Why Does Nothing Feel Good Anymore? 5 Steps to Overcome Mental Exhaustion
These days, nothing feels good to me. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but the feeling persists. Even when I try to focus on my responsibilities, that same sense of emptiness keeps coming back. I don’t even enjoy scrolling through my phone, yet I find myself doing it endlessly. I don’t want to lie down, I don’t want to go outside, and I don't feel like talking to anyone.
Even the things I once loved—tending to my plants, spending time with my fish, listening to music, or cooking—no longer bring me joy. I’ve become irritable and restless. It feels as if my entire life has become like a bay leaf removed from a meal: I am present, yet I feel tasteless and discarded.
What is happening to me? Is it depression? Am I going crazy? If you are facing this right now, please read this—I promise you will find a way through. I am sharing this because I have successfully overcome these situations myself.
I'm Already Crazy or Am I Going Crazy?
Listen to me carefully: You are definitely not going crazy. Even though these feelings are frightening, they are signs of mental exhaustion or depression that many people, including myself, have experienced.
What Does “Nothing Feels Good” Actually Mean?
Let’s break it down. When your hobbies no longer bring joy, when you can’t stop scrolling even though you’re bored, and when being around people feels draining, you are experiencing a mix of emptiness and restlessness.
In psychology, this is known as Anhedonia and Mental Exhaustion. You feel trapped, as if you are tied up with invisible chains. Let’s look deeper into why this happens.
I'm Not Sure If This Is This Depression?
Yes, this is. Not 100%, but it could be a mild to moderate depressive pathway. However, that does not mean you will feel this way forever. This isn't "madness." When someone is truly losing their grip on reality, they usually don’t realize anything is wrong.
The fact that you are asking these questions is a sign of mental awareness. You aren't broken; you just need to feel a little lighter.
Why Do We Scroll When It Doesn’t Feel Good?
Continuously scrolling through your phone despite not enjoying it is called doom-scrolling. This happens because the brain is desperately searching for tiny hits of dopamine—the chemical that makes us feel pleasure.
To break this cycle, keep these things in mind:
- Stop judging yourself: Don't force yourself to put the phone away instantly; that pressure can make you feel worse. Be kind to yourself.
- Realize the illusion: There is no real joy in the phone; it is just an attempt to escape pain.
- Refresh your senses: Splash some cold water on your face, look in the mirror, and give yourself a small smile.
- Take "Micro-Breaks": Every 15 minutes, look out the window at nature or sit calmly for a moment.
- Ground yourself: Try writing in a notebook or walking in a garden.
This isn't laziness; it’s an overloaded nervous system. Taking these small steps will help you regain control.
The "Bay Leaf" Feeling
When you feel like a "bay leaf" in life, it means you’ve started to view yourself as worthless or unnoticed. It is a deep, painful thought, but your value does not depend on who checks on you or who gives you priority.
Your value depends on how you treat yourself. Even though it feels good when others care for us, the most important relationship you have is with yourself.
If these feelings of worthlessness persist, seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Practical Solutions for Right Now
- Don’t force happiness: Accept that "not feeling good" is a temporary state of being unwell, not a personal failure.
- Start very small: Drink enough water, take a short walk, or breathe deeply for five minutes.
- The 10/5 Rule: Spend ten minutes on your phone, then five minutes sitting in silence.
- Speak your truth: Talk to someone for just two minutes. Simply say, “My mind feels a bit heavy today.”
- Connect at work: Have a quick cup of tea with a colleague. Simple conversations help.
- Buy a "Small Joy": Buy yourself something small—a plant, a toy, or a simple accessory.
When to Seek Professional Help
You cannot always be your own doctor. If this condition lasts more than two weeks, if your sleeping or eating habits worsen, or if feelings of self-hatred increase, please visit a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Medication is not a "bad thing"; it often helps balance brain chemistry so you can feel like yourself again. No one will judge you.
I'd like to remind you that you are not alone. You are just very tired—and tired people need rest, not judgment.
When did this feeling start for you? Talking about it makes the burden feel just a little bit lighter.
Read also