5 Ways to Fight Emotional Emptiness
There are few conditions that are as paralyzing as living with emotional emptiness. While a “vacuum” usually refers to the absence of something, in the psychological dimension it means suffering, discomfort, and immense sadness.
While emotional emptiness is something that’s usually described in terms of a relationship problem, it actually goes far beyond that.
Personal frustrations, pain from a difficult childhood, failure, or even stress and anxiety can certainly lead to this state. It is emotional dissatisfaction that disconnects you completely from your inner “you.”
Today we want to tell you about five ways that you can repair that union. The more you embrace who you really are, the easier you will be able to heal that emotional emptiness.
We encourage you to put these into practice. It’s worth your time.
1. Don’t fear loneliness anymore
An emotional vacuum has a lot to do with feelings of loneliness. In the majority of cases, this is what hurts people the most: they feel alone, misunderstood, and even out of place.
We suggest you also read: How to cure your sadness from day to day
Here are some examples of the close relationship between loneliness and emotional emptiness:
- You’re in a relationship but your partner gives you a deep sense of loneliness, misunderstanding, and unhappiness.
- You feel like you don’t have any support from the people around you.
- You’ve never had a strong and happy bond with your parents or family members.
Any of these personal dynamics can determine whether you are dissatisfied and lonely, combined with a feeling of being lost.
- A way to heal this pain, however, is by reconnecting with your inner “you.”
- Understand that you are the love of your life and that your best company must always be yourself. No one but you better deserves the respect, attention, care, and affection that lie within your own heart.
- Understand that if you don’t learn to enjoy your solitude you will seek what is missing in others.
2. Let go of what hurts you to heal emotional emptiness
- Here we’ll say it again: an emotional “vacuum” doesn’t mean the absence of anything. It is a wound that hasn’t healed, a weight that suffocates you, a burning scar.
- Understand that you’re not lacking anything you don’t already have. You’re a complete person who has all the equipment necessary to pursue your own well-being.
- The only thing you need is to learn how to better connect with yourself and to achieve that, you have to learn to listen.
- Identify what’s bothering you, who is hurting you, what makes you unhappy.
- Become aware of what you don’t like about yourself (your insecurities, fears, obsessions…).
Also read: The dark pain of depression
When you connect with those darker parts of your inner “self,” this will be your first step. Let go of what hurts you and what makes up that emotional void.
3. Turn off the mental noise
Your inner “you” is surrounded by a dense and complex mental noise that prevents you from being free. Your freedom and true essence become walled in.
- That mental noise is made up of “I can’t” and “I wouldn’t dare” or “If I do this I’ll disappoint so many people”…
- Turn off that persistent sound from the swamp and thorns inside you. Become your own priority and regain your freedom, fill yourself with self-esteem, and bring light and security to that emotional vacuum.
4. You don’t need anyone to plant flowers for your soul
We spend half of our lifetimes waiting for someone to fill our emptiness. We want someone who brings flowers to our souls and take us by the hand, guiding us toward happiness and fulfillment.
This romantic image is inadequate and even unhealthy, however. No one is obliged to make you feel full or save you from yourself . It’s you who must save yourself, and take care of yourself.
The best thing you can do is build your own happiness every day of your life. Plant a garden within your own soul and become the person you want to be. This is exactly how you avoid that emotional emptiness.
5. Take care of your physical well-being
You already know that you have to take care of your thoughts and attitude. A positive, realistic, and brave manner of thinking is the best strategy for healing that emotional vacuum.
In addition to caring for your mind, however, you must also take care of your health, your body, and your heart. Take note of these simple tips:
- Sleep for at least eight hours a day.
- Follow the same schedule for food and rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Go for a 30 minute walk every day.
- Practice relaxation techniques, yoga, or hiking.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Start every day with a glass of warm water and lemon.
- Always eat breakfast.
- Eat smaller portions but have five meals per day.
Live in the present, enjoy each meal, every walk. Don’t be obsessed with yesterday or anxious about the future. Right now is all that exists.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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Sha’ked, A., & Rokach, A. (2014). Loss and Loneliness in Close Relationships. Psychology Journal, 11(1).
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Christie, D. E. (2006). The work of loneliness: Solitude, emptiness, and compassion. Anglican theological review.
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Fogarty, T. F. (2000). On emptiness and closeness. Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 35(5).
