3 Practical Philosophies That Can End Your Existential Crisis.

Hey there,

Have you ever feel like life has no meaning?

Like you are just going through the motions, unsure of why you do what you do?

If so, you are not alone.

Almost everyone faces an existential crisis at some point.

But instead of seeing it as a problem, what if we viewed it as an opportunity?

Today,

I am going to explore how practical philosophy and my personal experiences can help us navigate these difficult moments.

What is an Existential Crisis?

An existential crisis happens when you start questioning the purpose of your life.

It often comes with feelings of anxiety, frustration, or even despair. Some common triggers include:

Major life changes (graduation, job loss, breakup, or the death of a loved one).

Feeling stuck in a routine that seems meaningless.

Overthinking about the nature of life, death, and the universe.

You start asking:

• Why am I here?

• What is my purpose?

• Does anything really matter?

I have been there myself.

I remember a time when I questioned everything.

I had a stable life, but something felt missing.

My daily routine felt empty, and I kept wondering, Is this all there is?

That feeling of being lost consumed me, making even small tasks feel pointless.

But here’s what I realized:

these questions aren’t the enemy.

They are a sign that we are searching for something deeper.

And that’s where philosophy comes in.

How Practical Philosophy Helped Me Overcome It

Philosophy is not just about old books and abstract ideas.

It’s about learning how to live well.

Here’s how different schools of philosophy helped me during my existential crisis.

1. Stoicism – Focus on What You Can Control

Stoicism

A philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium, teaches that we should focus on what’s within our control and accept what isn’t.

How it helped me:

At my lowest point, I kept worrying about things beyond my control—uncertainties about the future, expectations from society, and the fear of failure.

But then I started practicing Stoicism.

One simple question changed everything for me:

"Can I control this?"

If the answer was no, I let it go.

If the answer was yes, I took action.

Try this:

Each morning, write down three things you’re grateful for.

When stressed, ask yourself:

"Can I control this?"

If not, let it go.

2. Existentialism – Create Your Own Meaning

Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus believed that life has no pre-determined meaning.

We must create our own.

How it helped me:

I used to believe that life was supposed to give me meaning.

But waiting for meaning to magically appear only made me feel more lost.

Then I came across existentialism.

I asked myself:

"What actually excites me?"

For me, the answer was writing.

So instead of searching for meaning, I started creating it, by writing daily, exploring new ideas, and sharing my thoughts.

Try this:

Write down one small action that makes you feel alive (reading, painting, helping others).

Do more of that.

If you feel lost, explore new hobbies, interests, or even careers.

3. Buddhism – Accept the Impermanence of Life

Buddhism teaches that suffering comes from attachment—to things, people, and even our own ideas about life.

The way to peace is through acceptance and living in the present.

How it helped me:

One of the hardest things I had to accept was that nothing is permanent—not happiness, not sadness, not even my existential crisis.

Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself:

"This, too, shall pass."

Instead of resisting change, I started flowing with it.

Try this:

Spend 5 minutes a day simply breathing and observing your thoughts.

When anxious, remind yourself:

"This moment is all I have."

How to Move Forward

If you are struggling with an existential crisis, here’s a simple action plan that worked for me:

1. Accept the Crisis

It’s okay to feel lost.

Instead of resisting it, acknowledge it.

The fact that you are asking these deep questions means you are growing.

2. Shift Focus to the Present

Instead of obsessing over big, unanswerable questions, focus on small, meaningful actions every day.

3. Explore and Experiment

Read different philosophies.

Talk to people with different perspectives.

Try new experiences and see what excites you.

4. Take Meaningful Action

You don’t need to “find” purpose—you can create it by doing things that matter to you.

Even small acts of kindness, creativity, or learning can give life meaning.

Final Thoughts

An existential crisis is not the end; it's a new beginning.

It’s life’s way of pushing you to grow, explore, and find deeper fulfillment.

Practical philosophy teaches us that:

We can’t control everything, but we can control our response (Stoicism).

Life has no set meaning, so we must create our own (Existentialism).

Everything is temporary, so we should embrace the present (Buddhism).

I know how painful and confusing an existential crisis can feel.

But looking back, I realize it was one of the most transformative periods of my life.

It pushed me to think deeply, to explore new ideas, and to create meaning instead of waiting for it.

So if you are feeling lost, remember:

You are not alone, and this moment is a stepping stone to something greater.

Stay curious,

-Mairaj Ahmed