Are You Languishing? The Feeling of “Blah”

u003cdiv class=u0022jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-coloru0022 data-block=u0022trueu0022 data-editor=u00222dd2tu0022 data-offset-key=u00224mn58-0-0u0022u003enu003cdiv class=u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltru0022 data-offset-key=u00224mn58-0-0u0022u003enu003ch2u003eWhat is Languishing?u003c/h2u003enu003cpu003eLanguishing refers to stagnation and emptiness, leading to a feelings of despair. Also, it defines as the u003cstrongu003ecounter-opposite of flourishingu003c/strongu003e. Experts characterize languishing as a lack of engagement, dissatisfaction, and apathy (sometimes referred to as u0022meh.u0022 Scientifically speaking, of course).u003c/pu003enu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-29258 size-mediumu0022 src=u0022https://confidecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/flourish-poppies-sunrise-300x201.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022201u0022 /u003e Flourishing is the opposite of languishing.u003cpu003eIt’s not a health condition like depression or anxiety. It's a kind of state where people find themselves stuck. Though languishers don't show any signs of specific mental health illnesses, they are unable to thrive either. Languishers just go with the flow throughout the day. They might have the energy to complete their task, but they don't find enjoyment in their work.u003c/pu003enu003ch2u003e u003c/h2u003enu003ch2u003eWhy has languishing gotten worse during the Pandemic?u003c/h2u003enu003cpu003eMany more people have been languishing since the COVID pandemic. But why is it happening? Why has COVID increased feelings of languishing?u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eYour brain is only conditioned to function effectively under stress for a few days, such as working to meet a deadline at the office. But when you get exposed to daily anxiety, it leads to chronic stress, causing your body to break down. As a result, you become emotionally exhausted.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eGoing through excessive stress regularly can be harmful to your wellness. During the last few years, COVID has caused people to be worn down by fear of illness, uncertainty, and grief. Unfortunately, distance from loved ones and feelings of loneliness and isolation also have increased the problems. All these stressors during the pandemic have led people to a state of languishing.u003c/pu003enu003ca href=u0022https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.htmlu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-29265 size-fullu0022 src=u0022https://confidecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Adam_Grant_-_Picture_by_Jamey_Stillings.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022320u0022 height=u0022320u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e Wharton Organizational Psychologist Adam Grant highlighted u0022languishingu0022 as what people were feeling during the COVID Pandemic in this NY Times piece (click on photo).u003cpu003eWe also have seen people dying, getting sick, losing their jobs, and failing to make a plan for the future. This has also led people to suffer from a COVID post-traumatic stress disorder. Since the COVID restrictions have lifted and many people have started to live a u0022normal life,u0022 people will get the space to process everything that has happened during the pandemic that they weren't able to acknowledge through the stress.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eSo, it might be the time to feel joy, gratitude, and enthusiasm about the end of the pandemic. However, you might have already developed a feeling of languishing that could prevent you from flourishing in your life.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu0026nbsp;u003c/pu003enu003ch2u003eHow to Know You May be Languishingu003c/h2u003enu003cpu003eIdentifying languishing is a bit difficult. Here are the signs of languishing at work.u003c/pu003enu003culu003enu003cliu003eFeeling irritated, sad, or confused.u003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFeeling dissociated or disconnected from your coworkersu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eInability to feel excited about any upcoming projectsu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eCynicism about your colleagues, career, or leadersu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eDifficulty remembering or focusingu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eLack of motivation or procrastination to complete assignmentsu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eExperiencing u0022Sunday Scariesu0022u003c/liu003enu003cliu003eIncreasingly stressed with worku003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cpu003eYou will also notice symptoms of languishing in your personal life. This includes:u003c/pu003enu003culu003enu003cliu003eInability to make people understand your feelingsu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eA sense of existential crisis or emptinessu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eEngaging in inflammatory or risky behaviors to try to avoid the “meh” feelingu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eUnable to feel healthy even though you don’t have any illness or sicknessu003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFeeling as if there is no exciting or joyful thing to look forward tou003c/liu003enu003cliu003eFeeling as if you are struggling with an existential crisisu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cpu003eu0026nbsp;u003c/pu003enu003ch2u003eHow to Get Back to Flourishingu003c/h2u003enu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-29273 size-fullu0022 src=u0022https://confidecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/journaling-woman.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022320u0022 height=u0022213u0022 /u003e Journaling is a great way to get back to flourishing.u003cpu003eIf you feel that you are languishing, then don’t get hard on yourselfu002du002dmillions of others across the globe are going through the same thing. You can practice some ways to improve your life. Start caring for your healthu002du002deat healthy foods, exercise, get good sleep, and connect with friends and family.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eAlso, u003ca href=u0022https://confidecoaching.com/what-is-active-listening-and-how-to-apply-it/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003elistenu003c/au003e to your inner voice. If your body tells you that you need rest, then try to rest your body. Another good technique to overcome languishing is journaling. Write all the things you have that you feel gratitude for. u003ca href=u0022https://confidecoaching.com/how-to-write-a-gratitude-journal/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eJournalingu003c/au003e every morning or evening can help you focus on the good side of your life.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eLastly, start making plans for the future and slowly works towards them. The world is changing, and if you want to thrive in it, you need to prepare yourself for it.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu0026nbsp;u003c/pu003enu003ch2u003eBottom Lineu003c/h2u003enu003cpu003eIn a nutshell, languishing is something a great portion of the population has been increasingly suffering from due to the pandemic. Though it impacts both your personal and professional life, practicing simple things can help you get reduce it. Just don’t beat yourself up, and care for your well-being. Give yourself some time and patience and grieve about things that might have impacted your mental health in the last few years.u003c/pu003enu003c/divu003enu003c/divu003enu003cdiv class=u0022jwLWP _2hXa7 _2Dym_ blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-coloru0022 data-block=u0022trueu0022 data-editor=u00222dd2tu0022 data-offset-key=u002271u0t-0-0u0022u003enu003cdiv data-offset-key=u002271u0t-0-0u0022u003e u003c/divu003enu003cdiv class=u0022public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltru0022 data-offset-key=u002271u0t-0-0u0022u003eu003cemu003ep.s. - Feeling u0022mehu0022 or languishing? Book a u003ca href=u0022https://confidecoaching.satoriapp.com/booku0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopener noreferreru0022u003efree trial sessionu003c/au003e and we'll see if we're a fit for working together.u003c/emu003eu003c/divu003enu003c/divu003e