#148: How to Handle an Existential Crisis in Your Work

Whether you’re working at a full-time job, debating your life purpose, you’ve just started a business, or you’ve been at it for many years, an existential crisis can, and will, hit us many times throughout our working lives.

I have many of these existential thoughts and maybe you have them too. Something along the lines of “who the hell am I and what am I doing?!”.

When we think we’re aligned in our business and these thoughts still come up, we can start to second guess ourselves even more. Are we not on the right path? Have we not done the work on ourselves?

It’s important to remember that even when we are fully in alignment with our business, we can still have these moments of an existential crisis. We are always growing and evolving, which means we’re always on the cusp of a new level. It doesn’t mean we’re out of alignment, it simply means we need a small adjustment.

Add to all of this the current global climate that we have all been living through for a year now.

When we feel like we’re in a crisis, we tend to grab on tighter to everything in our life and it’s important to notice that we’re holding on to the things that nourish us and energize us. Often, we overlook that we are actually grabbing on to what’s closest to us, and sometimes that’s a business or strategy that we have outgrown and would be better off letting go of.

I have been in this place over the past few weeks, experiencing waves of existential thoughts. It has been a heavy time globally, it’s the middle of winter here in Canada, and I’m missing in-person events (where I usually get filled up energetically) and seeing my friends. What this has reminded me is to focus more on what I can control, like waking up early, doing card readings, listening to a meditation, reading poetry, and turning off mindless scrolling online.

We can’t avoid the human thoughts that wash over us, but we can listen to the alarm bells that are reminding us to get back to what nourishes us.

On the episode, I cover:

The difference between a reaction and a response
Why we become overwhelmed
How to listen to our inner alarm bells

Remember, you’re doing better than you think.

I believe in you.

P.S. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out my online membership: The Lighthouse Collective. It’s a community for socially and spiritually conscious entrepreneurs creating a better world.

PPS. If you are interested in working 1-on-1 with me, I would love to connect with you on a free strategy call here. Learn more about my coaching services here.