Unfulfilled
I just don't feel interested in much of anything at all at this point in my life. I don't feel any fulfillment at work despite getting a raise, promotion, and becoming full time. I don't feel any fulfillment in any of my relationships, whether it's my friendships or family, despite spending more time than ever with both. I don't feel fulfillment from any of my hobbies- they all just feel boring and meaningless now. I don't even feel any fulfillment when trying to connect with God (as someone that leans towards being religious.) I've felt this way for months now, and I'm just wondering, is this normal as someone in their early 20s? Like will this lack of feeling for much of anything just go away in a bit? Because life right now just feels so...stressful yet dull no matter what I seem to do. And I have no idea what exactly I'm supposed to do about it.
@ConureConnor
What you're feeling is more common than people admit—especially in your early 20s, when everyone expects you to be thriving, figuring life out, "living your best years." But sometimes, it feels more like you're moving through life with the sound off, even when everything on paper seems fine.
It can feel confusing and even guilt-inducing—"Why am I not happy if everything's going okay?" But here's the thing: fulfillment isn't just about accomplishments or connection—it’s also about alignment. Sometimes, when we’re not living in alignment with who we really are—our values, purpose, or inner voice—it can all start to feel flat and colorless.
And when nothing feels meaningful—not even your faith, not your relationships, not even joy in hobbies—it’s a signal that you might be emotionally or spiritually depleted, not broken. There may be burnout beneath the surface, or grief, or even a deeper sense of disconnection from yourself.
This doesn't make you strange, or lazy, or ungrateful—it makes you human in a hard season.
What to do? Maybe nothing big just yet. Sometimes it's not about fixing, but gently noticing. Keep asking questions like you’re doing now. Let yourself feel dull without judgment. Talk to someone safe. Give yourself space to not have it all figured out.
This phase won’t last forever. But it is asking something from you—not performance or perfection, but presence and honesty. You're not alone in this. And there's a version of you on the other side of this fog who feels life again—and it’ll feel even more vivid because you remember what it was like when it didn’t.
I'm really glad you said this out loud. That matters. You matter.
@beautifulpookieman
Wowww!! This is so clearly stated! I'm so glad I read this today! There's so much to learn from this! Everything that you said, alignment with our values and our inner self! It's highly important! Despite realising that we feel a disconnection with ourselves, we try to force ourselves to figure out everything all at once, as if life depends on getting that one answer right!
Embracing uncertainty with patience and understanding, I feel is one of the most important lessons we in our 20s can learn! As you said, being non judgemental and just observing is important at times! Holding faith that eventually this will pass, it actually does while at the same time, trying to show up to our responsibilities to whatever extent we can is equally important!
Thank youuuuuuuu for this beautiful reminder! ✨✨💎
@beautifulpookieman
Thank you for this reply. It really got me thinking- in a good way. Genuinely, thank you.