The Unanswered Call into the Void
It’s the kind of silence that has weight. The 3 AM kind, where the only sounds are the hum of the refrigerator and the frantic, looping thoughts inside your own skull. You stare at the ceiling, feeling an acute, cosmic loneliness. It’s not just about a person leaving; it’s the profound, chilling sense of being utterly and completely forsaken by the entire universe.
This feeling, a cornerstone of what psychologists call an existential crisis, isn't a simple sadness. It's the terrifying realization that the universe doesn’t seem to have a plan for you, or for anyone. It's the emotional fallout of confronting an indifferent cosmos, a state of spiritual abandonment that can make you question everything. When you feel this deeply forsaken, the most urgent question becomes: what is the point of anything?
The Weight of the Void: When You Feel Utterly Alone in the Cosmos
Let’s just sit with that for a moment. That feeling of being a single, untethered speck in an infinite, silent expanse. It’s terrifying, and I want you to know that your fear is a completely valid response. This isn’t you being dramatic; this is your soul wrestling with the biggest questions we can ask. The feeling of being forsaken is a heavy, cold blanket.
So many of us are taught to expect a sign, a path, a grand purpose delivered from on high. When the heavens are silent, it can feel like a personal rejection, a confirmation that you are forsaken and alone. But your questioning doesn't mean you're broken. It means you are awake. It means you care enough about your life to demand that it have substance. We're here with you in that void, not to fill it with easy answers, but to hold a light while you navigate its depths.
The Paradox of Freedom: Why a Lack of Inherent Meaning Can Be a Gift
As our sense-maker Cory would observe, let’s look at the underlying pattern here. The pain of feeling forsaken comes from the belief that there is a specific meaning you're supposed to find, and you've somehow lost the map. But what if there never was a map? What if the feeling of being forsaken is actually the shocking, cold dawn of absolute freedom?
This is the central paradox of existential thought. The absence of a pre-ordained cosmic purpose feels like a terrifying void, but it is also the only condition under which true freedom can exist. If your path isn't written for you, you get to write it yourself. This is the foundation for overcoming nihilism. It's a shift from seeking meaning to building it, a concept central to therapeutic approaches like Logotherapy, which emphasizes our capacity to create meaning even in suffering.
So, here is your permission slip: You have permission to stop auditioning for a role in a play that was never written. The feeling of being forsaken isn't a cosmic judgment. It is an invitation to become the author of your own story. You are not forsaken; you are unbound.
Finding Your Anchor: How to Create Meaning in a Meaningless World
Our mystic, Luna, reminds us that meaning is not a monument we discover. It's a garden we cultivate, day by day. When you feel forsaken by the grand, cosmic narrative, the only way forward is to create your own small, sacred stories. Your purpose isn't a distant, burning star you must travel to; it's a root system you must consciously nourish right where you stand.
How do you create your own meaning? Not with one grand gesture, but with small, consistent acts of intention. This is how you reclaim your life from the void of feeling forsaken.
Connect Deeply: Meaning is often found in the space between two people. Not just scrolling past their updates, but truly listening. Sharing a vulnerability. Making someone feel seen. This is a powerful antidote to feeling forsaken.
Create Something: The act of creation is a rebellion against meaninglessness. Write a bad poem. Cook a meal for yourself. Build something, paint something, plant something. Infusing the world with your intention, no matter how small, pushes back against the feeling of being forsaken.
Serve Someone: Often, we find our own purpose by shouldering a small piece of someone else's burden. This isn't about saving the world; it's about making one person's day a little less heavy. This is a direct way of finding purpose in life.
Instead of shouting into the void, 'What is the point of it all?', Luna would urge you to ask a quieter question. 'What feels meaningful to me, right now, in this moment?' The answer might not be a cosmic revelation. It might just be the warmth of the sun on your skin. And for now, that is more than enough.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between depression and existential dread?
While they can overlap, depression is often characterized by anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) and persistent low mood. Existential dread is more philosophical; it's anxiety stemming from questions about life, death, freedom, and meaninglessness. You can experience existential dread without being clinically depressed, though one can certainly trigger the other.
2. Can feeling forsaken be a symptom of a spiritual crisis?
Absolutely. For many people, a sense of being forsaken is a core component of a spiritual crisis or a 'dark night of the soul.' It often happens when old beliefs no longer provide comfort, leading to a period of disorientation and questioning before a new, more personal sense of meaning can be formed.
3. How do I start creating my own meaning when I feel too overwhelmed?
Start small. Don't try to answer 'what is the meaning of my life?' Instead, ask 'what could bring me a small sense of purpose in the next hour?' It could be tidying one corner of your room, texting a friend, or stepping outside for five minutes. Meaning is built from these tiny, intentional actions.
4. Is it normal to feel abandoned by God?
Yes, it is a very common and normal part of many people's faith journey. This feeling of spiritual abandonment has been documented for centuries by mystics and theologians. It's often seen not as a punishment, but as a profound invitation to find a deeper, more resilient faith that doesn't depend on constant reassurance.
References
verywellmind.com — How to Cope With Existential Dread