#existential questioning

[themeaningoflifepodcast]

When Do We Start Questioning the Meaning of Life?: Exploring the Timeline of Existential Inquiry

Is it a childhood curiosity, a teenage angst, or a midlife crisis? We delve into the various stages and triggers that prompt us to ponder life's big questions.

The Inevitable Inquiry: The Universal Human Question

It's a question that unites us all, whether we voice it out loud or keep it tucked away in the back of our minds: When do we start questioning the meaning of life? It's not like there's a specific alarm that goes off at a certain age. Instead, it seems to bubble up at different points, triggered by a variety of experiences.

Childhood Curiosity: The Seeds of Wonder

For some, the questioning of life's meaning begins in childhood. Those endless "why" questions that drive parents a little crazy? They're often the first seeds of existential inquiry. Kids have a natural sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, and they're not afraid to ask the big ones: "Why are we here?" "What happens when we die?" These early inquiries, though simple, lay the groundwork for a lifelong exploration.

Teenage Angst: Identity and Uncertainty

The teenage years are a breeding ground for existential questioning. As we grapple with identity formation, hormonal changes, and the pressures of adolescence, we often start to question our place in the world. "What am I supposed to do with my life?" "What's the point of it all?" This search for meaning during adolescence is often fueled by a sense of uncertainty and a desire to find our own path.

Adulthood's Challenges: Triggers for Re-evaluation

Adulthood brings its own set of triggers for questioning the meaning of life. Career pressures, relationship struggles, the responsibilities of family, and the realization of our own mortality can all prompt us to re-evaluate our priorities and search for deeper significance. This existential inquiry can be particularly intense during periods of major life transition, such as career changes, divorce, or the loss of a loved one.

Midlife Crisis: A Moment of Reckoning

The "midlife crisis" is a classic example of a time when many people grapple with the meaning of life. As we reach middle age, we may begin to question our accomplishments, our relationships, and our overall direction. "Is this all there is?" This period of reflection can be a catalyst for significant personal growth and a renewed search for purpose.

Lifelong Exploration: An Ongoing Journey

The truth is, questioning the meaning of life isn't confined to any single age or stage. For many, it's a lifelong exploration, an ongoing process of reflection and discovery. We may find ourselves revisiting these questions throughout our lives, as our circumstances and perspectives evolve. It's a journey, not a destination.

Featured Quote:

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

---

additional tags:

When do we start questioning the meaning of life, questioning of life's meaning, existential questioning, search for meaning, existential inquiry, meaning of life, purpose, life questions, life purpose, existential crisis

---

Blog Disclaimer:

The content on this blog reflects the author's personal views and for general information only, not professional advice. We're sharing perspectives, and you're responsible for how you use this information. We're not liable for any outcomes. Think of this as a conversation – your insights and actions are your own.

---

The Meaning of Life Podcast

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tmolpod/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TMOLPODCAST

Please Read Below:

Episodes are originally distributed on Spotify. All episodes are then re-uploaded and published onto YouTube 24-hours after the original publication date.

Podcast Disclaimer:

Please note that 'The Meaning of Life Podcast' explores complex and personal topics. The views and discussions presented are intended for thought-provoking exploration and should not be taken as definitive life advice. Listen with an open mind and consider what resonates with your own experiences and values.

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions anonymously so you don’t have to! Submissions are open on the 1st and 15th of the month.

[wickedzeevyln]

Before Congratulations

Before congratulations. Make no mistake, it will get their foot in the door. While it is a milestone, it is critical to ask what they’ve learned? How will they put their learning into practice? Above all, with the knowledge they wield, how will they shape this world as a better place? I belonged to a world where the importance of education is stressed as an ingenious strategy to placate…

[sweeneydino]

He's really sick.

Based on this hard-hitting scene in Spy Kids 2

God I love that movie.

