Anxiety & The Leap: Kierkegaard's Dizziness

Introduction: Life Without Anxiety is Dead

We treat anxiety as a ‘Disease’ and try to eliminate it with meds. But existential philosopher Kierkegaard said, “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” Dizziness felt by one standing at the cliff’s edge. Is it fear of falling, or trembling at the possibility of flying?

Core Concept: Trembling Facing Possibility

Animals don’t feel anxiety. They live by instinct. Angels don’t feel anxiety. They live by God’s will. Only Humans with Freedom of Choice feel anxiety. Curse yet Blessing of “I can choose my future”. We are overwhelmed before Infinite Possibility. In other words, Anxiety is proof you are Awake.

Deep Dive: Leap of Faith

Kierkegaard saw life in 3 stages.

Aesthetic Stage: Life chasing pleasure and senses. Soon bored. (Don Juan)
Ethical Stage: Life keeping duty and morals. But hits one’s limit. (Good Husband)
Religious (Spiritual) Stage: Decision beyond logic and ethics. This is the Leap.

The only way to solve anxiety is not ‘Hiding in Safety’, but Throwing oneself into Uncertainty (Leap). “I don’t know the future, but I will trust my soul’s voice and do it.” At this moment, anxiety turns into Passion.

Practical Application: Using Anxiety as Energy

Singers with stage fright sing best. Because they transmute that Trembling (Anxiety) into Focus (Energy).

Reframing: When heart beats, don’t say “I’m anxious”, say “I’m excited”. Physical reaction is same. Interpretation differs.
Face Worst Scenario: “So what if I fail?” You won’t die. At most a bit embarrassed. Stare at the ghost of anxiety, it shrinks.
Small Leaps: Not huge decisions, but small adventures today. Take a new path, talk to strangers.

Conclusion: Push off the Cliff

Mother eagle pushes chicks off the nest. In the fear of falling (Anxiety), the chick desperately spreads wings. Only then it realizes. “Ah, I had wings.”

Anxious? You are at the edge of a cliff. Do not retreat. Close eyes and Leap. You will not fall. You will Fly.

References:

Søren Kierkegaard, The Concept of Anxiety
Rollo May, The Meaning of Anxiety