Languishing is one of the most challenging mental health issues we are seeing grow at an unacceptable rate in our world. It is a sign of us being disconnected from life and some would say that the person starts to “just go through the motions” of living but is not truly living their life.
My goal is to help people to discover their purpose and live with passion. If someone is at the point of languishing they can not even imagine or sometimes comprehend the thought of a life with purpose. They are just trying to get through today.
Meeting someone where they are at is the most important aspect of the work I do and when someone comes to me at this point my goal is to move them from just surviving to living their life. The rest comes from that growth.
Even though there has been much discussion on languishing since 2020 I want to talk a bit more about it and some of the signs that people can look for and take a broader view of mental health in the world we live in.
There are three key emotions that have been infiltrating our lives more and more: languishing, depression, and burnout. These are common states of emotional struggle that many of us grapple with, and while they might seem similar on the surface, each one has its unique causes and levels of seriousness. Let’s take a look at each of them and how they can show up in our lives.
Despite the shared symptoms like feeling exhausted, unable to focus, and losing hope for the future, each of these emotional states has its own story.
First up, we have burnout, which is a feeling that usually stems from our work life. It’s like a signal that your work-life balance is out of whack or that you’re doing a job that doesn’t align with your values and skills. A lot of the clients I work with find themselves in this category. They are doing work that may be paying the bills or giving them some career satisfaction but overall they know there is more out there for them.
Languishing, on the other hand, casts a much broader shadow. It affects all areas of your life and, interestingly, doesn’t quite fit the criteria of a full-blown mental health disorder. People who are languishing feel like they’re missing some vital spark and the kind of optimism that usually comes with good well-being.
What makes it even trickier is that it can come and go over a few days or weeks, but it becomes a real concern when someone gets stuck in that feeling and can’t find their way out without some support. The person just doesn’t feel like they are connected to life, to others, or to anything bigger than themselves.
Depression, however, is a whole different matter. It’s a clinical condition that goes beyond mere feelings and infiltrates every aspect of life. It’s not something that just comes and goes; it sticks around and can only be diagnosed when it lasts for at least six tough months. Recovering from depression requires professional help, and it’s not something you can tackle on your own. Keep in mind we are talking about diagnosed depression which is a medical diagnosis (To receive a diagnosis of depression, you must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least two weeks.)
What’s even more fascinating is that languishing and burnout can be stepping stones towards depression. These emotions can pave the way for the emergence of anxiety disorders and deeper depressive states. Understanding these emotions and their differences is crucial for navigating our emotional lives, recognizing the signs, and being there for those who might be struggling.
By shining a light on these emotions, we can start our journey toward resilience and emotional well-being in the face of these tough challenges.
That can also lead us to a state of Flourishing.
As we look at these two sides of the mental health coin we can look at it this way. On one side, there is languishing – feeling disconnected and disillusioned. But on the other side, there is this amazing state called flourishing. When you’re flourishing, life is like a beautiful melody, full of engagement and joy. It’s not just about having energy; it’s about feeling confident in your ability to handle whatever life throws your way.
Imagine waking up every day, excited about your goals, deeply connected to your passions, and relishing every little victory, whether you’re soaring high or facing challenges. That’s what flourishing is all about, according to Dr. Lynn Soots. It’s “living authentically, finding happiness in the pursuit of your dreams, and celebrating your accomplishments, big or small. In this state, life isn’t just lived; it’s embraced, enjoyed, and cherished.”
There are many paths to get from languishing to flourishing. The three connections are a way to look at what path is going to work for you. The three connections are the connection to self, the connection to others, and the connection to something bigger than yourself. That can be God, Spirit, Universe, Nature. There are many names and it is what is important to you and how you chose to connect.
Each person as an individual will have their own journey to get to positive mental health and living their life of purpose and passion. It can begin by finding someone who can guide you in the direction that will best help you find your path.
We can all start today by simply getting out into nature and enjoying a deep breath of fresh air. Call up or stop by and visit with family or friends for a quick chat or a long conversation that may be overdue.
Enjoy life moment by moment. They add up and become our lives.