[vanillayoteart]

Coyote HRT: Month 6

Coyote HRT: Week 25  Nothing like some existentialism about your entire sense of being to start the day right. I know folks talk about "the crossroads" a lot but... nobody talks about how the "human you" dies so that the "animal you" can live. Major thanks to AyvieArt and Lakehounds for the inspiration Start - Prev - Next

[taygra5shaon]

Would love to see an au where your durge was able to save orin and they could be siblings who arent doomed to kill one another

Hello Anon, and sorry for the late reply! didn't mean to, but I had a lot of things to do...🥲 still, thanks you for the kind words, you are amazing!❤️

so, an AU were Orin could be saved is not really believable, seen her fanatic behavior, but just for the love of the the 'what if' i think she will join the fight against the absolute only because her brother is set on doing it.

just like befriending Minthara, not everyone will be ok with her ( the companion she kidnapped and Jaheira they will be against her and I think the approval rate of Durge will take a heavy hit because of that), but I think that everyone would do an effort to stand her, just for Durge.

here a scene of this AU that I thought when I read your comment 🙃:

[mipmoth]

When Ingo was sent through the time space distortion it left behind a ghost of his lost memories

[veryintricaterituals]

Something about Good Omens from a Jewish perspective, something about Crowley, about questions, something about how we are not in heaven, about how we get to decide the rules here on Earth, something about discussion, about wrestling with G-d, and something about how G-d is outnumbered and doesn't get a say, something about how "heaven" and "hell" don't really matter, about trying to make things better from the context of our lives, something about leaving the world a better place than you found it, something about drinking and enjoying life right here and now, something about "they tried to kill us and failed, let's eat".

[rin-sith]

This came to me earlier, and now I am utterly obsessed: While it was clear to me that Odysseus stabbing Poseidon wasn't any kind of Vengeance, there was one act of Vengeance after all, even if inadvertent—it was Odysseus disproving Poseidon's "Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves" belief right in front of his very eyes. With him as the subject, even.

Think about it—the fact that Poseidon remained ruthless and insisted on punishing Odysseus was the only reason he got stabbed repeatedly. If Poseidon had been merciful, if he had accepted Odysseus' offer of forgiveness, he would've been fine. His own ruthlessness backfired so hard on him this time that I am sincerely hoping it haunts him forever.

I am actually utterly obsessed with Poseidon thinking back to Odysseus "Maybe you could learn to forgive?" on a daily, no an hourly basis. I cannot and will not lie to you that is unironically my favorite moment in the whole Vengeance saga just because of what it says about both the characters—about Odysseus for offering and Poseidon for declining (and also because Odysseus sings it in Poseidon's own motif which is just absolutely brilliant.) And this makes me love it even more.

Poseidon was going to decline, we all know that. I don't think anyone watching—even Odysseus, probably—expected him to accept. But then I'm picturing him lying there, bleeding into the stone, and, against his will, wondering whether maybe he should have. Maybe if he had, he wouldn't be in pain. Maybe if he had not killed Odysseus' fleet ten years ago, he wouldn't be in pain either. Maybe this one time ruthlessness wasn't mercy upon himself—maybe this time, his one grand belief was wrong. Maybe ... it was always wrong.

Obviously, he would never admit to these thoughts, he would slap himself for having them one second later. But I simply need this self-proclaimed god of ruthlessness to be utterly haunted by that and question whether he made the right choice or no—whether he's even lived by the correct philosophy all his immortal life—and no matter what, be too stubborn to admit he was wrong.

He's trying to pretend like nothing changed, but the thoughts still remain. They pester him. They won't leave him alone. Especially every time someone—anyone—is kind to him for whatever reason, they come crashing back into him and they won't leave.

"What if my own ruthlessness hurt me that time?"

"What if ruthlessness isn't mercy upon ourselves after all?"

"What if I'm wrong?"

"What if I have always been wrong?"

The most dreadful thoughts imaginable to a god as proud and stubborn and old as Poseidon, but they're there now and he can't do anything about them. You all don't understand how much I NEED this god to jolt up in his bed at 3 am after having a dream or nightmare about something related to one of his many ruthless deeds (maybe even sinking Odysseus' fleet) and go "BUT WHAT IF I HAD LEARNED TO FORGIVE?? WHAT IF I STILL COULD??" only to immediately slap himself for it because that's absolutely ridiculous.

He is left to watch this belief shatter before his very eyes as he's clinging to the remains of it desperately, trying to keep it all from crumbling. Not because he genuinely believes he's right anymore, but because he simply cannot imagine ... does not know how to live by any other philosophy.

No matter whether it's objectively correct or not, it's the very thing that defines him. The thing he's known for. He has built his entire image around this, he cannot give it up no matter what ... at least not quickly or without help.

But as much he would seek to deny it, his core belief has now been proven wrong; he has actually lived through an instance where it was wrong, and he can do nothing to erase those memories or conclusions from his mind no matter how much he yearns to go back to simpler times.

