The in-between feeling — understanding languishing

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Over the last year or so many have experienced the pandemic and post-pandemic blues. People have reported feeling “in limbo”, “drained” or even just feeling “meh”.

While these aren’t what many might typically think of as mental health struggles, they are valid and real challenges that are being faced. The word that has been noted globally as the most fitting to summarise that “blah” feeling is the term ‘languishing’.

When we think of mental health, it’s common to think of it in terms of feeling good or feeling bad. Many describe the impact on their mental health with terminology that we have become familiar with, such as “I’m feeling depressed”, or “I’m anxious”. However, the mental health spectrum is more complex than this. You can experience mental health struggles without being able to identify a connection with a known mental health condition.

The mental health ‘in-between’ of the pandemic

First coined by sociologist Corey Keyes, languishing can be considered to be the state between illness and wellness. You don’t feel entirely unwell, but you are not flourishing. Languishing might look like this:

• Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
• Lack of motivation
• Feeling like you are going through the motions
• Tired and sluggish
• A sense of numbness or emptiness
• Feeling as though there’s nothing to look forward to

Some might think this sounds a lot like symptoms of depression, and that’s true. There is a lot of overlap between depression and the experience of languishing, but there are differences too. Depression tends to be more intense feelings that are often accompanied by sadness, appetite changes, a sense of feeling worthless or even thoughts of self-harm.

Remember, if you feel like you are struggling with your mental health and need support, there are plenty of people who understand and can help you get through, as well a range of resources to utilise.

Reasons why people are feeling “drained”

Individuals across many groups have felt their mental health affected at varying degrees over the course of the pandemic. This has continued for many, and may even come and go. There are many reasons why the term languishing may feel relevant to your mental health at the moment:

• Putting life on hold: The plans many had made for holidays, work projects, creative pursuits – you name it, much of it was put on hold or even cancelled.
• Living with uncertainty: For a while now and to varying degrees depending on where you live or work, we have been forced to go through life without really knowing what will be around the corner.
• Changes to life circumstances: Job losses or changes in shifts, relationship changes or moving house.
• Isolation from the world: Many have felt lonely or isolated without their usual routines or social endeavours.

Many Practical Outcomes learners and team members have felt the pandemic impact, which has led to feelings of languishing.

• Learners unable to attend practical placement: Some learners may have been unable to attend the essential placement component of their course as scheduled due to safety restrictions in centres.
• Learners studying from home: Studying from home might be more difficult with more people in your household during the day, more interruptions, or limited access to favourite study spots like the local library. The adjustment can be tricky as you learn the best ways to stay motivated.
• Children not going to school: Learners, trainers and staff at Practical Outcomes have juggled family commitments including home-schooling while working from home or studying from home.

Coping strategies for languishing mental health

While feeling in limbo or unmotivated is not ideal, there are things you can do to cope and enhance your wellbeing and mental health. Here are a few things you can try as you begin to make your way from languishing to flourishing.

Change it up: Routine is great, but sometimes change is necessary to grow. This could be changing around your home office or study space, switching up your exercise routine or even buying a new outfit.

Give yourself a break: No doubt we’ve all spent a lot of time pushing through the pandemic and all its associated challenges. It’s important to allow yourself a break if you need it too. This could be as simple as making sure you log off at the end of the working day. Or taking some time off work/study entirely. You might even consider planning a little getaway.

Find happiness in what you enjoy: Instead of trying to do things to make yourself feel happy, take note of the moments when you do feel joy slipping in. Then, do more of that! In the beginning, it might be as simple as a television series that you feel excited to watch or cooking a favourite meal. Build on it from there, looking into the things that you previously found joy in and continuing on with things that fulfil you.

Talk about it: Whether it’s to family, friends or a professional, talking about your feelings and where your life is at can be a highly effective way to move forward.

Moving from languishing to flourishing

The journey from languishing to flourishing probably won’t happen overnight, but you will get there. To help yourself along the way there are a few things you can try.

If you are in need of mental health support, make sure you reach out. Contact your doctor to organise a mental health plan, or get in touch with these resources:

Lifeline Australia –  Provide access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Website: www.lifeline.org.au Telephone: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue – Provides information, and support for depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
Website: www.beyondblue.org.au Telephone: 1300 224 636

Headspace – Provides young people with information and resources on mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.
Website: www.headspace.org.au Telephone: 1800 650 890

Mindspot – Provides free effective internet delivered psychological assessment and treatment for stress, anxiety, worry, depression, low mood, OCD and trauma (PTSD).
Website: www.mindspot.org.au Telephone: 1800 614 434

Kids Helpline – Provides private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au Telephone: 1800 55 1800

While we all continue to work through the upshot of the pandemic and its impact on many areas of life, our team are here to support our learners. Sometimes a conversation, whether it’s via phone, email, video call or in person, can make a huge difference.

If you need a break or some help with your studies, don’t hesitate to contact us and get that support.