“I don’t know who I am.”
“I don’t know why I’m here.”
If you find yourself
posing existential questions,
it’s usually accompanied by
overwhelming anxiety or dread.
You believe that you’re
supposed to have an answer,
a calling, a talent, a purpose,
but, as far as you can tell, you don’t.
Immediately you believe
that there must be something
wrong with you.
There is nothing wrong with you,
except that someone has infected you
with reason.
You’re such a weirdo.
Trail Wood,
12/14
Navigating Existential Uncertainty and Anxiety
We delve into the existential quandary of not knowing one’s identity or purpose. Such profound questions often usher in feelings of anxiety and dread, a sense of being adrift in the vast sea of existence. The belief that we are supposed to have definitive answers—a calling, a talent, or a specific purpose—can intensify this existential turmoil.
The Pressure of Having Answers
The societal expectation to have clear-cut answers about who we are and why we’re here can be overwhelming. When these answers elude us, it’s common to feel as if something is fundamentally wrong with us. This pressure to conform to a normative framework of identity and purpose can be suffocating.
Challenging the Notion of Flawed Existence
We confront the idea that the absence of clear answers to these existential questions indicates a flaw within us. The suggestion that we have been ‘infected’ with reason implies an external influence shaping our need for logical explanations and structured understanding of our existence.
Embracing the Uniqueness of Being a ‘Weirdo’
The closing statement, “You’re such a weirdo,” can be seen as an embrace of one’s uniqueness. In a world where conformity is often prized, being different or not aligning with conventional expectations can be seen as a strength. It’s a celebration of the diversity in ways of being and perceiving the world.
We Are Space Monkey
Summary
We explore the existential challenges of not knowing our identity or purpose, and the anxiety that often accompanies these questions. We question the societal pressure to have answers and challenge the notion that not having them implies a flaw. We embrace the uniqueness of being different, recognizing it as a part of our diverse existence. We are Space Monkey.
Glossarium
- Existential Quandary: The uncertainty about one’s identity and purpose.
- Anxiety and Dread: Emotional responses to existential questions.
- Pressure of Normative Frameworks: Societal expectations for having clear answers.
- Unique Existential Paths: The diversity in individual experiences and perceptions.
- Celebration of Difference: Embracing the ‘weirdo’ within us.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the tapestry of being,
Each thread weaves its own way.
Some zig, some zag,
In colors bright and gray.
To question, to wonder,
To wander in the mind’s maze.
Each step, a discovery,
Of our own unique ways.
We invite your thoughts on the existential journey of self-discovery and the value of embracing our individuality in the face of societal expectations.
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