<p>I'm just wondering about the prevalence of existential angst in general. It seems that so many people have never questioned societal customs - and seem to have never experienced such angst - yet it does appear that people who have been through such angst have later become such vehement defenders of tradition after their period of such angst. Some others have converted to religion after such angst.</p>
<p>For me, I finally fell in with it at age 16.5. I think it affected me more deeply than it affected anyone else - since my thinking patterns have permanently changed from that point on, when I realized that most values really are social constructs. I suppose I could call myself a cynical nihilist, but I think skeptical nihilist fits more with my views, since I'm skeptical of all normative claims. Nonetheless, I still defend my own rights to self-study. ^^</p>
<p>Right before I gained a world-view, at age 12.5 in the middle of 7th grade. I was in a bit of a crisis because my dad had just left for Iraq.</p>
<p>I was very sheltered up until then. Then I read a book that pretty much gave me a world view, as in real, substantial opinions. Then I struggled with some philosophical questions, and am now the wonderfully cynical person standing before you at the age of 15.</p>
<p>I was born in a state of existential angst. My first word was "Why[?]". This was true even throughout elementary school. I saw people as "foolish" and their actions as "pointless". As a result, I was very arrogant during elementary school. I had many friends, but people often felt that I thought of myself as superior, and at the time I couldn't understand why they thought that [and hence, thought of them as foolish for making that assumption :D]. I was under the impression, throughout my childhood, that people performed random actions without actually thinking about what they were doing; I thought people were selfish, mindless beings. I was born a cynic. :D Over time, I believe that instead of criticizing the actions of humanity, I became more philomological [philosophical]. </p>
<p>Existensial angst is par for the course, methinks. Sometimes it just wells unstoppably up and I'm struck by a sudden sense of how absurd this all is. I've come to the conclusion that intellectualizing it, even just to dub it nihilism, removes it from the clarity of its emotional sphere and tosses it back into the realm of ridiculousness. So I lay down, try not to think, and let the numbing uselessness of it all sweep over me.</p>
<p>Then I get up, mentally brushing myself off, and go on with my day. Maybe I'll eat something, surf the internet-- ah! College confidential. Let's see what's on there today...</p>
<p>I think I went through my existential angst stage around middle school/early high school. I would lie around all day pondering philosophical questions regarding religion, morality, authority, etc. By now I just figure that we're all just going to end up dead anyway, I may as well spend my time playing mindless computer games or watching Desperate Housewives. Philosophy seems pointless to me now.</p>
<p>Around 13 (the time of my Bat Mitzvah and my parents' divorce) I started calling myself and atheist and shunning all forms of religion, thinking for the first time about breaking out of my shell of "goodness". Presently I would not call myself a part of any religion, but I do believe in a Godlike thing, I guess, and find religion a source of endless fascination instead of revulsion. Now I often question what the meaning of my life and the universe, but with much less anger and rebellious motives, if any at all.</p>
<p>Yeah, I went through the cynical, critical, philosophical phase as well. And then, I realized that I was just making myself miserable. I was getting annoyed with my friends over the most trivial of actions- stupid actions that I analyzed and called 'ignorant' and 'fake' and 'phony' (yes, I went through a Holden Caulfield phase =D). I got over myself, though. Sure, I'm still a bit of a cynic, but I really just try to enjoy life. I did retain some of more sensible philosophies, and I do try to act with purpose and unhypocritically (is that a word?)... but overanalysis and negativity only destroyed me. Some "intellectuals" might tut and shove some platitude like "ignorance is bliss" at me... but, guess what? I'd rather be "ignorant" than be weighed down by so-called "insights" on human nature. Yes, I'm still disgusted by portions of society today, but there's a difference between thinking open-mindedly and critically (meant as a synonym of 'analytically,' etc, here) and being a presumptious idiot.</p>
<p>...And voila, there's my incoherent rant for today!</p>
<p>Haha, for all of you, have you ever became apathetic as a result of that existential angst? (apathy to the point of even not caring about grades?) Or even not caring about friends?</p>
<p>Another question - has such existential angst shown up in pages and pages of blog posts/diary entries of yours? (referring to all potential readers)</p>
<p>hahaha
I've been in and out of existential angst crisis' since I'm about 8 or 9... and it does come up alot in my writting too...and it has come to a point where I don't care anymore</p>
<p>Yes...basically every summer. If I have too much time on my hands, I start going crazy thinking about whether I exist or whether the universe is real or if there's a point to anything, etc.</p>