# 119 - The Psychology of Waiting: Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

This week we’re diving into a literary and psychological classic: Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

What happens to the human mind when it waits—indefinitely—for something uncertain or even nonexistent? Why does limbo feel so emotionally unbearable for so many of us? In this episode, we explore the absurdist masterpiece through the lens of existential psychology, codependency, trauma, and emotional avoidance. From Camus’ idea of “the absurd” to Viktor Frankl’s call to find meaning amid uncertainty, Beckett’s characters offer a powerful mirror to our modern-day emotional lives.

We’ll also unpack:

• The illusion of control and the emotional toll of chronic uncertainty
• How distractions—from phone scrolling to humor—can keep us from facing uncomfortable truths
• The difference between rest and avoidant coping
• Spiritual bypassing and the cost of deferred dreams
• The psychology of waiting and how we can break the cycle

You’ll also hear personal reflections on waiting, stillness, and how Beckett’s existential limbo relates to everyday emotional experiences—from meaningless meetings to stuck relationships.

🧠 Referenced Works & Resources:

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
• Existential Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom
• Spiritual Bypassing by Robert Augustus Masters
• Waiting for Godot, Endgame, and Stories and Texts for Nothing by Samuel Beckett
• Reclaiming Conversation by Dr. Sherry Turkle
• A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

📚 This week’s savory reading stack includes:
Improvement by Joan Silber
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

📲 Join the conversation:
Follow on Instagram @thelemontreecoaching for daily quotes, prompts, resources, and reflections that deepen each episode’s theme.

⚠️ Reminder: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you or someone you know is in crisis:

• In the U.S., call or text 988
• In Australia, dial 000

🌿 Why listen to The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast?
Because you're ready for real, meaningful growth. Hosted by Dr. Allison Sucamele, each episode offers compassionate, psychologically informed insights to help you understand yourself more deeply, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and navigate life with clarity and authenticity.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform or visit thelemontreecoaching.buzzsprout.com

If you need immediate help or support, here are some resources:

• U.S. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – nami.org
  Offers support groups, helplines, and educational materials
• Psychology Today – psychologytoday.com
  Find therapists by location, specialty, or insurance
• Therapy for Black Girls – therapyforblackgirls.com
• Therapy for Black Men – therapyforblackmen.org
  Culturally competent mental health resources
• Open Path Collective – openpathcol