3 Things To Know When You Feel Empty

Written by: Savannah Cheon, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

Do you feel like something is missing from your life? Do you seek constant excitement and feel bored when it is over? Are you trapped in your own routine? Do you feel pressured to constantly keep yourself busy?

Although we have everything to enjoy our lives, there are days or weeks that we feel restless and dwell in the limiting beliefs. It is difficult to smile on those days, and we feel anxious for no reason. Maybe we did not achieve the goals that we planned to achieve. Maybe things did not go well as we planned. Or maybe we are feeling alone, and no one understands what we are going through. We feel that we are not progressing in our lives, although we are taking the necessary steps and don’t know what to focus on.

When we start to feel the hole in ourselves, it is easy to get stuck in that victim mindset where we constantly compare ourselves to others and think that others are doing better than us. The more we are stuck in that mindset, we feel unmotivated, and the limiting beliefs circle back. The important thing to know in that difficult times is that when we feel that life gets us, we can always take control of life back when we choose to shift our beliefs. Only we have the power to change our reality by simply choosing.

But first thing first... Feel Your Pain.

The thing that we have to remember at those times is that “it is okay to not feel okay”. In our society, we are secretly stigmatized for not being okay. Instead of pressuring yourself to fill up your schedule to distract your empty feeling, give yourself the necessary time to rest and do nothing if that suits you. We need those times to recharge. Take this time for yourself to write down and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Feel free to cry out loud or punch the pillows if you wish. Give yourself time to feel your emotions and ask yourself what you need in those moments. You might be up in your head dealing with your negative inner voice, but be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that the feeling that you are going through now is temporary, and simply enjoy the things that you need at the present moment.

Second, Think About Your Passion And Purpose

People tend to feel empty when they do not seem to live purposefully. Although some people have clear visions of what they want in their lives, it is normal for us to not know our purpose in life. There are many resources and tools on how to find your purpose, but it is easier to work on your passion project first before you find your purpose. Was there an activity that you truly enjoyed as a kid? Was there a particular profession that you wanted to do when you were younger? Find those activities in your local community and start your passion if you haven’t already.

We tend to feel the emptiness more when we are focusing on the past events that didn’t go well for us or worry about the future. When we are focusing on what we are doing in the present moment and trusting the process as part of finding our purpose, there will be a shift in our liming beliefs.

Third, when you feel that you are ready to get out of your emptiness, Take Action

After you give yourself plenty of time to express your emotions, it is time for you to take action on your physical and mental wellbeing. If you have the list of things that you wanted to try from Step 2, find a way to start your new passion.

There are 3 additional simple lists that will help you shift from the “victim mindset” to a more positive mindset.

1. De-clutter and clean your surroundings.

When your mental space is messy, it is highly likely that your surroundings are full of clutter also. In that case, organize and clean your surroundings and see how you feel after.

2. Participate in team sports or do a cardio workout.

Most research suggests that cardio exercises release endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood and are proven to reduce anxiety and depression.[1] When you feel that you are stuck in the negative thinking zone, even a 15-minute cardio exercise will help you shift your mindset. If you are more extroverted side, participating in team sports will not only meet the socializing need, but also you will notice a big boost in your overall mood.

3. Change your location

Although it would be perfect for taking a holiday somewhere, even taking a simple day trip to a nearby city will get you into a refreshed mindset. When you are in the transportation to get to the destination, notice how you feel. You will be surprised that the empty feeling is not really there, and you are focusing on the present moment. When you are taking a fresh perspective, it is easier to open up and meet new people and get inspired after.

When you are dealing with emptiness, it really affects your physical and mental wellbeing. No matter how hopeless you feel, you will soon notice that it is temporary. If you are having a hard time overcoming the emptiness, don’t be afraid to seek help. Sometimes someone who simply provides you with a safe space to explore your concerns will help a lot.

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Savannah Cheon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Savannah Cheon is a Whole Person Certified Coach, an alumnus of Harvard University, a CEO of Aurora Luxury Hotel, writer, and blogger. Savannah has been a digital nomad throughout her life. She helps rootless digital nomads and world travelers who left home for adventure and want to find a sense of connection wherever they are. She helps people build a sense of home within them that they can feel secure, create meaningful relationships, have a sense of belonging, and enjoy their lifestyle fully. She is a firm believer of the quote, "Your mind is a powerful place, and what you feed it can affect you in a powerful way," and she incorporates the Whole Person Coaching method and NLP tools to work with the mindset.

References: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/