Floating in the Void: Queer, Neurodivergent & Facing Existential Dread

If you’re queer, neurodivergent, and alive right now, chances are you’ve felt it — the hollow ache in your chest when the world feels absurd. The nagging question, “What’s the point of all this?” The dread that creeps in when the distractions fade and the noise settles.

Welcome to existential dread — a deeply human, deeply sensitive experience that can feel especially loud for those of us who live on the margins.

Why Queer Neurodivergent People Often Feel This More Deeply

Existential dread often bubbles up in brains that question everything. For neurodivergent people (especially those with autism, ADHD, OCD, or complex trauma), constant reflection and pattern-seeking aren’t optional — they’re how we move through the world.

Layer in queerness — which often requires unlearning, reinventing, and surviving in spaces that weren’t built for us — and it’s no surprise that we carry a lot of heavy questions about purpose, identity, and belonging.

And when systems around us are unjust, when our basic rights feel fragile, when the world feels like it's crumbling — that dread isn't dysfunction. It’s a signal of aliveness.

You Are Not Broken for Feeling This Way

Let’s be clear: feeling overwhelmed by existence is not a personal failing. In fact, it might mean you’re tuned in. That your body, your brain, your spirit are reacting in the exact way a sensitive, thoughtful system should when faced with chaos and contradiction.

But even so — carrying this all the time is exhausting.

So what do we do?

We don’t force ourselves to “fix it.”

We come home to ourselves. Gently. Slowly. Without needing to solve the universe.

6 Self-Compassionate Affirmations for the Void

Use these like anchors when you start to float too far out:

1. “There is nothing wrong with me for feeling too much.” My sensitivity is a form of intelligence and care.

2. “I question everything because the world hasn’t always made space for me. That makes sense.”

3. “Even when I feel unmoored, I am still here.” My breath and body are proof of my presence.

4. “I can hold rage and awe. I can hold grief and laughter. I am big enough for both.”

5. “I don’t have to make meaning out of everything.” Sometimes being is enough.

6. “I am a queer, neurodivergent miracle. That’s not a metaphor. That’s real.”

Final Thoughts

Existential dread doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re aware. It means you’re trying. It means you're awake to the tension of living in a world that often feels unkind — and still choosing to care, connect, and create.

You don’t have to do it alone. There are others out here floating with you.

✨ If the weight of the world has you feeling untethered, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it all by yourself. Therapy can be a space to anchor, reconnect with your values, and build a life that feels more like yours. At Divergent Path Wellness, we specialize in walking alongside queer, neurodivergent folks just like you. Ready to take the next small step? Schedule a free consultation today.

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Hannah Dickey LMSW

Supervisee in social work

Psychotherapist at Divergent Path Wellness

If this post resonated with you, or you're seeking a mental health therapist in Virginia, we invite you to explore our services at Divergent Path Wellness. 

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