In the Middle Ages, the age of religion, magic, and superstition, people lived well according to God’s providence. God has ordained a job and a purpose in life. However, societal structures often limited personal freedoms back then, with the church playing a dominant role in dictating moral and social norms. This reliance on divine authority and tradition created a collective mindset prioritizing spiritual salvation over individual expression. However, with the advent of the Renaissance, people began to cry, “Hear your own voice.” Humanism was born to focus on the human being itself (Jellis Vaes, 2018). This shift marked a profound transformation in art, science, and philosophy, encouraging a reevaluation of humanity’s role in shaping the world. Consequently, the Renaissance catalyzed intellectual and cultural advancements that laid the groundwork for the modern era.
Feeling empty might occasionally show up as loneliness, uncertainty about your life and objectives, or a lack of drive to do anything in life. Everybody may occasionally experience this emptiness in their hearts. Interestingly, this feeling often prompts people to seek deeper meaning or connection, which can lead to personal growth and self-awareness. Moreover, engaging in activities like meditation, therapy, or social interaction has been shown to alleviate such emotions over time. There could be various reasons for the experience, such as changing hormones, losing your job, or the necessary physical separation that accompanies a pandemic. A momentary sense of emptiness may also result from any stage of life or circumstance that calls for introspection about yourself and your existence. Feeling empty may also indicate certain mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression, though this is not always the case. Studies indicate that understanding and addressing underlying causes can significantly improve mental well-being. Your illness can only be properly diagnosed by a mental health specialist (Silva, 2021).
What occurs if you constantly feel empty?
People could not stand this infinite liberty, and nihilism appeared, saying there was no reason or meaning in the world. Happiness disappears quickly, and life is full of boredom. Moreover, a persistent sense of emptiness may lead to decreased motivation and social withdrawal, further isolating individuals from potential sources of fulfillment. Many people feel bored and pain without finding a reason to live the boring daily life that is repeated every day.
Ascetics also argued that killing a person’s desires and forming a community by serving neighbors could make us forget ourselves and be happy. It is not by satisfying desires but by forgetting oneself for the sake of others that happiness is to be found. Furthermore, this approach emphasizes the value of collective well-being over individual gratification, fostering harmony and mutual respect within communities. Even in extreme cases, transcending the self becomes a central part of the ascetic ideal.
Being disconnected from yourself: It is common for people to occasionally lose touch with themselves. A lack of self-awareness might cause that persistent sense of emptiness. This is also referred to as “living without a purpose.” It indicates that you may be unsure of the kind of person you are and the one you wish to be. Feeling empty might also result from not having clear objectives or aspirations. Numerous situations can cause you to lose touch with who you are. For instance, a demanding career or a relationship that consumes you (Group, 2024). Additionally, societal pressures to conform to external expectations may further distance individuals from their authentic selves, exacerbating this disconnection.
A protracted grieving process that you have not yet examined may occasionally be the cause of your depressed mood. For instance, an unresolved traumatic event from your early years or feeling abandoned by a family member. Long-held emotions may appear differently if we do not discuss or examine them honestly. Suppressed feelings often resurface as physical symptoms like fatigue or chronic stress, underscoring the need for emotional healing. Thinking about and discussing important previous experiences that caused you grief may help you process them, even if it feels overwhelming and unpleasant. It is highly recommended to go through the procedure alongside a mental health expert, depending on how strongly you feel about these occurrences.
Taking care of others may come first for some people. They might eventually neglect their own needs because of this. This could then result in a sense of emptiness. When this self-neglect becomes habitual, it can lead to burnout, reducing your ability to provide meaningful support to others. You may believe that you are happier when you make other people happy. Even so, it’s crucial to remember that helping others does not mean you must stop helping yourself. Everyone, including you, requires care and support. When your needs are met, you can often better support and assist others. According to Durham, North Carolina marriage and family therapist Kaitlyn Slight, giving up on yourself and not paying attention to your own aspirations might leave you feeling empty. According to Slight, neglecting your needs can result in feelings of anxiety, remorse, and humiliation. You may refer to these symptoms as “feeling empty.” Spending too much time on social media may also have an impact on your mood and exacerbate feelings of emptiness. Social media accounts you follow may frequently present an idealized or unrealistic lifestyle or appearance. You might compare yourself as a result, which would unavoidably highlight your life.
According to one of the longest studies on adult life, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, preserving healthy, close connections is the most significant part of the human experience. This implies that the quality of your relationships matters more than their quantity. Active listening, companionship, support, and emotional connection are all crucial. Fostering trust and mutual respect within these relationships can enhance emotional well-being and overall life satisfaction. Feelings of loneliness and emptiness may result from lacking these in your life (Silva, 2021).
