Languishing
A mental condition
Today, I read an interesting article on mental health, about languishing. It is not a term I would have thought of while discussing mental health issues. Most often these days, people when asked how they are would reply: “I am okay or am fine”. Very mild, dismissive, and tepid, with little emotion. Largely it is on text. Would that be the very definition of languishing? Languishing is defined as the middle part of the spectrum, right between flourishing and depression. I would say the “whatever” side of our emotional spectrum, the bit that shows indifference.
We expect our teenagers to respond with this very unemotional ‘Yea am good’, which perhaps to them once upon a time sounded very cool. Especially more for boys, no smile, just a gruff “Yea good thank you”. Nowadays, with young people facing mental despair, it is perhaps important for us to read in between the lines. In fact, it goes for all of us. I am by nature an introvert and not much of a talker, but an articulate conversationalist of things that matter. But there comes a point where an inability to truly express oneself becomes incapacitating. Bottling of feelings can no longer become the norm. Mental health matters, conversations about mental well-being absolutely matters. We matter!
As a fresh psychologist, I can detect the changes in people’s expressions; I perhaps have become more in tune with people at large. Even on text, it becomes easier to read emotions, or indifference, or hurt. Largely, people are suffering in silence, not wanting to be seen as victims. I truly hope that we can all reach out to one another in genuine compassion and love. It is important for us all to be feel comfort in people we truly trust.
2020 was the wrecking ball, which forced us to face our inner demons. From there on it is the era of reckoning and hopefully stronger growth for the better us. I dedicate this short piece to my loved ones and to all my readers who are silently suffering. Keep reaching out to one another, keep the conversation going. Keep laughing and keep healing. We shall become better once this is all over.
