Losing and Learning: Clinical Psychologist Talks About Feeling Stuck & More | The Zen Living Podcast

In this episode of The Art of Zen Living, host Shashank sits down with clinical psychologist and existential-humanistic therapist Abhya Sharma to explore identity, self-exploration, and the pressure to “have it all figured out.”

We explore: 

Quarter-life crisis: a phase between your mid-20s and early-30s where identity confusion, anxiety, and feeling “behind” in life can either break you down or push you towards transformation.

Self-exploration vs. external validation: how to tell if your search for meaning is truly yours or shaped by others’ expectations.

Healthy existential questioning vs. anxious rumination: the difference between curiosity about life’s big questions and getting stuck in unproductive worry.

Overuse of mental health labels: why not every low mood or moment of confusion needs a diagnosis.

Grounding through values and purpose: how aligning with what truly matters can help you feel steady, even in uncertainty.

Stay till the end for a fun rapid fire round!