Coping when feeling empty

Feeling empty can feel worrying and confusing, but we’ve got advice to help you cope.

On this page

Why do I feel empty?

Anyone can feel empty from time to time. Sometimes the feeling can pass on its own, and at other times the feeling may last longer.

Feeling empty can seem as though you have no emotions inside of you. It can feel very different to other feelings such as sadness, anxiety, or anger. You might feel disconnected from yourself or other people. This could mean you feel lost and unsure of how to make sense of things.

There can be lots of reasons for feeling empty, and the cause isn’t always obvious. Some examples could include:

Sometimes feeling empty can also be a sign of underlying mental health difficulties, such as depression, but this isn’t always the case.

Ways to cope

If you are feeling empty then it’s important to be kind to yourself, and there are things you can do if you’re struggling.

  • Talk to someone
    It can help to share these feelings with someone you trust. If it feels too difficult to connect with people around you, another option is to talk with a Childline counsellor.
  • Spend time with people or pets
    Even if you don’t feel ready to talk about these feelings, spending some time with others you care about can help you to feel more connected.
  • Keep a journal
    Writing about thoughts and feelings in a journal can help to make sense of things. It can also help you to keep track of feelings over time. Keeping a gratitude diary can help you to feel more connected to the good things you notice during your day.
  • Feel good on social media
    Social media can be a great way to connect with others and we’ve got lots of advice on how to feel good on social media.
  • Take care of yourself
    It’s important to get plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and to eat healthily. We’ve got advice on staying healthy.
  • Boost your mood
    It’s important to make time for yourself to do things that you enjoy. This can include hobbies, sports or anything that helps you to relax. If you need inspiration we have lots of ideas in the Coping Kit.
  • Talk to a doctor
    If you think these feelings could be related to other mental health difficulties you can talk to a GP about getting support. They can also help to refer you to get extra support.