How to stop feeling empty
The desire for a sense of belonging and quality of comparison is human nature. However, in the end, you must realize that you have to live your life independently. The way to become the master of your life is to have solitude for yourself rather than leaving yourself to others just because you feel lonely and anxious. Developing self-awareness through practices like meditation or journaling can help you understand your emotions and reclaim control over your life. Actually, life could be nothing. If the universe is 100 years old, our life lasts only 20 seconds, a seemingly insignificant fragment of time. Nietzsche viewed this nihilism, the idea that life is meaningless, through the lens of his concept of “eternal return.” He described a world where the same things are repeated infinitely and nothing is truly new. Nietzsche did not deny nihilism. Rather, he accepted it as it was (Jellis Vaes, 2018). By embracing life’s cyclical nature, Nietzsche encouraged people to find purpose in self-overcoming and personal growth despite life’s inherent absurdity.
If you’ve seen a difference in yourself, it’s normal to feel worried. The first step to feeling better is acknowledging this emotion and taking appropriate action. Seeing a mental health professional can assist if you’re feeling empty. A therapist could assist you in processing your emotions, determining the reason for the numbness, and addressing it in a way that suits you. They might also introduce coping mechanisms, such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, to reframe negative thought patterns and promote a sense of purpose. The cause of the empty feeling may determine how to stop it. For instance, you may need to process this specific occurrence if you feel numb following trauma. Building a support network of trusted friends or loved ones can also be invaluable in navigating these challenges. Psychotherapy can assist you in identifying some of the factors that contributed to your long-term sense of emptiness (Silva, 2021).
Conclusion
While occasional feelings of emptiness or numbness are normal, they might occasionally last for two weeks or longer. It can be beneficial to acknowledge your feelings and implement some self-care techniques. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can provide the emotional stability needed to address these feelings. Additionally, embracing activities that foster self-awareness, such as journaling or meditation, can guide you toward understanding and fulfilling your emotional needs. Getting expert assistance is also advised. “You deserve to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, regardless of whether you are going through challenging relationships, losses, or a sense of meaninglessness,” Slight stated. Taking proactive steps to nurture yourself reminds you that the potential for light and purpose remains even in moments of darkness.
If life has no meaning or purpose, you can rather give meaning to your life and live “your own life.” According to Nietzsche, people with “slave” morality cannot create anything new. Those people just feel the ‘hateful resentment’ that comes from denying what they do not have and being jealous of those who have master morality. Conversely, adopting a mindset of self-mastery encourages individuals to craft their values and pursue personal growth unapologetically. People with the “master” morality, one in which somebody values their lives, do not care about slaves because they seek their own happiness (Silva, 2021). Ultimately, one can rise above external judgments and live authentically by focusing on self-improvement and intrinsic fulfillment.
In a world where everything repeats like déjà vu and the gears mesh tightly in a relentless, intricate pattern, finding a space to fit in can feel challenging. From the time our distant ancestors first set foot on this ancient land until now, people have been running desperately toward something, seeking purpose and fulfillment. Even at the early dawn, when the morning star glows a bluish hue, restless thoughts linger in my tired eyes, and I am unable to sleep. Sometimes, life feels suddenly empty and monotonous. Yet, reflecting on Nietzsche’s philosophy, we learn that meaning can emerge from acceptance and the will to create our own purpose within the repetition. However, Nietzsche said that in a world that repeats endlessly and seems to lack meaning, only when we accept it as it is and embrace it can we truly love every single moment. By finding joy in the present and appreciating each fleeting experience, life becomes both bearable and beautifully meaningful, even amid its cyclical nature.
References
Group, W.T., 2024. Why am I so bored with life? 5 Reasons You’re Feeling Dissatisfied | WTG. [online] Williamsburgtherapygroup.com. Available at: https://williamsburgtherapygroup.com/blog/why-am-i-so-bored-with-life-5-reasons-youre-feeling-dissatisfied [Accessed 16 November 2024].
Jellis Vaes, 2018. Feeling Empty and Bored with Life? Here’s What You Can Do. [online] The IPS Project. Available at: https://theipsproject.com/2018/01/feeling-empty-and-bored-with-life/ [Accessed 16 November 2024].
Silva, S., 2021. Feeling Empty? Here’s What It Could Mean and How To Stop It. [online] Psych Central. Available at: https://psychcentral.com/blog/stop-feeling-empty#resources [Accessed 16 November 2024].
