‘Meh’, defined as “expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm”, describes perfectly the state of limbo between not being sad but not being happy either. It represents a state of lethargy or emptiness that’s difficult to shake but isn’t so bad that it renders you unable to get out of bed in the same way depression can.
This feeling can stem from anything, from feeling uninspired at work or feeling like you aren’t enough. Mind coach Anna Williamson says that feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of information, be it Instagram, the news or constant requests from your boss can result in a feeling of inner emptiness.
“Burnout is a key cause for this in-between feeling,” Williamson. “We mustn’t be quick to self-diagnose when in actual fact a lot of people just need to make the small tweaks and changes. Reduce time spent on social media and technology, and spend more time with people face-to-face, doing exercise, and getting outdoors.”
This article first appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR UK