We often view so-called ‘negative’ thoughts and behaviors as problems to be erased. However, an existential approach to therapy sees them differently—they are signposts, messages from your inner world, trying to communicate something important:

• Depressive thoughts might be signaling that certain areas of your life feel unfulfilling, guiding you to explore new directions, away from where you are or what you’re doing.
• Catastrophizing could indicate that you feel unsafe, perhaps due to recent or past traumatic experiences.
• Lethargy or pessimism might point to a loss of vitality and a disconnect from your body, suggesting that you’re not nourishing yourself in ways that support your well-being.
• Self-doubt and rumination could highlight the impact of oppressive, unsupportive, or toxic environments that stifle your growth or connection.
• Shame might suggest that you’ve fallen short of your own expectations. Yet, deeper reflection could reveal that these standards are inherently unfair, overly harsh, or shaped by painful past experiences—distorting how you measure your worth and imposing unrealistic expectations.

—- Therapy becomes an opportunity to explore and follow these signs, uncovering the messages they carry and understanding what they’re trying to tell you. By listening to these signals with openness and curiosity, you can reconnect with a more authentic and meaningful way of living.