Triggers
Events such as graduating, marriage, divorce, starting a family, or retiring can prompt deep reflection on life's direction.
What are major life transitions?
Activities, values, and gratitude.
What is finding meaning and purpose?
The ages in which an existential crisis typically occurs
What are developmental milestones?
Imposing a pre-defined identity.
What is External vs. Internal identity
Gregors inability to continue working as a traveling salesman represents the loss of this, which is central to existential crisis.
What is purpose or meaning in life?
Experiencing or witnessing significant trauma such as a death or a serious illness or even betrayal which can shake your sense of purpose and fairness in life.
What is trauma and loss?
Focus on the now, mindfulness and meditation.
What is to be present?
The gender in which an existential crisis will typically occur.
What is both genders?
Eroding traditional sources of meaning.
What is paradox of connections.
Despite his sacrifice for his family, Gregor becomes increasingly isolated from them, showing this existential theme of human disconnection.
What is alienation?
Feelings of loneliness or a lack of connection to others which can intensify feelings of isolation and meaninglessness.
What is isolation?
Connect with others, join a support group.
What is a support system?
Other factors that cause an existential crisis to occur.
What is a high intelligence?
Societal norms.
What is pressure to meet societies expectations.
Gregor cannot control his new life as a bug, showing this existential idea about lack of control over ones own life.
What is helplessness.
Hitting a certain age which can prompt significant reflection on past achievnments and future prospects.
What are milestone ages?
Be kind to yourself, reframe negative thoughts.
What is a positive mindset?
The age range in which Gregor was when he experienced his existential crisis.
What is 20s?
Creating anxiety about the future.
What is overwhelming uncertainity?
Gregor feels trapped in this because of his job and his family's dependence on his income, showing how society's expectations can create existential stress.
What is work/employment/productivity?