Each day, we are faced with choices — some small and barely noticed, others large and life-defining. Our moral choices, however, carry a special weight; they reflect not just what we do, but who we are and who we are becoming.
Many people imagine morality as a set of rigid rules handed down from on high. But in existential therapy, we see moral choice as an invitation to radical responsibility — to stand fully in the awareness that our actions shape our character and ripple outward into the world.
When we choose, we affirm certain values and, implicitly, we let go of others. Every yes is also a no. This freedom can feel exhilarating, but also frightening, because it means we cannot hide behind circumstance or blame alone.
Søren Kierkegaard wrote that anxiety is the “dizziness of freedom.” In my work, I often see that anxiety arise when people realize they are truly free to create meaning through their choices. But it is precisely in this freedom that the possibility for authentic living emerges.
A moral life is not about perfection. It is about ongoing reflection, courage to course-correct, and the willingness to act in alignment with our deepest values — even when it is difficult, even when no one else is watching.
May you meet your moral choices not as burdens, but as opportunities to shape a life of integrity, connection, and meaning. And may you find the courage to live in a way that feels true to your highest self.