We’re said to be connected to everyone around us, but that’s not always what it feels like. What if you feel disconnected? It’s like someone has unplugged you and you’re sitting in the dark corner of a room while everyone’s partying in the middle of it. It sucks. There are various reasons why you could be feeling disconnected from the world around you and your emotions. Here’s a rundown of 15 reasons to explore so you can plug yourself back in and rejoin the party.
1. Your Fear Of Rejection Is Holding You Back.
If you fear getting rejected by others, this puts up a wall that keeps you separated from other people. You might hold yourself back from making new friends or taking an exciting job offer because you’re afraid of failure. You’re cutting ties from everything in your life, which can cause you to be lonely and feeling down.
2. You’re Dealing With Depersonalization.
Depersonalization is a medical disorder in which you feel disconnected from your body. You might also feel like you can’t connect to your emotions and loved ones, or that the world’s behind a glass wall that you can’t fully immerse yourself in. It can be caused by conditions such as extreme stress or depression. Treatment for it includes psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication, and it’s worth seeking if you’re experiencing depersonalization on the regular.
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4. You’re Addicted To Social Media.
Spending a lot of time on social media might make you think you’re connecting with others, but the truth is that it can leave you feeling lonely. Research has found that people who spend a lot of time on social media lack real-life interaction, which has been found to increase wellbeing and lower social isolation. Meet up with your friends in person, for goodness’ sake!
5. You’re Going Through Trauma.
Trauma has a way of making you feel isolated. Maybe you’re dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or you’re grieving the loss of a family member. You might feel that no one understands you, which causes you to self-isolate or feel lonely. By reaching out to others, you’ll surprise yourself by how other people have gone through similar situations and know what it’s like. You don’t have to be alone.
6. You’re Pushing Yourself Too Hard.
If you’re working yourself to the point of exhaustion, such as if you’ve taken on a demanding job, you might be feeling stressed. This can make you feel lonely, but working too hard also isolates you because you don’t have time to connect with others in your life. You’re chained to your desk and don’t have time ’cause you’re too busy, which comes at a huge cost.
7. You’re Feeling Depressed.
Depression is linked to disconnection from the world, other people, and your emotions. You might feel numb as you walk through your life. Although medication and/or therapy can help you to better manage your depression, you can also practice mindfulness and meditation to help you connect to your emotions.
8. You’re In A Toxic Relationship.
If you’re in a toxic relationship, such as if your partner is controlling, you might be making the relationship your entire world and cutting out your other loved ones or your passions in life. Similarly, if your relationship is so consuming that it’s sucking up all your time and energy, you won’t be connected to others or to your dreams that give your life greater meaning.
9. You’re The Odd One Out In Your Social Circle.
When you’re sitting with your friends, do you sometimes feel like you’re the odd one out? Maybe your personality is quite different from your friends’, or you feel like you don’t get excited about the same things that they do, which can make you feel like you’re tagging along with them doing things you don’t even enjoy. When you don’t feel like you belong, it can be unsettling, as though you haven’t found your place in life.
10. You’re Stuck In A Rut.
Maybe you’re going through the motions of your life without actually being excited about it. Maybe you’re in a dead-end job or you’re in a draining relationship that doesn’t satisfy you. You need to jump out of your comfort zone and try something different to inject new life and enthusiasm into your days. Reconnect with yourself and your wants, passions, and desires.
11. Your Life Doesn’t Have Meaning.
Without having a purpose in life, you might feel stranded in an ocean without a direction. You’re just floating around, which might seem fun but it can become something that disconnects you from the world and yourself. You need to stop and take stock of why you’re on this earth and what you need to make your time satisfying.
12. You’re Dealing With Intense Anxiety.
If you regularly feel intense anxiety, you’ll know how it can make you want to close yourself off from the world because anxious feelings can overwhelm you and disrupt your life. Maybe you struggle to maintain conversations with others when you’re in the throes of a panic attack, or you feel scared because you don’t know why you’re experiencing this foreign feeling. Chatting to a therapist can help you get to the root of the anxiety and teach you tools to manage the attacks.
13. Your Negative Thoughts Are On A Loop.
If your head’s filled with negative thoughts that torture you, they can make you feel like you’re lonely/isolated/no one understands you, even if this isn’t the case. It’s wild. Challenging your negative thoughts can help you to reframe your experience. So, for example, instead of thinking, “I’m a failure,” tell yourself, “I’m struggling, but I’m growing and learning.”
14. Your Loved Ones Are Changing.
It’s scary when people around you change. Maybe your friends are getting married and having babies, or your sister’s moving to another country. Maybe your bestie never has time for you anymore because of her new job. People aren’t going to be the same forever, but you have to try to meet them halfway to maintain the relationship. If that doesn’t always work, remember that sometimes when people drift away from you they open you up to new relationships and opportunities.
15. You’ve Packed Up Your Life And Moved.
If you’ve recently moved to another state or country, you might be feeling homesick or disconnected from your life back home. You’re physically disconnected, but you can try to bridge the gap by connecting with loved ones emotionally despite the distance. It’s good to remind yourself that this transition phase isn’t going to last forever. Soon, you’ll be building a new life without feeling like you have to cut ties with your previous one.
16. You Lost Yourself To Love.
You were in an all-consuming relationship that wrapped you up and whisked you away from your life. Now that it’s over, you’re looking around your life and feeling like nothing’s yours or it doesn’t make sense. Getting back into your life can be jarring, but it takes time. It helps to jump back into things you enjoy, such as hobbies and passions, and reaching out to people you love who remind you of the awesome person you are.
