The Life Crisis – when the book shelf topples over
A psychological crisis can be understood as a "shaking of the soul" where a person feels thrown off course and loses their sense of direction. It may occur when life changes drastically in one way or another. Being in crisis is not pleasant; it is unsettling, overwhelming, and anxiety-inducing. However, a crisis often carries significant potential, and many people experience it as a turning point toward a better life.
Life's Challenges
Adversity is a fundamental condition of being human, and therefore, everyone will encounter crises in their lives. These may arise from illness, losing a job, the death of a loved one, or as part of major life changes, such as starting a new course of study.
In existential thinking, crises are seen as openings for new possibilities. While crises inevitably involve pain and suffering, they are also extraordinary states to experience. They are not part of everyday life but occur at one or more points in every person's existence. When we find ourselves in a crisis that shakes us deeply, we simultaneously encounter an opportunity to view our lives from a new perspective.
The Bookshelf
Metaphors and imagery can be helpful in understanding psychological phenomena, and I often use them in therapy with my clients. The metaphor I use to describe the upheavals of a life crisis is that of a bookshelf toppling over. All the books on the shelf represent the chapters and stories of our lives. A life crisis knocks everything over, creating noise, dust, and disorder.
As we pick up each book during the cleanup, we become aware of what books we actually own—and we gain the chance to choose which ones we want to keep on the shelf. Some books may no longer belong there—like ones that tell us we must never say no. We might also notice that we are missing certain books, such as ones that help us take care of ourselves. This process gives us the opportunity to organize and clarify what we want life's book shelf to hold.
Dealing with the mess
A life crisis is unavoidable for all of us, and there is no definitive "recipe" for what might trigger one. Nor is there anything pathological about experiencing a crisis—it happens to everyone. Just as inevitable as a crisis is, it can also be deeply rewarding if we allow ourselves to explore the possibilities from a new perspective. It can be reassuring to remind yourself that a life crisis—no matter how uncomfortable it may feel—can lay the foundation for meaningful growth. You might ask yourself:
- What do I truly want from my life?
- What really matters to me?
- Where do I want to go?
It can be difficult to manage all the chaos on your own, and that's completely okay. If you need help navigating a crisis, feel free to contact me for a no-obligation conversation about how I can help you.