I Feel Empty and Lost in Life: How Do I Get Out of It?
Life can sometimes bring on challenges that lead to a general sense of feeling unwell or out of balance. You may even feel this way when everything seems to be going well. If this is the case for you, know that you’re not alone. In these moments, it’s important to use strategies to stabilize your mood, maintain hope and restore balance.
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Why Do We Sometimes Feel This Way?
A general sense of feeling unwell can result from various factors, such as temporary personal difficulties. For example, it may be related to relationship problems, financial pressures, grief, or loss. Another possible cause is a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.
These feelings may also stem from past experiences, including childhood experiences, that continue to affect your well-being today. It’s also possible to feel unwell even when everything seems fine. In many cases, this feeling results from a combination of several factors.
Listening to Your Feelings
If you often find yourself thinking, “I don’t feel well”, or if you’re experiencing a deep sense of distress, the first step is to recognize what you’re feeling. It’s important to listen to listen to your emotions and not minimize them, even when they are negative.
It’s normal to go through temporary periods of discomfort or low mood. However, when these feelings last longer or the distress becomes too intense, they should be taken seriously.
What Are the Signs?
These feelings can show up in different ways:
- Persistent lowered mood
- A sense of disconnection from yourself, others or life
- Loss of interest in your usual activities
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- A feeling of apathy or hopelessness
- Significant distress or a general sense of unease
- Suicidal thoughts
How Can You Feel Better?
- Physical health: Maintain good sleeping habits, practise a form of physical activity you enjoy, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in relaxing activities such as yoga or tai chi.
- Daily routine: Create a to-do list, take part in activities you enjoy, and set realistic daily goals.
- Coping with difficulties: Work on changing how you see situations and how you talk to yourself, explore complementary approaches such as art therapy, and learn to recognize signs that you may need additional support.
- Maintaining positive relationships: Help others through volunteering, take part in activities with people you care about, and consider joining a support group.
- Maintaining hope: Use encouraging words or inspiring phrases, engage in activities that make you feel good, and practise gratitude by appreciating small moments in daily life.
Each person can choose different strategies based on their preferences. It’s important to try several in order to better understand yourself and learn what works best for you. In general, combining strategies from different areas can help maintain better balance over time.
When Should You Be Concerned?
When this feeling becomes part of your daily life, or when its intensity is too great, it’s important to take the situation seriously. You can seek support from organizations, healthcare professionals or by contacting trained counsellors available 24/7.
Another sign to look out for is when you stop doing activities that once brought you pleasure or when your loved ones notice that something is different. This may indicate that something is not right.
When this feeling turns into dark or suicidal thoughts, it’s important not to remain alone and to reach out for help.
What if These Feelings Turn into Suicidal Thoughts?
Take Stock of Your Mental Health
A first step toward feeling better is to understand what may be contributing to your suicidal thoughts.
Take Care of Yourself
Several tools can help you protect yourself and regain balance.
Talk to Your Loved Ones
Talking about how you feel with friends, family or loved ones can help you feel better.