And that was the real Vengeance, guys—possibly the biggest, most painful existential crisis of Poseidon's immortal life. I rest my case.

Although before I disappear back into the void I simply must give a shout out to @o3o-lapd-o3o (this came to me during a conversation in one of their comment sections for the glorious Friends In Higher Places AU, which is quite possibly my favorite piece of EPIC fan content that exists ...)

[lazyyogi]

You go to school, score the grades, get the job, make the money— pay the loans, the bills, the rent— all while scrounging just enough energy to keep going.

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a game you never consented to play?

Every moment you fail to question the game is your consent.

But wanting the game to improve isn’t the same as questioning it. That just tightens the chains. 

No one seeks escape from a prison that still fascinates them. Freedom begins the moment you lose your taste for it.

And then you’ll see: to question the game is to stop asking how to win… and start wondering who’s playing.

[themeaningoflifepodcast]

When Do We Start Questioning the Meaning of Life?: Exploring the Timeline of Existential Inquiry

Is it a childhood curiosity, a teenage angst, or a midlife crisis? We delve into the various stages and triggers that prompt us to ponder life's big questions.

The Inevitable Inquiry: The Universal Human Question

It's a question that unites us all, whether we voice it out loud or keep it tucked away in the back of our minds: When do we start questioning the meaning of life? It's not like there's a specific alarm that goes off at a certain age. Instead, it seems to bubble up at different points, triggered by a variety of experiences.

Childhood Curiosity: The Seeds of Wonder

For some, the questioning of life's meaning begins in childhood. Those endless "why" questions that drive parents a little crazy? They're often the first seeds of existential inquiry. Kids have a natural sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, and they're not afraid to ask the big ones: "Why are we here?" "What happens when we die?" These early inquiries, though simple, lay the groundwork for a lifelong exploration.

Teenage Angst: Identity and Uncertainty

The teenage years are a breeding ground for existential questioning. As we grapple with identity formation, hormonal changes, and the pressures of adolescence, we often start to question our place in the world. "What am I supposed to do with my life?" "What's the point of it all?" This search for meaning during adolescence is often fueled by a sense of uncertainty and a desire to find our own path.

Adulthood's Challenges: Triggers for Re-evaluation

Adulthood brings its own set of triggers for questioning the meaning of life. Career pressures, relationship struggles, the responsibilities of family, and the realization of our own mortality can all prompt us to re-evaluate our priorities and search for deeper significance. This existential inquiry can be particularly intense during periods of major life transition, such as career changes, divorce, or the loss of a loved one.

Midlife Crisis: A Moment of Reckoning

The "midlife crisis" is a classic example of a time when many people grapple with the meaning of life. As we reach middle age, we may begin to question our accomplishments, our relationships, and our overall direction. "Is this all there is?" This period of reflection can be a catalyst for significant personal growth and a renewed search for purpose.

Lifelong Exploration: An Ongoing Journey

The truth is, questioning the meaning of life isn't confined to any single age or stage. For many, it's a lifelong exploration, an ongoing process of reflection and discovery. We may find ourselves revisiting these questions throughout our lives, as our circumstances and perspectives evolve. It's a journey, not a destination.

Featured Quote:

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

---

additional tags:

When do we start questioning the meaning of life, questioning of life's meaning, existential questioning, search for meaning, existential inquiry, meaning of life, purpose, life questions, life purpose, existential crisis

---

Blog Disclaimer:

The content on this blog reflects the author's personal views and for general information only, not professional advice. We're sharing perspectives, and you're responsible for how you use this information. We're not liable for any outcomes. Think of this as a conversation – your insights and actions are your own.

---

The Meaning of Life Podcast

Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tmolpod/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TMOLPODCAST

Please Read Below:

Episodes are originally distributed on Spotify. All episodes are then re-uploaded and published onto YouTube 24-hours after the original publication date.

Podcast Disclaimer:

Please note that 'The Meaning of Life Podcast' explores complex and personal topics. The views and discussions presented are intended for thought-provoking exploration and should not be taken as definitive life advice. Listen with an open mind and consider what resonates with your own experiences and values.

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions anonymously so you don’t have to! Submissions are open on the 1st and 15th of the month.

