Existential dread is the dread that comes from the reality that even though we didn’t give consent to be here, we’re here and we’ve been thrust into existence on a planet that forces us into a system where we must figure out how to survive every day.

As life continues to grow more expensive and the job market continues to get more tragic, I believe rates of suicide will continue rising.

Which is why I really want to take this time to talk about how to cope with existential dread.

I am not talking about curing existential dread because I really don’t believe there is any way to completely cure existential dread.

I read from a philosopher that to be born is to inevitably suffer. But here’s one helpful way you can cope.

Create more than you consume

I think we can drown out existential dread by creating more than we consume, and by filling our schedules with things that are fulfilling and meaningful.

To create more than consume means you’re choosing creation over consumption.

Consumption comes in the form of scrolling mindlessly, binge watching shows all day, binge eating junk food, listening to low vibrational music, and just consuming anything that makes your life feel small, repetitive, and bleak.

Ways you can create include writing, filming content, painting, sculpting, dancing, or just generally building something from nothing.

And when you create, it’s a reminder that you’re not just a passive observer of this world collapsing around you or a passive observer of this corrupt system we’ve been placed inside of.

It means that you’re choosing to become an active participant in shaping something meaningful in your life.

It means that, even if we know the world is corrupt, we can still add something honest, beautiful, or comforting to it anyway.

And that alone makes existence feel less pointless.

In simpler terms, I believe that drowning out existential dread requires a lot of fulfilling distractions, and meaningful calendar scheduling.

Escaping existential dread often requires keeping yourself busy with things that make your life feel like it’s worth living.

For me personally going to dance class, creating content on social media, and writing lifestyle articles about relationships and travel are some examples of things I do to keep myself busy so I don’t end up curled in a ball thinking about how dreadful it is to exist on a planet that is completely corrupt and disproportionately unfair.

For each individual person it’s different.

Different things call out to different people regarding what you’re passionate about, what interests you, and what you can do to fill your schedule with fulfilling activities.