ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dark Night of the Soul

Dark night of the soul is a time when a person feels very, very sad and confused. Sometimes they feel like they don't understand anything anymore, or that everything they thought they knew is wrong.

Imagine you have a favorite toy that you love to play with. One day, your parents take it away from you and you're left feeling sad and lost. That's kind of like what happens during the dark night of the soul, but with your emotions and your feelings.

People might experience this feeling for many different reasons. Sometimes they have experienced a big life change, like a death or a breakup, that leaves them feeling unsure of themselves. Other times they feel like they've hit a roadblock in their life and they don't know what to do next.

It can be really tough to go through the dark night of the soul, but many people think of it as a time of growth and learning. They believe that it's important to go through these hard times so that they can come out on the other side stronger and wiser.

If someone you know is going through the dark night of the soul, it's important to be patient and understanding. They might not be able to explain how they're feeling or what they need right away, but they'll likely appreciate your support and kindness.