"Nothing can rattle your sense of invincibility and security quite like a rupture in normalcy: losing a job, getting a life-changing medical diagnosis, experiencing a breakup, or losing a loved one. The reactions these crises spur may differ between you and the next person, but the feeling of existential dread they offer is almost universal. Unfortunately, modern culture doesn't make much room for the discomfort of these events."
"We're told to just "stay positive" and that we'll quickly "bounce back." But no matter what we or others tell ourselves, the sadness and unease they bring always linger in some way or another. This unease, however, is not the problem. Rather, it's likely that we expect not to feel it."
""Feeling shaken or anxious in the face of upheaval is not a sign of weakness. It is a deeply human response," she said."
""Existential authenticity is about living with a clear awareness of the fragile, finite, and uncertain nature of human existence, and still taking responsibility for one's choices.""
Life ruptures such as job loss, serious medical diagnoses, breakups, and bereavement commonly produce existential dread. Contemporary culture often pressures people to "stay positive" and expect quick recovery, which minimizes the lingering sadness and unease that follow upheaval. The presence of discomfort is not inherently problematic; the expectation of not feeling it creates additional harm. Unsettling moments can serve as doorways to existential authenticity by prompting recognition of human fragility, finitude, and uncertainty while encouraging responsible choice-making. Existential authenticity involves maintaining awareness of life's limits and continuing to take responsibility despite uncertainty, fostering a more grounded, authentic life.
Read at Psychology Today
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