Estar en una

One of those cryptic expressions I sometimes imagine a non-native speaker trying to decode is estar en una:

• Y, la verdad es que estoy en una.
• Hablé con Vale. Está en una…
• Estaba raro el ambiente. Como que todos estaban en una…
• Estás en una, ¿no?

Estar en una means to be going through a difficult time, which can be so for different reasons. A romantic relationship in a turbulent time, financial hardships, existential crisis… whatever that absorbs you so much that you stop being present.

When most of your vital energy recedes, estás en una.

Remember: Even when it’s dark, the sun is shining.

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