You’re not sure what you want to do with your life; you don’t know what to hold onto anymore.
The pandemic and all the violence in the world have been really brutal. You’re more isolated than ever, and spending too much time disaster thinking, doom-scrolling, and ruminating.
The void of isolation and loneliness is almost more than you can bear.
You’re terrified of the unknown and losing control, and you’re worried and feeling angsty, even a little crazy.
It’s gotten so bad you don’t even know who you are. And you’re scared.
Feeling Angsty in Santa Fe, NM
Angst is a German word meaning “a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, which is typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world.”
It’s often associated with existential despair, anxiety, and depression, which are different in character and feel from clinical anxiety and depression.
One of the top clues about existential angst and despair is ruminating, when you can’t keep your thoughts focused on much except being worried. Other clues include
- quietly feeling dissatisfied with life, or worried about it all
- an inability to make peace with past mistakes
- unable to move forward in your life; stuck in place
- your relationships, work, and career feel stagnant, even meaningless
- questioning who you are, as well as the meaning of life
- doubting the meaning of life and your purpose
- the feeling of malaise, meaning feeling uneasy and uncomfortable
- nervous and anxious
- apprehensive, without even knowing exactly why
- full of angst and despair
- worried about not living a meaningful life
- nervous and restless
- worried about not reaching your full potential
- concerned about dying without having lived
- ruminating about dying
You’re full of despair and angst. And often, there isn’t a specific target for all of that hopelessness and dread other than the general state of the world and how you feel about what you’re doing with your life.
Despair and Hopelessness Are Your Best Friends
Feeling angsty is about big-picture dread and anxiety. Despair and hopelessness about the future have become your best friends.
Honestly, it’s a little bit cosmic and spiritual. Suppose you don’t have a strong belief in an energy more significant than yourself. If that’s the case, it’s easier to feel that existential loneliness and dread.
When you know that you’re connected to something — anything — more important than your tiny ego and incessant monkey mind thoughts, you can feel a whole bunch of good and healthy things.
Good and healthy things like
- gratitude for being alive,
- appreciation of the beauty of an early summer morning hummingbird at the feeder,
- savoring your first cup of coffee or tea,
- the sound of a child’s laughter, the way your beloved looks when s/he softly smiles,
- an outrageous night spent dancing your little heart out to the best live band ever,
- happiness, my friend … happiness.
Many of my beloved clients come to me because they’re suffering with existential angst and despair, whether or not they can name their struggle with those words.
But they’re very clear about how crummy they’re feeling, how badly it’s affecting their lives, and how much they want to feel good again.
The Santa Fe Therapist Approach Angst, Despair, and Loneliness
I’m Melanie, and I love working with people struggling to get through the fog of angst and despair. There’s nothing more fulfilling for me than guiding and teaching you how to start believing in life again.
We’ll figure out what’s going on, and what you need to begin feeling less angsty, less stressed and overwhelmed, and more optimistic about who you are and what you’re meant to be doing with your life.
Some of the most potent ways to do that include learning:
- CBT and DBT skills
to overcome overthinking, ruminating, and negative self-talk; - anxiety management techniques;
- stress reduction strategies;
- mindful awareness skills; and
- neuroscience methods to re-train your brain.
In balancing the science of therapy with the art of healing, I’ll create an innovative program for you that sets you on a path of success from the very first session.
How I Can Help You With Feeling Angsty in Santa Fe, NM
My compassionate, creative approach weaves together my ability to hear below the surface of the words, advanced degrees, years of specialized training, and many years of professional experience helping folks find the answers to their deep questions about meaning and purpose, and living and dying.
One of my specialities is giving people the tools to cope with intense emotions. I use the latest neuroscience findings, and combine Western systems, Eastern wisdom, gentle Earth-based practices, as well as creative, innovative ideas to help you feel better as quickly as possible.
My clients usually work with me once a week for an average of 6 to 8 months. As we work together, you’ll be getting tools for long-term success, learning and using techniques to serve you for many years.
You’ll work hard for sure. But it won’t all be horrible and terrible! I love sharing ideas about good books and films, and laughing together once in a while, even when we’re talking about big-picture concerns.
And please know that I welcome ongoing conversations about making therapy the best experience it can be for you. My hope for you is that you’ll feel safe every step of the way.
The Santa Fe Therapist Offers Online Counseling in Santa Fe, NM
Online counseling helps women feeling angst and despair find the time away from day-to-day pressures to calm their nervous systems, cope with challenges, and learn new coping strategies to use between sessions. Online counseling from anywhere in New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, Los Alamos, Pecos, Las Vegas, Tesuque and El Dorado.
I strongly believe in the power of online counseling. Along with the research that proves its effectiveness, I see the positive benefits for my beloved clients every week. If you’ve got questions about online therapy, please click here.
Here’s What to Do Now
If you’re ready to talk about feeling less anxious and stressed and worried and so negative you can’t see the light of day, please be in touch. All you have to do is send me an email — melanie@melanieharth.com — to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
Here’s the thing … there’s no important investment you can make than therapy with the right therapist. It’ll benefit you the rest of your life.
Other Services From The Santa Fe Therapist
The Santa Fe Therapist specializes in several areas of health, wellbeing, healing and recovery. I know that one size never fits all. My services are individualized to each client, and are based on your values, your needs and desires, and your goals.
We offer individual adult counseling and guidance in Santa Fe NM for:
- dealing with overwhelming angst and despair
- anxiety help
- depression help
- emotional and spiritual healing
- processing grief
- overcoming low self-esteem
- learning how to make peace with the present
- PTSD and CPTSD/trauma
- helping you manage stress
