Whether you're just graduating high school or finishing college, getting out into the real world can be hard. Some days, you wake up and say, "what am I doing with my life?" or "why am I here?"
There are even times where you begin to question everything you've ever done. If you are experiencing any of these, or have experienced this, you are having an existential crisis.
For me, no matter what I'm going through, there is always a song that gets me through the happenings of each day. And with being a student in college and going through new life experiences for five years now, I've found that I've had more existential crises than I can count.
Here are a few of the songs I like to listen to when I'm having one of these moments, hopefully they will help you too.
1. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia
Usually, this is used at the beginning of the crisis. It points out the change that you've been through and the decision that comes as to whether or not you enjoy the change.
2. You’re Not Alone - Marie Miller
As mentioned numerous times in this song, you're not alone. Many people go through this, and you're going to be OK.
3. Fight Song - Rachel Platten
When going through a crisis, you learn from this song that it’s time to take your life back and to take control of who you are and what you want. It’s the “rise and conquer” song of the situation.
4. Be OK - Ingrid Michaelson
When in a crisis, the one thing you want to feel is "OK" again. This song shows you the want to be OK again and to accept your broken parts.
5. Get Better - Frank Turner
When you feel that everything's just not working out, and you're never going to get out of this, just think, "You're not dead yet." I also like this song because it also gives the message that it does get better and to not accept anything less than the best.
6. Peace of Mind - The Killers
Sometimes, you won't find a resolution right away, but, "Peace of mind is easy to find when the time is right." This also teaches the art of letting go and to just go with the flow of things.
7. Oh, What a Life - American Authors
This song makes you think about your feelings...a lot. When having an existential crisis, it gives you a good grasp on how you're actually doing at the moment.
8. Words - Train
This is a song of not giving up and to accept the changes that have come, or are coming, into your life. Also, that no matter what happens, don't let the words get you down.
9. Tomorrow - Annie
Since childhood, I've always loved "Annie," and "Tomorrow" was always my go-to pick-me-up song. It always has shown me that things may not come together right away but to always remember that you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, because tomorrow will bring a new, and hopefully better, day.
10. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
After "a long, hard lonely winter," this classic teaches that no matter what happens, there will be something positive that will come out of it.
