The Ambiguity of Languishing

Languishing is characterized as a state of emotional emptiness, often described as feeling half alive or experiencing a void in one’s soul. This experience can manifest as a lack of interest in life activities without the pervasive sadness that defines clinical depression. The podcast highlights the notion that many people who feel they are languishing do not recognize it as a mental health issue and instead may think they're simply unengaged or bored with life. This sensation is distinct from depression, as it lacks the depressive symptoms while still indicating a deeper need for fulfillment and purpose.