Skip to main content

Feeling Pretty Blah? You Could Be Languishing

Feeling Pretty Blah? You Could Be Languishing

Image: Unsplash/ Camila Quintero

Been feeling pretty blah lately.

Like in a rut, generally feeling like "I just have to get through this week". 

yeah, but get through to where? There is nothing to look forward to. Week after week, month after month, it's the same. 


Naturally, I scoured the net looking for answers and came across HALT, which stands for: Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired, a quick way to assess your feelings.

Does it help to identify why am I feeling this way?

Nope. Still feeling blah. 

Like this person, Sagarika Sinha, an avid runner, who suddenly lost interest in running. “I'm doing okay. I am not sad or depressed, but there is this feeling of dejection that is looming over me,” she says.

Yup, this feeling. Have you experienced it?

Then I found out that there's a fancy word for this, Languishing ~ feeling somewhat joyless and aimless. 

That's pretty much what I'm feeling. It's like, nothing is wrong but nothing is right either.

You get me?

Apparently, it's because of chronic daily stress that causes emotional exhaustion. 

And according to this article, lack of energy is one of the biggest side-effects of languishing.

I've been complaining about feeling exhausted and drained all the time like why am I so tired. Am I anemic or something?

Why am I feeling meh all the time? could it be because I'm lacking a sense of progress or accomplishment?

Is it pandemic PTSD? But the pandemic is 2 years ago. 

Well, whatever it is, languishing is a rising mental health issue. Although society is starting to open up about mental health, there is still stigma and discomfort around it. 

Sometimes, friends and family aren't too comfortable talking about it. Probably because they don't know what to do, what to say or how to help someone with mental health issue?

Would you be comfortable talking about it with your health care provider? Do you think they will take it seriously?

My past few experiences with GP, although not related to mental health, weren't exactly positive. 

I rarely got sick and when I do end up in a clinic, it's really because I'm actually quite unwell. But I feel like these GPs were just treating physical symptoms, pretty robotic, lacking in empathy and human touch.

Do you agree that most of us prefer a doctor that listens and understands?


Tiber complaint pasal GP sis. 

So anyway, back to languishing. If you are also experiencing the same thing, you must think, "Now what? Is there anything I can do to stop feeling like this?"

Good news is there are a lot of things you can do but the bad news is, they are so very varied and some of the suggestions are anxiety-inducing for an introvert or HSP

I mean, socializing? Volunteering for community activities? Emmm..good intention but I think I'll pass..*breathing heavily*

If you, like me, prefer not to socialize, below are several things you can do to cope with languishing.

Introvert/HSP Guide On How To Cope With Feeling Blah 

1. Journaling

Image: Unsplash/ Ashlyn Ciara

When our mind is all jumbled up, it's difficult to make sense of anything.

Get your thoughts and feelings on paper. It's a great way to "brain-dump" your anxieties, frustrations and pains. 

Judgement-free zone. 

2. Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

Image: Unsplash/ Rifqi Ali

Explore your creativity. Create something. Find new hobbies that allow you to express yourself. 

3. Learn New Skills

Image: Unsplash/ Kelly Sikkema

Learning something new helps you to feel motivated and establish small goals that could build up a sense of accomplishment.

The best thing is, you can do it from the comfort of your home. No socializing is required. Yay. 

4. Vary Your Daily Routine

Image: Unsplash/ Thought Catalog

Being a creature of habit, we like to stick to our daily routine. It's safe, it's comfortable but it keeps us in the rut.

Try varying your daily routine. Make small changes - taking another route to work, altering your reading habits, switching the time of day you go to the gym. 

Do things out of character. Be spontaneous. Really, the list is endless. 

5. Find Small Wins Every Day

Image: Unsplash/ Mi Pham

Honestly, I envy small children who get very excited about small things. This keeps them happy and enthusiastic about life.

Why don't we remind ourselves of this sense of wonder? 

The ability to draw happiness from the little things in life also has a lot to do with gratitude.

Consciously find small things every day that make you happy and excited. It could be the smell of freshly baked goods, the feeling of rain on your face, or taking a nap. 


There you go. 5 tips to help you cope with languishing.

I would love to hear if you have any tips to feel better.

Comments

Others Also Read This!

