So You’re Having an Existential Crisis: A Roadmap for Lost Souls

by Ben Thomas

One day you find yourself in a strange body, in a strange world, without any sense of direction or purpose. Who are you? Where do you go? What do you do? Who should you become? We’ve all experienced some version of this before—an existential crisis.

So You’re Having an Existential Crisis is a comprehensive guide to living for those who feel lost, stuck, confused, or are simply curious about the nature of being. Journeying into existentialism, phenomenology, ethics, psychology, and critical theory, this book explores several outstanding questions on the human condition. What does it mean to be truly free? And do we actually want freedom? How can I be my authentic self while navigating love? Why was I born as this person and not someone else? How do I live with suffering (and student loans)?

An existential crisis can be an uncomfortable experience—it unsettles the very fabric of our being. At the same time, it is an opportunity towards greater understanding and awareness. And, through examining the questions it provokes, you may find that your existential crisis is the key to a life worth living.

Ben Thomas is a Canadian-born researcher and writer who is currently pursuing his PhD in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. He is also the creator of Sisyphus 55, a YouTube channel focused on philosophy, psychology, and literature, which has garnered over one million subscribers and more than seventy-five million views. Ben has previously published psychological research on eudaemonia and the good life. On his podcast, he has interviewed politicians, academic researchers, social media influencers, and cult survivors, exploring topics such as love, existentialism, politics, and identity. In his personal life, Ben is an avid traveller, having volunteered at a giant tortoise breeding centre in the Gálapagos Islands, hiked Torres del Paine in Patagonia, and worked at an after-school program for at-risk youth in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ben is committed to understanding the human experience, on an individual and societal level, through community and creativity.

Genres: Philosophy

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2025

Reviews

[Otto Elg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting concepts and thoughts, but I personally feel like the book is ultimately undermined by a lot of the points being based on misunderstandings or insufficient knowledge about certain subjects.

The question ”if we evolved for survival - how come we jump put of planes and skydive?” brings light to this regarding evolution.

Personally didn’t enjoy it

The existential crisis continues 😅

[Antony Monir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid work about (but not restricted to) existentialism. If you’re into philosophy and/or have had an existential crisis, you will enjoy reading this! 4/5

[Adetayo Abinusawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you’re not having an existential crisis, or just a mild one, it’s a great read.

[wasif · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Must imagine sisiphus happy? Is he though? This book dives into the meaning of life, love and happiness. Deals with Existentialism and guide readers to a possible way out.

Decent Read. The writer's writing feels so Close to myself as he is young and his writing isn't far up there with the likes of Albert Camus who he is clearly fond of but that makes the message he's trying to push very impactful and easier to digest for a amateur Philosopher enthusiast.

[Jimmy Katzmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his Freshman title, Ben Thomas does a brilliant job at creating a beginner’s guide to existentialism. The content is lean but still holds room for creative storytelling, personality, and vulnerability.

[Jojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd do 3.5 for this book, but anyway.
I still recommend reading this book, I found it quite useful and liked it. I can't avoid reading this book with the narrating voice of Sisyphus 55 while I try to read Ben Thomas's words on this book.

That has made my experience so much drier than I expected, and don't know if I can attribute it to the way Thomas writes, or the fact that I expect his voice to be a mix of a dry psychologist's description of the world intermingling with a guy just talking about his feelings with beautiful music and some funny doodles in the background.

I love the structure and the premise of the book. How do you give someone with an existential crisis a roadmap for maybe not being such a lost soul?

Of course, take stock of the cards you've been dealt - and how people and YOU can decide to play them. Lots of philosophical gems and references that function as great jumping points, inclining more towards the existentialist tradition.

This book did not make me feel any less lost, but I was able to discuss with my partner and friends so much about the concepts this book raised to me, that I have to deem it a worthwhile visit.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like part philosophy, part therapy session, and part practical handbook for anyone feeling unmoored. It reads like a conversation with a friend who has done the research, lived through a few dark nights of the soul, and wants to help you make sense of your own.

What stands out most is the tone. Instead of promising quick fixes, Thomas invites you to pause, reflect, and get curious about your discomfort. The writing balances depth with accessibility, mixing references to thinkers like Kierkegaard and Sartre with modern examples that make those ideas feel relevant.

[Peter Spyrka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads in my opinion, like a well ordered primer of a variety of philosophical ideas. A place to start for inspiration and guidance for further reading. I feel like it's a little short and doesn't explore the ideas within as much as the author does on his YouTube channel but maybe it benefits from being short and easily digested.

[Zelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Sisyphus55 writes a book, of course I will read it!

Thoroughly enjoyed the book, it picks at various philosophers & psychologists to make its points. And wonderfully it doesn’t come across as disingenuous cope, but rather a meaningful exploration of how to approach existential anguish. Only issue I have is that it could have been longer and explored the ideas more thoroughly.

[Padma Sri Lekha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best reads of 2025. I felt this book resonated with my thoughts and understanding of philosophy and psychology. This book felt like a discussion over passive reading, addressing the essential existential questions from different dynamics.

[Jordan Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful modern take on the absurdity of life leaning heavily on the philosophy of Camus, Neitzche, and others.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

still a lost soul. But the book is a nice summary of interesting philosophic takes

[Emīls Ozoliņš · Rating 3 out of 5]

an important meditation to have, but not necessarily one that’s written particularly well or provides great philosophical value

[Vince McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This is a really good book from beginning to end. I really underestimated it when I purchased it. I actually judged the book by its cover, but this is a very good read!

[Mhp Torri · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a delight to whomever is interested in philosophy, no need to be in an existential crisis. Ben's video essays have been very dear to me for years and this book is the summit of his content.