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Why do I feel so empty?

108 Answers
Last Updated: 09/08/2020 at 8:37pm
Why do I feel so empty?
1 Tip to Feel Better
Greece
Moderated by

Johanna Liasides, MSc, PhDc

Psychologist

I work with youth and young adults to help them improve depressive symptoms and self-esteem as well as effectively address family, relationship and peer conflicts.

Top Rated Answers
OvercomeDespair857
November 5th, 2015 5:21am
I also can relate to this question way too much. I feel empty. I can't describe to you my true emotions, ever. It's not what I'd call a good thing. I wish I could distinguish my feelings and emotions like most people. But I just can't. Perhaps it's cause I'm an introvert? I don't know. Why can't I feel alive, rather than empty? It's not fair. I know saying that makes me selfish, but I am so tired of feeling this way. I look at people around me and they look so alive, even in their eyes and I think to myself "God, why can't I feel and look like that all the time?" What am I doing wrong..? I never asked to feel or be this way...
demonhunterkaz2y5
November 20th, 2015 10:39pm
People can feel 'empty' for many reasons. The most common of these reasons is that they have been so emotionally distressed for so long that their minds long to stop feeling, and they do, which is an experience that can never be understood by anyone who has not experienced it.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2015 9:49am
people generally feel empty when they don't have any motive to do things or when they don't have people on whom they can trust on or count on.
Brok3nHeart
August 21st, 2015 11:12pm
Because you have CONVINCED yourself that all the negative thoughts in you're head are true. It is a combination of overthinking and giving up. You are not alone, never give up.
Anonymous
August 21st, 2015 5:54pm
Sometimes, our minds create a natural defense against pain. Sometimes, that defense is emotional numbness (or emptiness). It's not wrong to feel empty. It's just something that you have to work through. Joining with your therapist or counselor can be very helpful in battling this challenge, as you often will need to remind yourself of why your mind is reacting with this shield. It can be helpful to surround yourself with things that make you feel good or happy. Where is your fuzziest stuffed animal? What's your favorite song? Sometimes it's good to spoil yourself with positive things while you work through the emotional numbness. Replacing the negative emotions associated with your empty feeling with positive emotions produced by doing what makes you feel good can be super helpful in the process of reversing the numbness.
Ewurabena25
September 25th, 2015 1:03pm
I am not really sure who I am still and I haven't found confidence in myself yet. Which means i keep comparing myself to others and looking for validation in external places which always leaves me feeling a little hollow inside
AngelSkyLovelySnowflake
November 14th, 2015 9:29pm
we feel so empty because our hearts need to be fed with love. We want to be loved by others and to love. Just like the saying "I don't need a lot of stuff, I just want to love
ocean21
September 9th, 2015 5:21pm
First of all there is nothing wrong with you. Empty is not a feeling, it is a thought or idea you have of what empty is like. Under all of who you think you are is a hurting little person who needs to be heard. You need to feel your true feelings of anger, sadness, grief, and hurt. Your are running and the perfect life is not working for you because you have been hiding from all the stuff you wish you could release, and the good news is that you can. But only you can do it. Look up grief work on the computer and it will explain it to you. You will find joy, only when you do the work.
T0fflan
September 17th, 2015 1:45pm
In my experience emptimess may come from being at a standstill in your life. It's almost a basic need to be able to feel yourself moving forwards in life, to accomplish things. So I would suggest to just do something new. Try to say yes where you'd normally say no, within reason of course. Try out a new activity. Try to become better at an old activity. Of course, that's not the only possible reason for feeling empty. But it is a legit one, that a lot of people might not think about sometimes.
ash420blazeit
September 2nd, 2015 10:44pm
Everybody goes through times like these. You just 'feel' empty, you aren't. It's all in your head and you need to remember that. You're going to get through this.
IntriguingMint
August 20th, 2015 12:31pm
Feelings of emptiness can come from a lot of different emotions, but basically they're a signal that you need more connection in your life. That can mean connection to other people, or to a hobby or activity you enjoy doing. Everyone feels empty sometimes, and the best thing to do is to have compassion for yourself when you feel this way.
Anonymous
September 29th, 2015 6:55am
People can feel empty when they are overwhelmed by many strong emotions. Emptiness and apathy can be a symptom of a mental illness such as depression if it lasts for a long time.
Anonymous
September 16th, 2015 3:05pm
Don't worry. Maybe u don't talk to many people. Here, u can share all ur thoughts with me. I'm listening
chanelellierhea5
October 28th, 2015 5:13pm
Many people feel empty inside. I believe there is only one cause of inner emptiness and that is lack of love. But it's not somebody else's lack of love that makes you feel empty, not loving yourself is causing this emptiness. When you abandon yourself by judging yourself, ignoring your feelings, numbing your feelings, or making others responsible for your feelings, you are causing your emptiness. When you learn to love yourself and accept yourself for who you are, you will begin to fill this emptiness.