[frog-girlfriend]

crossover of the century being a former rt/ah fan and having gavin’s question of a million dollars but you get chased by a snail that’ll kill you if it touches you inspire grian to the point of having a wild card in the new life series literally be the snail that chases you

[sweetberry-roebuck]

Hey y'know when the current moment is transcendently beautiful and meaningful and true, but you know that it is temporary and you can't help but feel existentially haunted by that fact. You know when you are experiencing beautiful heartrending art and you feel lost in the moment and then its over. You know how you'll experience art or human connection or a walk on a nice day and you know the sunlight on your skin will fade and you'll forget how it felt to be this warm.

You know in video games when there is one experience-definingly gleeful or touching or viscerally emotional moment that soon ends and leaves you with something more complicated, more doomed, more cyclical? You know? You know how it feels to dig your claws and teeth into a moment and try as hard as you can to feel it and to remember it and to make it part of yourself? Do you know??

[turtleblogatlast]

[ cw: slight questioning of gender identity / ]

Leo learning he’s trans and having various reactions to it.

1) Uncaring - not like anything really changed? It’s like learning your blood type. Leo is Leo, that’s all.

2) Existential - how the heck did he miss this for so long??? Wait is this gonna change his perspective of gender for himself or is he overthinking things??? He’s comfortable in his own skin and all but what if he’s not, actually? Should he think about this harder? Are there other things about himself he doesn’t know of yet-?

3) Peeved - what do you mean he could have had sick long claws and a cool long tail?

4) Relieved - WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS STRIPES???

[grhmwtts]

lately,

i’ve been trying to hold space for the harsh realities—the limitations, regulations—i must impose on myself. i spent the past decade unlearning what my church had taught me to be definitively “good” or definitively “bad” and, in such, unleashed a brutal and intoxicating world onto my feeble, pastel body. in said liberation was a newfound understanding that there is no place for objectivity in regards to the good, the bad—but there is, and must be, subjectivity to the good, to the bad. i soon thereafter considered myself a hedonist, indulging in the endless search for pleasure with a fixation on the pursuit of a higher fix each time, because i had believed that since i had the capacity, the ability to do all things then i must do all things. i suppose, herein i shall introduce emotional intelligence, making its entrance in stride, arm-locked, with a sense of identity. somewhere, in the place where their skin meets, warm by their intertwining arms, resides desire—futile, pulsating—escaping. this is where i find myself now: captivated by their entrance, rotten as intrusive thoughts darken the stained glass windows of the church of my mind. what ceremony is this—i dare not ask. but i am keen, and i am ruined, like never before. my veins rupture, an aneurysm of a divinity, where the “good” and the “bad” seek to tear apart each ligament of mine. in these spaces between possibility is the understanding that anything can reside within it, for the specifics do not dictate the general picture—the microaggressions do not typically overtake the one’s impression of character—but certain matter does make a knee capable of bending or in need of replacement. as such, it is within our own genetic, emotional, makeup which suggests what matter might be best for our personal functionality, ease of existence. and only, through the desire brought by contact of emotional intelligence and a sense of identity, their two independent entities and the room that is this church that is this world, that this life of a mind, do we begin to understand how exactly to piece together this body, this world, this life of self. in this process, i find myself. in this process, i find myself questioning my individuality, examining it through a lens and finding in what ways it differs to that of the general understanding, the inundation of mass media. but only in the quietude can i find myself. so i hold space for the harsh realities—the understandings crippling my adolescent-views of self, world. and i allow myself to accept—radically, theatrically, screeching in beauty and terror—that what is “good” for me is good for me, what is “bad” for me is bad for me, and neither of these standards decree a general “good” or a general “bad”. they instead eradicate judgement, eradicate fear, and invite empathy and honor to each outlook. i, still worry-minded and adolescent-angsted, wish to know how good/bad works for other people, hope that i am not the only one to feel so alienated by the way the world apparently works. but in the most minute senses: i must think of these guideposts as allergies. varying in intensity from discomfort to death, i must know the risks and remedies. i must accept that my body, my brain, might not take to 0T7 very well. even if 0T7 is commonly revered, i must instead respect my own limitations, and see them for what they are: understandings which enable me to find my own ease of existence, embrace my personal functionality at its best. it’s a long, hard-fought battle to recognize one’s own capacities and shortcomings. tis an arduous process, what most call life. and i am thankful to recognize that these specifics contribute to what makes me me, similar to the atoms, to my genetics, a glorious collision suggesting life, i get to embrace my own harsh realities. for the world is vast and we can lose ourselves within it. the self is vast and we can find our world within it.