How to Deal With A Crisis of Meaning

Many of us are regularly thrown off course by what we might term ‘crisis of meaning’; periods when what we are up to seems not to connect up with anything purposeful or properly dignified. It’s at such moments that we need to lean on a bigger theory of what meaning is, where it comes from, and how our lives relate to it.

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Mike Booth

[dangerTheledger]

This video worsened my existential crisis. Thanks

[toofreshtooclean]

About 6 months ago my depression hit me really hard and I was having so many dark thoughts including "what is the meaning of life" and nothing helped me including therapy and prescriptions but, I am doing way better now and found out that the best way to break the cycle is thru work and craft. Finding a passion and setting small goals to build yourself up, recognizing Day by day that you are getting stronger, smarter, happier and healthier. Even when you have bad/rough days staying positive and believing in the work you are putting in goes a long way. Anyways just thought I'd share this in case anyone is going thru an existential crisis right now so they know it's not the end of the world and that you will get thru whatever your going through, stay strong 💪🏼🤘🏻

[ciprianturta]

The meaning of life is living.One day, as I was making my way home from school I had the feeling that I had no meaning, that whatever I will ever do is useless. So I was feeling very sad. Then suddenly, as I started listening to the sound of my steps on dirt, I realised that all my suffering was caused by this sick perspective that was inoculated to me. This view of life of considering life as a mission that you need to complete and everything has to work for that mission. The sound of my steps in dirt seemed to me like music, then suddenly everything around me was a dance: the cars stoping at the red light, the wind moving the leaves, the cloudy sky, the people moving, the uniqueness in every little thing. Then it came to my: life is music, a dance and what mattera is being part of it, experiencing it. Life is playfull. When a pianist plays the piano he doesn't seek the end of the music, he simply is one with music. He is in the moment. Carpe diem. Similarly life is a big dance in which everything is involved. A big smile appeared on my face and since then I live not bothering about any meaning. I experience life fully enjoying this amazing trip.

[CRFSUIGENERIS]

Love is the highest meaning of life. We pervert it and fail it a billion times over. It doesn't pay the bills, but it satiates the spirit/soul like no other. It takes courage and responsibility to be kind to flawed humans. But it's our highest calling. It elevates everything we do.

[PursuitofWonder]

The measurement of the individual against the collective is too vast and disconnected for the human mind to comprehend in any real fulfilling way. In order to feel like life has meaning, it is important to live with authenticity in our choices, endeavors, and personality. This will give us the feeling of self-worth and importance, something we can only truly get from ourselves.

[PersonalPower]

Before we talk about a crisis of meaning, a financial crisis or a crisis of any kind we should clarify what a crisis actually is. Most of the time we think a crisis is a horrible thing, but actually a crisis is neutral. A crisis is a turning point and we can come out on top. A crisis determines the outcome, but it mustn't be a bad thing. It can be quite good. In fact it all depends on your perception and what you make out of it. I recently experienced a crisis myself and I realized that a crisis is nothing more and nothing less then a drastic change. Just a day ago I uploaded a video on this exact topic. Last time you were a day before me, but not this time! I really loved this video!

[VioletannaVlogs]

Pokemon cards are really just colourful pieces of cardboard, aren't they?
Yet I still have mine. Cause they mean something to me.

[V-Hello-ANewDay]

"What we call 'being depressed' means not being able to find oneself on the grid of meaning." — very well-pinpointed (I find)!

[Cookiez]

I like the saying "what is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is to give life meaning."

[lunadumbledore]

i can't accept the fact that one day we'll just die and eventually be forgoten

[mmmmmm]

This is so me this month, perfect timing

[brettwyatt]

maybe the existential crisis reflects that point when you don't feel anymore. I really struggle to find love or experience love.i can't connect with people easily.i don't love anybody and I don't love myself. very often i compare modern life to a slaughter house. and I find it hard to be human or a meaningful human.i feel like cattle and I see modern life as one big fast food franchise. we all just want to eat and eat each other.

[liljar.]

Damn, I wish I was a cat so my only concern would be if my nap is long enough.

[riverwaters]

The video is to provoke thought. You don't necessarily have to agree with the message. I hope all of you take the time to find what makes you happy because these videos have a tendency to make you question your values and beliefs; Which brings them to light invoking thought and an opportunity for reconsideration.

[zkz]

This video helps me come to terms with my own depression and terminal illness. Deriving satisfaction and comfort from the advancement of the human species, and my tiny part in that, is a good way to add meaning to life. Thank you.

[canibaloxide]

Alleviate the suffering of a few others by not having children who will have children who will have children.

[rea]

You guys at the school of life surely know how to deal with crisis. Your advices are so right and your voice so peaceful that you can solve any crisis in just one video! Thank you for all the work you do!

[batistalift]

This argumentation ignores the fact that mankind will go extinct one day anyway. Considering this, every contribution to the "Project Mankind" is annihalated.

I prefer to accept the fact that none of us's life has any deeper meaning. Nothing really matters, in the end we're all gonna die and nothing will remain. However, this doesn't depress me at all. I actually see this as some kind of ultimate justice.
Plus, I believe that life as we know it isn't everything. Because we are more than the sum of our atoms. The energy that we call "consciousness" isn't a physical thing, therefore it is not trapped in the physical system of our universe forever. I strongly believe we will continue to exist after we die - not in a paradise, probably not even as a human or as an organism as we know it. But somehow, things will go on.

That's how I solved my existential crisis. Maybe some of you can understand what I mean.

[jesswen]

It's interesting to consider how, no matter how small our actions, they can contribute to the wider achievements of humanity. Thank you to the School of Life for making even the inconspicuous actions seem noble and worthy of praise - it is a huge reassurance to most of us who are mediocre in many ways.

[Anon]

The meaning of life seems intrinsically connected to the search for it.