find” one perfect answer, but to continue creating meaning through experiences, relationships, dreams, and personal values. And maybe that uncertainty, although uncomfortable, is part of what makes life meaningful in the first place.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 90 390 (Sweden) for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 112 or whatever emergency number is responsible in your country.