As Jean-Paul Sartre said, emptiness often signals a loss of something significant.
There are moments in life when everything seems fine on the outside, but inside, there’s a quiet sense of emptiness gnawing away, leaving us feeling disconnected and numb. This feeling can be overwhelming, especially when we’re alone with our thoughts.
When I experience this, I often ask myself,
“Why do I feel so hollow? What is this hollowness called?“
We all encounter this void at some point in our lives, and it can leave us feeling numb.
During these times, we might start to wonder:
Are we losing our compassion and empathy for others?
In these moments, answers feel elusive. We simply feel blank. We unintentionally become less emotional, less empathetic, and less vulnerable. This feeling isn’t just about sadness; it can occur even when everything seems to be going well.
I’m in one of those phases right now, and many around me tell me that I’m just not appreciating what I have. But they don’t understand that beneath my smile, I’m craving something more – connection, understanding, and a sense of purpose beyond the mundane.
The experience of emptiness is the mind’s way of signaling that something is missing, often pointing us towards a deeper understanding of our needs and desires, said Alice Miller.
This emptiness can affect anyone, regardless of their situation. Unfortunately, our world often (only) prioritizes success. We’re all racing to achieve our goals, chase our dreams, and collect experiences.
But what if we achieve everything and still feel empty?
This realization shows us that no matter what we accomplish, it can’t fill the void inside us. The idea of seeking validation from others and focusing on material possessions is an illusion. We fool ourselves by believing that these things will bring us peace and satisfaction. They actually disconnect us from ourselves and make us feel even more empty.
We wear masks to fit in, display emotions when expected, and suppress our true feelings to maintain peace. Deep down, we bury suppressed emotions like anger, fear, and sadness to maintain a calm appearance. Over time, this suppression creates a barrier between us and our genuine feelings.
It becomes easier to hide our true feelings when we numb ourselves to avoid pain. We use numbness as a protective shield. However, by doing this, we also block out purpose, joy, and connection. This can leave us feeling like something is missing, even when everything seems fine.
Why we feel alone and empty even in a room full of people?
In an era of social media, these phones and laptops make us feel like we are close to each other but we are not — we feel more alone than ever. This illusion of closeness often leaves us feeling lonelier than ever before. We might have hundreds or thousands of friends and followers online, but how many of these people do we truly connect with on a deeper level?
How often do we have real conversations, where we talk about our fears, our dreams, or our inner struggles?
In the end, what we all truly crave is not more likes or followers, but more moments of real connection, where we feel seen, heard, and valued for who we are — beyond the screen.
And it’s not about being physically alone, people don’t make genuine emotional connections with each other. Even, with many people in a room including family and friends, we still feel lonely. Casual interactions can’t fix these feelings. It’s important to have meaningful and deep relationships; otherwise, this feeling won’t go.
Emptiness is not a mere emptiness, but rather fullness in which the distinctiveness of everything is throughly realized.
Masao Abe
Some people have unresolved past traumas that can leave them feeling numb and empty. When we try to protect ourselves from trauma and pain, we build walls around ourselves. Over time, this numbness can set in, and we feel a deep sense of emptiness. Numbness may be a way to cope, but it also prevents us from fully experiencing life.
Sometimes, we become curious and start searching for life’s purpose.
We ask ourselves big questions like:
‘What is the purpose of life?’
The more we try to find answers, the more elusive they seem. This can disconnect us from the world. These thoughts can make us feel empty because we may feel like we’re in a world that doesn’t care.
We feel empty when we experience burnout.
We’re constantly chasing success, and sometimes we push ourselves too hard. Burnout isn’t just physical exhaustion; it drains us from the inside. When we’re burned out, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. This happens to me a lot. I’m busy most of the time, but sometimes I feel like my energy and passion are gone. But then something that can help me come out of that emptiness is spirituality. Spirituality is not necessarily tied to religion; it’s more about finding meaning, purpose, and connection with something greater than yourself. Spirituality can guide you in rediscovering your life’s purpose. When you feel empty, it’s often because you’ve lost touch with what gives your life meaning. Spiritual exploration helps you reconnect with your passions, values, and the things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Spirituality helps you heal from your emotional wounds.
Spirituality often focuses on forgiveness, healing, and releasing past traumas. When we feel empty, unresolved emotional wounds or repressed feelings may be at the root of the void. Spirituality offers a safe space to confront, process, and heal from these emotional scars, leading to a sense of closure and inner peace.
Emptiness is temporary and a universal part of being human. It serves as an opportunity for personal reflection and growth.
Instead of avoiding this feeling, we need to accept it. By doing so, we can open ourselves up to real fulfillment, peace, and connection.
