Hidden Brain cover image

Hidden Brain

Why You Feel Empty

Jun 10, 2024
49:40
Snipd AI
Corey Keyes, a sociologist specializing in emotions and social well-being, explores the often misunderstood feeling of emptiness that affects many. He shares insights into why people may feel unfulfilled despite apparent success and the struggles of new parents navigating societal expectations. Keyes highlights the state of 'languishing,' where individuals grapple with emotional discontent. He emphasizes the power of social connections and pursuing genuine fulfillment over superficial happiness as crucial in combating feelings of emptiness.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Feelings of emptiness often arise despite external successes, highlighting the disconnect between superficial happiness and deeper fulfillment.
  • Navigating experiences like postpartum emptiness reveals the complexity of emotions that defy societal expectations, emphasizing the need for understanding and support.

Deep dives

The Poetry of Perception

Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem about Richard Corey illustrates the disconnect between external success and internal satisfaction. Richard Corey, celebrated for his wealth and charm, ultimately succumbs to despair, revealing the hollowness behind his seemingly perfect life. This poignant story encapsulates a broader phenomenon where individuals, despite possessing all the trappings of happiness, grapple with feelings of emptiness and directionlessness. Such struggles raise questions about the nature of fulfillment and the deeper, often unseen, challenges people face in their quest for meaning.

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