5 Produk Kurus Di Watsons: Jom Kita Review Bahan- Bahan Yang Terkandung Dalam Produk

5 Produk Kurus Di Watsons: Jom Kita Review Bahan- Bahan Yang Terkandung Dalam Produk   Adakah anda antara orang yang pernah beli produk kurus sebab terpengaruh dengan iklan atau testimoni kawan-kawan? Beli tapi kenapa ya tak kurus-kurus?  Okay takpa sis, kita try pulak produk lain. Produk X ni orang cakap bagus, maka korang pun terpengaruh lepas tu beli lepas tu tak nampak result. Frustrating kan? Badan tak kurus pun, yang kurus tu dompet uols je. Produk kurus memang sentiasa laku sepanjang zaman. Kat mana-mana pun ada jual, banyak sangat kat pasaran.  Tapi macam mana kita nak tau yang mana okay, yang mana tak okay dan bazir duit je nak beli? Ha, kenalah jadi pengguna yang bijak sisturs & brother sekalian. Ambik tahu apa bahan-bahan yang terkandung dalm produk tu, fahami macam mana produk ni membantu untuk menurunkan badan.  Baca:  Kenali Bahan Lazim Yang Terkandung Dalam Produk Kurus Atau Fat Burner Barulah kita tidak senang terpengaruh dengan iklan at...

Porn Puaka Di Gym

Tajuk mengundang kontroversi Sis ni bukan apa rajin pergi gym, selain nak bersenam, iols juga suka mencuci mata. Bukan setakat mencuci mata dengan jantan helok (I'm still hoping sebab gym iols pegi tu SENDUU), sis juga suka melihat gegadis yang fefeeling gedik dengan bermacam fesyen di gym tu. Biasanya gegadis newbie ni macam cendawan. Muncul sekejap di kala azam baru masih utuh yakni di awal tahun atau selepas perayaan di mana memasing nak kurus.  Tunggulah 2 bulan kemudian langsung tak nampak batang hidung ataupun buttcheeks. Eh? Sebenarnya salah satu benda Cik Panda nak cerita pasal butt cheeks. Butt cheeks are absolutely NO NO except at the pool or beach when you are in your swimsuit.  Cik Panda tak jealous la uols sebab Cik Panda tak hingin pun nak ada bontot yang jelly welly tu. ZAssssss So hari tu ada sorang minah ni baru 1st time iols nampak kat gym, tengah workout dengan bopren dia la gitu. Pakai sports bra je dengan really short shorts yang menampakkan ...

Otot Lagi Berat Daripada Lemak?

Otot Lagi Berat Daripada Lemak? Pernah tak korang hadapi situasi macam ni. Bersenam dah all out, membanting tulang dan tenaga di gym. Dalam semangat nak lose weight tu, timbang diri setiap jam, setiap hari! Disebabkan dah berabis workout dan mengamalkan diet rumput rumpai, korang pun expect berat turun kan? Tiba-tiba bila naik atas penimbang tu, berat tak turun pun. Maintain je. Kadang-kadang lagi teruk. BERAT NAIK PULAK!! Bila terjadi perkara macam ni, korang pun berjalan perlahan-lahan ke sudut bilik, dan mengerekot di dalam bilik yang gelap sambil mengenang nasib. Sangat mematahkan semangat, berkecamuk jiwa dan raga. I know. I've been there. CPPS pun pernah mengalami perkara yang sama Workout dah betul, diet pula calorie deficit. You have done everything right but your weight INCREASED! Rasa nak putus asa dan minum racun rumpai. Kemudian ahli keluarga, PT atau kakak cleaner gym dengan penuh rasa kasihan cuba memujuk. "Hey! don't worry. You are gainin...

Bikinication: Project Phuket Part 2

In case you have not read the part 1, click HERE .  So on the 3rd day we went island hopping to Phi Phi Island where the movie "The Beach" featuring Leonardo Dicaprio was filmed.  Bought the package while wandering around Patong Beach but you can get these island hopping packages anywhere in Phuket.  Like many other things in Phuket, you have to bargain. We got our package for 1050 Baht/pax which included transport to and fro hotel, lunch and refreshments, snorkeling equipment and covers Maya Bay (where the filming was), Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Khai Nok Island.  We only stop and got down the boat at Maya Bay, another lagoon i don't know what's the name for snorkeling, Phi Phi Don for lunch and Khai Nok Island.  They picked us up at 7.45am from the hotel and all of us gathered in a place for a briefing. There were 3 boats that day for all of us,  then departed to the jetty which was about 1...

Guide To First Dates For Dummies

Guide To First Dates For Dummies While I'm not exactly an expert in relationships, first dates, and stuff, I've had a few learning experiences and a panel of consultants.  I feel the need to share with you, especially guys, a few do's and don'ts of a first date.  Basically to give you some idea of what girls expect on a first date and to save you from embarrassment and disappointments from not securing a second date.  1. Dress To Impress DO NOT underestimate the power of dressing. You only have one chance at making a good first impression.  You don't have to wear something expensive or trendy. Just something tidy, presentable, smart, or casual. Something you are comfortable in. Jeans, a nice shirt and shoes would be fine.  No short pants, slippers, and ratty t-shirts. If you want to wear shorts, wear them with a shirt (with collar) and shoes instead. Hair should be presentable, facial hairs trimmed and tidy, no bad breath or body odour.  Use cologn...