Have you ever experienced that complete and utter feeling of hopelessness? Have you ever felt at odds or completely detached? Life can certainly leave us feeling an array of emotions with each negative encounter, loss, and challenge that we face. Sometimes, we may lack clarity and a comprehensive understanding of life itself. You may be even asking yourself: “What is the meaning of life?” and “Why do I feel so damn lonely in a world brimming with people?”
For the individual experiencing hopelessness, the onset maybe fleeting, or it may be a chronic issue that plagues the mind of the individual. You may have even experienced these feelings multiple times in the past. While hopelessness is not always comprised of doom and gloom, in many unfortunate cases, the doom and gloom are known to consume the person experiencing these profound feelings.
Hopelessness can appear in a variety of shades, lending many different perspectives on what it means to experience such a difficult time. Hopelessness is derived from our sense
of isolation, loneliness, and despair. It may be linked to a difficult situation, environment, or a particular set of events occurring in one’s life. Research has proven that many medications and our own mental health conditions can prove a catalyst for such times. Yet, not all experiencing hopelessness are facing an acute or chronic mental health condition, but rather, they may be facing a momentary setback that is causing them temporary distress, discouragement or dissatisfaction.
What is hopelessness? Hopelessness is that inability to find meaning, purpose or drive. No matter what you do, you are consumed by an unmistakable state of depression and despondency. You may even feel as though you no longer have a sense of meaning or significance in this world. Life and the experiences therein, may feel robotic and mechanically unsound. For many, it’s at this particular stage that you may have lost hope and a desire to live life.
We may feel alone, abandoned and completely isolated from the world. These raw emotions may stem from real life issues such as: the loss of a significant relationship, a chronic health condition, financial distress, monetary setbacks, global unrest, and the overall uncertainty about tomorrow. For many, life simply looses its luster.
This feeling of hopelessness begins to consume the very you, within you. Every minute may feel like an hour and every day may feel like an eternity. In the end, hopelessness is that feeling of separation and an inability to connect. To connect with life and to connect with others. During the pandemic, there were many who became chronically depressed, discouraged, and despondent. Life no longer had meaning or joy.
We often feel hopeless when life simply no longer adds up. When we lose that satisfaction of living life. In fact, you maybe incapable of pinpointing exactly what is missing, but there is something amiss about your void. The GOOD NEWS is, there is HOPE for your tomorrow. Life can once again have meaning, purpose, and be filled with a yearning to live. Your tomorrow does not have to be spent lying despondently in bed. Your life no longer has to feel bleak and without meaning. It’s definitely not easy when life presents you with such challenges. Whether these challenges are directly or indirectly
experienced, they can leave an individual with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
What can be done to improve my perspective and to eliminate my sense of hopelessness? My professional bias would be to recommend the advice of a trained professional, but I’d never deny that a trusted confidant and friend may prove affective.
Please remember that the feelings that you are experiencing are normal. Do not be at odds with your feelings or the need to acquire professional services. Consider using one or all of the following strategies, they may help you on your journey towards health:
- active breathing exercises: establish a daily routine of deep and conscious breathing
- guided meditation: consider reading, listening and practicing
- practice mindfulness: mindfulness is a cognitive skill of being conscious and completely aware of our thoughts, feelings, surroundings, and person
- affirmations: writing or reading daily affirmations
- journaling: consider a daily routine of journaling — be certain to write a few positive aspects along the way.
- self-awareness approaches: become intimately and cognitively aware of your feelings and emotions
- triggers: be certain to acknowledge your triggers as they are an essential part of the recovery process
- boundaries: healthy boundaries are an essential part of each and every relationship
- goal setting: setting small and achievable goals
- cognitive restructuring or reframing of events and situations occurring in your life
- daily walks, routines and physical exercise.
Naturally, feelings of hopelessness and despair can prove debilitating, but know that there is hope and that you can achieve a place of health and balance. Please understand that we have all had moments of discouragement, dissatisfaction, and disillusionment. Do not allow the circumstances of your day to define your meaning. Remember that such feelings are a normal aspect of life and there is nothing to fear. There are a number of therapeutic tools that can be acquired and they can help in your pursuit of happiness, balance and a more fulfilled life. Please note that trained mental professionals can help you to achieve balance, a renewed perspective, and to restore your hope.
*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA
Thank you for your post. Although I find my life hopeful, I admit that I’ve occasionally found myself struggling to find meaning or value in what I do or wondering if I’m just kidding myself with some of my life goals. I admit I like to dream big. Those moments are enough to dishearten anyone, even the most passionate person. I like your list of recommendations to handle those moments, but most of all your reminder that times like those will pass. The sun will always shine after the storm. 🙂