There are times when everything feels flat. Not sad, nor happy, just empty. This is often referred to as emptiness, a feeling that is difficult to explain but very real.
Referring to the article "Why We Feel Empty" from Psychology Today (2022), author Michael Friedman, Ph.D., explains that sometimes we feel empty for various reasons. It's not because something is wrong, but because something is right with us. Because our environment is very toxic and does not align with our life goals and meaning, we are reluctant to engage with it.
Therefore, feeling empty is not always a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it can be a way to express our inner protest against an unhealthy environment. When we realize that we are not aligned with the principles of the society around us, feelings of emptiness arise. This is because we are actually looking for something more meaningful in our lives.
More than 400 people aged between 18 and 80 have experienced feelings of "emptiness" occasionally or frequently in their lives, according to research conducted by Sani and Herron (2021). An online survey found a variety of responses from participants. Some described the experience as a bottomless vessel that could never be filled, while others described it as a feeling of isolation from the community that drained all of one's energy. Several respondents also said that the emptiness made them feel as if everything they did was futile, that they were just going through their daily routines without a purpose. Interestingly, around 50% of the study participants had no previous history of mental health disorders, indicating that emptiness can be experienced by anyone, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis of a mental health disorder or not. (Sani & Herron, 2021)
This feeling is actually more common than we think. And, to be honest, it's understandable. In this fast-paced life, sometimes we just go through the motions: wake up, do our tasks, then go back to sleep, without really feeling alive. Some people describe it as waiting for death. This may be a frightening thought, but it is also true for some people.
Emptiness can arise when life goes on without strong emotional bonds, either with other people or with ourselves. Even though we have many activities, friends, and even laughter, we still feel that nothing "sticks." Perhaps it is because we are not fully present or because we do not understand what we are doing.
One way we can deal with this is by accepting these feelings. We can pour all our feelings into writing or through meditation. Meditation and writing can help us calm down and understand that this is not something to be afraid of. We can also try talking to someone we trust, such as a friend, family member, or even a doctor. Listening to other people's perspectives can sometimes help us see things we hadn't thought of before. Most importantly, don't force yourself to feel 'fine' right away.
Although emptiness doesn't just disappear, we can find meaning behind it by using strategies to accept, understand, and take care of ourselves.
References:
Friedman, M. (2022, July 7). Why we feel empty. Psychology Today
Sani, F., & Herron, S. J. (2021, July 30). Many of us feel ‘empty’ – understanding what it means is important for improving our mental health. World Economic Forum.
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