Identity, life purpose & existential issues
Why identity and purpose is important to our wellbeing
Identity and existential issues refer to the deep internal friction and anxiety that occur when a person experiences a lack of meaning, direction or clarity about who they are and what their life stands for. It often surfaces when old roles, careers or beliefs fall away, leaving an individual facing a blank canvas and a persistent feeling of inner emptiness.
Existential crises and identity struggles can happen particularly during major developmental and life milestones—in young adulthood (ages 18–25) and mid-life (ages 40–55).
It is also very human to have fundamental questions about the purpose of life in times of loss or grief, in response to trauma, where we are isolated for long periods of time or don’t feel connected to people in ways in which we feel a valued part of a community or with meaningful purpose in our lives.
When we feel different to other people and that we don't fit, that can cause people to question their identity and purpose.
What we can experience when this need is missing
People tell us they experience emotional numbness, unexpected waves of crying, intense anger or resentment, guilt, physical exhaustion, brain fog and a real difficulty focusing on daily tasks or imagine a fulfilling future. A major transition can take away your social support network, financial security and disrupt your daily routines.
The loss of someone dear to us can leave us disconnected from our meaning and world. A neurotypical and neurodiverse brain design can also alter on how you make sense of your life experiences and emotions.
A life with meaning and needs met in balance
From a Human Givens perspective, one of the reasons that grief, loss and transition is so difficult is because it instantly shuts down the primary channels through which a person was meeting their emotional needs—such as their need for emotional intimacy, meaning, security, attention or community. The pain of grief is the brain struggling to find a way forward when its familiar map has been taken away.
We respect and honour your natural need to grieve and process your feelings without rushing you. We believe that people learn to live alongside their grief and loss, rather than making it go away.
At the same time, we want to support you in a gradual process of making sense of your experiences and in rebalancing, at a pace that is comfortable for you. This may be in helping you identify and use your resources, strengths and supportive relationships. We guide you step-by-step to rebuild your daily routines and find ways to meet your emotional and physical needs, allowing you to build a new life structure that honours your past whilst looking forward.