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.

Travel A LOT

I believe one solid way of drowning out existential dread is by making a pact with yourself to see as much of the world as humanly possible in your lifetime.

If we didn’t consent to be here on this planet, but we’re now here on this planet anyway, then why not take this human experience and see as much of the world as we possibly can, whatever that might look like?

It’s harder to cope with existential dread when you’ve never left your hometown, or you feel stuck in the same city your whole life.

So even if you’re not a super wealthy person who can hop on private flights all the time to get around, it’s still possible to travel, explore, and create memories within the means of budget traveling, staying at hostels, instead of hotels, finding cheap flights, and building up a travel fund/savings account that’s purely devoted to helping you explore different parts of the world.

I really do feel like I’m here against my will, and without my consent. I didn’t give consent for my parents to birth me onto this planet.

But if I’m here, then I might as well make the most of it and I might as well go explore and see places that have been beautifully designed by God around the globe.