The rise of languishing
A client had told me about a term today, languishing, a term I have not come across. Languishing, is an emotional state of emptiness restlessness and not knowing where you are going in life. It is characterized by low motivation and low mood, without knowing reasons behind it. Languishing holds us back from reaching our full potential due to the persistent lack of motivation.
With the effects of the COVID pandemic, it has made many people feel lonely, unmotivated, stuck, anxious and depressed, which is why languishing is more prevalent. Restrictions and safety measures have prevented us from doing what we used to take for granted, such as meeting a friend, going out for a meal, flying overseas to visit family. The world we once know has changed and it has made everything more difficult to grasp. I get it, we all are feeling fed up and hopeless and wondering when we can all go back to the world we once knew. I would encourage you to hang in there and don’t give up hope. We will get through this stronger together and in time (and a lot of patience) we will make it through to the other side and be able to reunite with our loved ones and friends without fear.
It is very difficult to pull yourself out of an unmotivated and restless state, but here are some tips for you. Reconnect with WHY, specifically the reasons behind why you do what you do or what you want to do. Figure out HOW you can change your current situation or how you can get to what you want to do, what are the steps involved? How much time and energy can you set aside in a day or a week?
Aside from that, identify what are some of the things that you have control over, and some things you feel grateful for. The COVID pandemic has taken our sense of control, our connections and for some, our purpose. So look for things that you can take charge of, things you can do that you know are good for you mentally and physically. Search for meaning in your daily routine, set aside time to explore your interests or a book or a subject that you’ve always wanted to explore (if you had the time). Now is the time to dig deep and explore who you are and who you can be. Nothing will change unless you take action, so go ahead and take the first step.
Remember, take it one day at a time, you can always start fresh tomorrow when the sun rises :) Hang in there.