Life crises – when life takes an unexpected turn
We all go through life crises at some point. A crisis can arise when several areas of your life change at once and force you to reconsider your choices, your values or the direction of your life. It often comes as a surprise – something you hadn't planned or seen coming.
A life crisis can also be an existential crisis, where you face a new life situation or a decisive choice. During these periods, it can be hard to navigate your feelings and find a way forward. This is where I can help you get an overview and understand your reactions, so you can cope better with the change.
Examples of life crises I can help you with:
🔹 Becoming a parent
🔹 A break-up or divorce
🔹 Bereavement
🔹 Being made redundant or big changes in your working life
🔹 Major life choices (should we have children, where should we live, how do we want to live?)
🔹 Illness – your own or that of someone close to you
🔹 Being let down or betrayed
🔹 Identity crisis
🔹 Moving home
What does a life crisis feel like?
A life crisis can feel as if you are losing your footing and the meaning of your current situation. Sometimes you can see the change coming, while at other times it feels as if the rug has been pulled out from under you.
Many people experience a loss of control, where life suddenly feels unpredictable and insecure. In that kind of situation, you may feel a strong urge to find quick answers, but often it is more about understanding the changes you are going through and how you relate to the feelings that come with them. When we dare to face our feelings, we gain insight into which parts of ourselves have been affected, and what we need in order to find meaning and security again.
Typical reactions to a life crisis:
🔹 Uncertainty and doubt
In a life crisis, you may feel a great deal of doubt, because you are facing difficult choices or changes you didn't choose. This can leave you feeling insecure and unsure whether you have made the right decisions.
🔹 Low mood and racing thoughts
When we are in crisis, we often become emotionally overwhelmed. Over time the pressure can become so great that you feel heavy and low – as if you are "boiling over" in your attempt to find a solution. This often leads to racing thoughts, which drain your energy without bringing you any closer to an answer.
🔹 Anxiety, stress and burnout
A life crisis is a psychological strain that also shows up physically. Your body sends signals that you are working overtime – perhaps you notice tension, restlessness, increased tiredness or outright stress. When we live with uncertainty, the body tries to restore a sense of safety, but if the situation can't be resolved quickly, it can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
🔹 Fear of the future
When you are in a life crisis, fear of the future can feel overwhelming. The unknown and the changes that come with it can make the future hard to grasp, which can feel like a loss of control. Many people feel a strong wish to "get out of it quickly", but finding a way forward often takes time and calm.
How do I book, and what does it cost?
Prices:
- DKK 1,100 per 50-minute session.
- 📅 Book a free introductory call using the button below. Sessions are held in English, either in person at my practice near Aarhus or online by video.
- 📩 Any questions? Send me a text message on +45 24 81 67 79 or an email to kontakt@marlenelyby.dk – I will reply as soon as I can.
How do you get through a life crisis?
Life crises are a natural part of life, but that doesn't mean they have to define you. A crisis only comes to control you if you stay stuck in it without working through it.
Moving on is often about understanding what the crisis means for your identity, learning new strategies – for example more self-care – or working through the feelings of grief and shock that may come with it.
Here are some first steps you can take to work through your life crisis:
✔ Acknowledge that it is a crisis for you – whatever others may think.
✔ Talk to someone to understand what feels difficult.
✔ Seek help and support – either professionally or through the people around you.
✔ Explore what the crisis means to you – for example by talking it through or keeping a journal.
✔ Remember that time is on your side – healing happens gradually, and you are not expected to find the solution straight away.