paperbunni
August 24th, 2015 6:13am
Depression is like a leak or a hole. It slowly drains everything out of you; sadness, joy, anger- just everything. Left unpatched, it just gets worse. It's terrible because even things we're passionate about can seem dull, and it's in the midst depression that we need things we love the most. Be patient with yourself, the hollowness tends to come in waves. With effort and perseverance, better days will come back filled with yet to come. ^-^
Eliise
November 22nd, 2015 11:15pm
I feel empty because I can't find a reason. There is no reason for waking, walking, talking or working while such things happen in the world.
Anonymous - Expert in Depression
August 19th, 2015 8:30am
It may be your mind's way of coping with difficult emotions - instead of dealing with it, your body shuts down and completely stops you from feeling anything at all. A good way to get yourself feeling again is to write regularly in a journal and talk to someone about it.
Anonymous
August 19th, 2015 12:30pm
I feel empty because I have been feeling really Down and suicidal, which aren't so fun. And I also want to be happier
Anonymous
September 13th, 2015 1:44pm
From personal experience I've seen that I feel empty when I seek validation from others. Lack of confidence in myself makes me feel hollow. I feel unloved, and therefore sad and empty.
CherryChocolate
May 24th, 2017 9:09pm
Hi. I don't know what emptiness you feel and what your case is exactly, but I can relate to some extent and maybe it will help. From time to time I come to realize that I feel empty inside or in other words ''dead'' inside, it's a strong word and I know many people have it worse, but it just seems to describe it, as everything feels pointless, I don't seem to be TRULY motivated for anything, eventually everything starts to seem sad and hopeless. Of course I do have interests and people I love and I find things to occupy/distract myself with whether it be dumb things like food, games and tv-shows or more fulfilling and meaningful things like reading, learning, creating something or communicating with good people. Now I am thankfully well and hope you are too. But sometimes I tend to get anxious and self-sabotage myself back to the states of rumination and intrusive thoughts that plagued my life for several years now. Sometimes I think that if I wouldn't feel pointless and would have a meaningful positive focus in my life, there wouldn't be place for scary made-up thoughts in my mind. Anyway, sorry for such a long story, here is an article I found alongside your question, by googling ''what to do if you feel empty inside'' )) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margaret-paul-phd/inner-emptiness_b_869421.html# It seems to have some truth. Take care and speak to people!
Anonymous
October 22nd, 2015 8:13pm
Sometimes people or even you drain yourself. You have to take time to distance yourself and "refuel". It's normal for people to feel empty especially if they're depressed. In my experience struggling to recover can empty you of energy.
InGam93
September 18th, 2015 12:55pm
Sometimes the feeling of nothigness is a sign of alarm that tells you that your life needs a change of prespective.
DanielRiot
October 25th, 2015 11:36pm
you see the negative side of things. there are good things too. you can feel lost and empty but to be honest you are not. you do have friends and people there for you. even if they are only online. feelings come and go but you last forever in the harts of many.
incarnadinepetals
December 5th, 2015 9:10pm
I do not know the answer to this question, but I do know if you surround yourself with positive, open-minded people that empty feeling might go away. Get a pet if you like them, go out and explore the world, go hiking with a friend, go eat breakfast with a friend--surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good. This is important for anyone's well being.
JuneR
August 20th, 2015 12:04pm
Feeling empty means life has no meaning. And that you're missing , something inice of you is gone.
otakugreys838
November 18th, 2015 8:25pm
Empty or also known as blank. Well, in my point of view, people do feel empty in them because they can't find their purposes in life. They tend to let go off everything and wanting to be somewhere quiet and alone. People tend to feel this way because they don't see things are important anymore in their life. So they just feel really empty without love, kindness, care, devotion of other people to fill in the emptiness inside them. The emptiness eventually eating them alive internal and mentally gradually.
Freebirdie
August 30th, 2015 7:10am
Emptiness is a feeling in which you don't find any reason to go on-Motivation. For that you need to have a teeny tiny more hope that tomorrow is better and one day you will not feel this way. Try to plan your day.EVEN IF IT FAILS. But planning your day will help you look up to the next day and help you find some motivation. And the plans will fail but don't lose hope. I know you are strong enough to carry on and one day you will fill your emptiness with awesome things :) All the best and I hope you don't feel this way.
heavenlyEagle22
August 21st, 2015 10:18pm
Feeling empty sometimes comes when you are unable to fill a certain void within yourself, where you can feel motivated or inspired to do something, or just get out of bed in the morning. its sad to feel empty because its not very easy to find something that completes you.
SarahF
September 3rd, 2015 1:03pm
Perhaps you subconsciously are trying to stop yourself from feeling because you've been hurt in the past.
zaix
October 25th, 2015 3:21am
Empty feelings can be caused by a variety of things, mostly by loneliness, depression or breakups..