Languishing
In a recent New York Times article Organizational Psychologist, Adam Grant wrote about a condition called ‘Languishing’ (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html).
Grant describes this condition: “Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021”. It is not as serious as feeling depressed. Depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness and lack of interest.
The global pandemic has successfully uprooted and dismissed many previously held ‘norms’ and structures of our society. The consequence of this uprooting is a sense of instability, of feeling almost rudderless in an unknown sea and where the shoreline is distant. Our nervous systems are exhausted from trying to navigate our new world. And yet, our nervous systems are masters of survival and protection. So whilst symptoms described below may be perceived negatively, think of them as adaptations. Our nervous system has engaged protect mechanisms that help us cope with a sea of overwhelming change.
Typical Symptoms of Languishing
- Emptiness
- Demotivated
- Lack of focus
- Indifferent
- Stagnation
- Tending towards solitude
- Uninspired
- Apathetic
- Or simply ‘meh’
Whilst you may not feel the need to seek help, it is worth noting that if these symptoms persist there is an increased chance of developing more serious disorders, such as PTSD (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720329955).
How to Counter Symptoms of Languishing
In response to Adam Grant’s article, Dani Blum wrote an article about “Flourishing” (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/well/mind/flourishing-languishing.html?smid=url-share). Many people will have learned lessons from this collective shut-down, but if there’s a common theme it appears to be a desire to re-connect with others. And within this fundamental human desire for connection is a sense of appreciation for life, nature, and ‘small things’ that might have been taken for granted before.
As the word suggests, Flourishing is a sense of doing well, thriving, feeling energized and connected with life, on purpose. Whilst achieving this sense of all-encompassing well-being may seem a stretch too far there is good scientific evidence that doing small activities such as joining a church group, yoga sessions, playing or listening to music, taking up art classes, all contribute to increased feelings of well-being.
Find a small goal to focus on. It may be making an effort to connect with someone you know would appreciate the contact; set yourself a physical challenge (do a pilates class three times a week), or a project (design a workspace, create a special corner of your garden); savour or celebrate the small victories or achievements such as admiring your new workspace, quilt you’ve created for a grandparent; plan a day in nature and make a point of appreciating the outing; find a charity or community you can connect with and support in some way (SPCA, Orphanage, Old Age Home).
Acknowledge your feelings
While it is our culture’s tendency to stigmatize mental problems, we owe it to ourselves to change the discourse. There’s no better time. If you recognize the symptoms of languishing, begin by acknowledging your feelings. In doing so, you shine a light on an area that deserves attention. Languishing is our mind-body’s way of sheltering in place until we feel it is ‘safe’. As this article points out, there are numerous activities available to begin reconnecting with life. You have taken the first step step towards your inherent right to well-being.
If you are struggling to make sense of your situation, you are not alone. Seek connection, ask for help. You owe it to yourself.
