It’s not a good sign to feel empty. There are times when you might feel like you’re going through life without paying attention. You might also not be as excited about your goals as you used to be. No matter what caused this feeling, know that it’s normal.
This feeling of being empty can look different for each person. The feeling can be caused by anything from unsolved problems from the past to a change in your own values.
What Does Emptiness Feel Like?
You may have told yourself, “I feel empty,” but it’s hard to put into words. Could it be that you feel like something is missing? Maybe the way things are now doesn’t match up with your desires or goals. Being emotionally numb or cut off from the world is a common sign of feeling empty because we’re not living our most satisfying life.
Potential Causes for Feeling Empty
When you feel empty, it’s important to stop and think about what might be causing it.
There are different reasons why someone might feel empty. For instance, you might be going through sadness and feeling lonely at the same time. Check to see if any of these hit home for you.
- Your life doesn’t match up with what you believe in. It’s possible that your daily life doesn’t match your goals and ideals if you feel detached from it. It can be hard to be happy at work and doing things you normally enjoy.
- You’re having trouble sleeping for a long time. Sleep is very important for keeping our minds healthy. If you don’t get enough sleep or have a sleep problem, it might be hard to get things done during the day.
- You’re not interested. If you’re not interested in your job or the things you do in your daily life, you might feel empty.
- You’re dealing with a big event in your life. You might be looking for what to do next now that you’ve finished from college. As you go through a big change in your life, you may have a psychological crisis and start to question what your life is all about.
- Taking care of yourself isn’t a priority for you. As a form of self-care, you might enjoy your favorite dessert or finally make that dentist visit you’ve been putting off. If you don’t take care of your health on a daily basis, it will definitely affect your mental fitness.
- You have feelings that you haven’t dealt with yet. Unresolved emotions from stressful events in the past can have an effect on our whole brain structure. As we go through different stages of life, more parts of ourselves that need healing may become clear. Your dark self may come to the front of your thoughts and demand your attention.
- You are upset. When you lose a loved one, it’s normal to feel numb or detached. You can also feel sad when you lose your job or a friendship.
- You are missing someone. One of the most important things that makes us happy is connecting with other people. Sometimes when you’re lonely, you might feel like you’re not doing anything.
What to Do When You Feel Empty?
Pay Attention to Your Feelings
The first and most important thing you need to do is accept how you feel. It’s possible to understand and fix yourself by telling yourself, “It’s okay that I feel this way.” If you try to push the feeling down or ignore it, it will only get worse over time.
Thoughts on Your Routine and Top Priorities
Look more closely at what you do every day. Are you doing things that make you happy or just doing what you have to do? Question yourself: “What do I really enjoy, and do I make time for it?” Change your plans to include things that make you happy and give your life value.
Reach Out and Make Connections
Connecting with other people is one of the best ways to fight feelings of sadness. It can help to reach out to a trusted friend or join a group activity, even if you feel like you’re not having much fun. Being around other people helps you feel like you belong and gives you the mental support you need to deal with feeling empty.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care
Feeling empty can make you think about the past or the future, which can make it hard to stay in the present. Meditation, writing in a journal, or even taking mindful walks can help you stay in the moment. These things will help you think about yourself and get to the bottom of the question “Why do I feel so empty?”
Explore New Hobbies or Passions
When you feel empty, it can be a sign that you should try something new. You could learn a new skill or try out a hobby you’ve always been interested in. This can spark your interest and make you feel good.
Get Help from a Professional
If the feeling of sadness doesn’t go away no matter what you do, you might need to talk to a mental health professional. Therapists can help you find problems that are deeper than you think, like leftover stress or long-term sadness. You should know that asking for help is a sign of strength and a good way to figure out why you feel so empty and how to get over it.
Conclusion
Being empty doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you or that it will last forever. It means your body and mind need some care. Whether it’s by making small changes to your routine, being honest with your friends, or putting yourself first, there are things you can do to give your life meaning again. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why do I feel so empty?” this is a warning that this feeling is only temporary. With time and effort, you can replace it with a sense of being whole and happy.
Remember, it’s okay to feel empty sometimes, but it’s also within your power to seek fulfillment and rediscover what makes life vibrant and meaningful.
