The Reality of Emotional Numbness Most people don’t even realize they’re in it until someone puts it into words. You wake up, go through the motions, handle responsibilities, maybe even accomplish big things, but inside, there’s nothing. No spark, no deep emotion. The things that used to excite you don’t anymore, and the things that should hurt barely register. You laugh, but it’s hollow. You succeed, but it feels empty. Life happens, but you’re watching from a distance. It’s not just exhaustion or a rough patch—it’s emotional shutdown. It happens slowly, the result of years spent suppressing emotions, avoiding pain, and pushing forward without processing life. At first, it feels like self-preservation, but over time, it costs you your ability to truly feel. The truth is, emotional numbness doesn’t just happen. It’s a survival response. Maybe it started with unresolved pain—childhood trauma, heartbreak, rejection, or loss—where shutting down felt safer than feeling everything. Maybe you’ve spent years in survival mode, constantly overwhelmed by stress, pressure, or responsibility, and your nervous system adapted by numbing out. Or maybe you’ve lost yourself entirely, molding your identity to meet expectations, suppressing your real thoughts and emotions until the version of you that exists isn’t even real anymore. Eventually, you don’t just numb the pain—you numb everything. If this resonates, listen to Episode 245 of The Kate Hastings Podcast on Apple iTunes and Spotify.     Phenyx Fit Kate Hastings Podcast  @coachkate1  Mental Health Coach      https://missionmedus.com