How to know if you’re languishing (and what to do about it)

Mental Health

Jul 9

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

Languishing is that stuck-in-a-fog feeling — and it’s more common than you think. Find out what it is, why it happens, and 10 small shifts to start feeling better now.

Mental health struggles aren’t always obvious to the people experiencing them. Sometimes, you might just feel… stuck. You’re not exactly sad, but you’re not happy either. You’re not falling apart, but you’re definitely not thriving. That feeling is called languishing, and it’s more common than you think.

Basically, languishing is the state of mind between depression and flourishing. It’s that foggy middle ground where life feels muted.

And while languishing might not seem like a big deal, if you ignore it, it can quietly erode your sense of joy and purpose. That’s why it’s so important to understand what languishing is and explore ways to lift the fog and feel more connected to yourself again.

What is languishing?

Languishing is the emotional equivalent of treading water. You’re not drowning, but you’re not moving forward either. You’re just floating, tired, and maybe even a little numb.

On the mental health spectrum, languishing falls somewhere between depression and flourishing — and it can come on so subtly that you don’t even realize it’s happening. If you’re languishing, you might struggle to concentrate or feel “meh” more days than not. You might not be able to remember the last time something excited you, or just have a general feeling of going through the motions without any real sense of meaning.

And because languishing doesn’t always feel like a problem that needs solving, it can be easy to ignore. Don’t. If it’s left unchecked, languishing can lead to deeper mental health challenges over time.

Languishing vs depression, burnout, or anxiety

Languishing may seem similar to depression, burnout, and anxiety, but they’re different in key ways. Here’s how:

Depression: Depression is usually deeper and heavier than languishing. It can include persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of pleasure in everything. You may also feel disconnected from yourself or others in a way that requires clinical care.

Burnout: Typically, burnout comes from chronic stress. It leads to emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Languishing can overlap with burnout, but it’s usually broader, affecting your energy in all areas of life.

Anxiety: Anxiety is often high-energy and fear-based. It can show up as worry, racing thoughts, or a sense of dread. On the other hand, languishing feels flat.

What causes languishing?

Languishing can slowly build, dulling your emotional energy. Here are some reasons why it happens:

Chronic stress: Nonstop work pressure or caregiving can wear down your nervous system.
Disconnection: Not feeling connected to meaning can make your life feel empty or purposeless.
Prolonged uncertainty: Global unrest or personal instability can leave you emotionally worn out.
Lack of novelty: Doing the same thing day after day can cause your brain to check out from boredom.
Isolation: Lack of meaningful interactions can make you feel unseen or untethered.

5 signs you might be languishing

If you’ve been feeling off without knowing why, you could be experiencing languishing. Here are five signs:

You’re coasting: You’re showing up and ticking boxes, but it all feels mechanical. You feel disconnected from any real sense of drive or direction.
Flow feels out of reach: Things you used to lose yourself in, like reading, creating, laughing, and dancing, have lost their appeal. You’re finding it hard to immerse yourself in anything, no matter how meaningful it once felt.
Your motivation has disappeared: Small plans you used to get excited about—like a weekend walk or trying a new recipe—now feel like uphill climbs. It takes more effort, and there’s less satisfaction.
Your emotions feel muted: You’re not experiencing intense sadness necessarily, but you’re also not feeling much else. It’s also harder to feel joy and excitement when things are going well.
Time feels strange: Days feel like they blend together, and you feel like you’re in a fog.

How to cope with languishing: 10 mindful tips to get life back on track

Languishing can make it hard to change things up and rebuild. But all change, no matter how big or small, starts with just one step. That’s all you have to do — one teeny step at a time.

Here are 10 small but meaningful ways to slowly begin moving forward.

1. Name what you’re feeling

Saying “I think I’m languishing” can bring a surprising sense of relief. It creates space between you and the experience.

It tells you that you’re not lazy, broken, or dramatic. You’re just in a tough emotional patch. Naming it gives you power, and it reminds you that this is a state, not a character flaw.

2. Stop chasing “flourishing” for now

When you’re languishing, trying to feel great can backfire. Your goal should be to reconnect with anything that feels nourishing—like a song or a hot shower—not to feel endlessly inspired.

Start with where you are and slowly shift your internal goalposts from “thriving” to “engaged enough to care again.”

Here are 10 ways to reconnect with yourself if you’re feeling off right now.

3. Find tiny pockets of flow

Flow is that magical zone where you’re so absorbed in something that time disappears. You don’t have to lose hours. Just five to 10 minutes of doing something immersive can help to light you up again.

Try cooking a familiar recipe while listening to music or watering your plants, and notice how they’ve changed. You could also play a game on your phone that feels satisfying.

💙 Listening to Flow with Tamara Levitt can help you find yours.

4. Create soft structure in your day

Rigid routines can feel impossible when you’re low on energy, but a little structure helps.

Anchoring yourself with a morning stretch, a mid-day walk around the block, or a journaling session before bed might be just what you need to start feeling more like yourself.

5. Say yes to connection

We tend to isolate when we’re languishing, but connection, even in tiny doses, can be one of the most effective antidotes. Consider sending a “thinking of you” message to someone you love or exchanging a friendly “hello” with your local barista.

6. Give your attention something to hold onto

Refocusing your attention can make you feel more centered.

Try turning off your phone while you eat a meal, reading a book for 10 minutes straight, or even concentrating on one movie instead of flipping between shows.

7. Revisit something you used to love

Get back into a hobby, a place, or a type of music you used to love. It may not be inspiring right away, and that’s okay. Many times, the action leads to the emotion.

8. Move your body gently

Simple, restorative movement can help shift your mental energy, even subtly.

Try stretching in bed before you get up, doing a few yoga poses, or just taking your next phone call while standing.

💙 Get your blood pumping during this Mindful Movement session with Mel Mah.

9. Lower the bar

Good enough is fine. Eat the frozen meal, ignore the dishes, or wear the same sweatshirt two days in a row. You don’t have to be impressive. You just have to be kind to yourself. Here are 10 ways to cultivate more self-kindness in your life.

10. Ask for help

You’re allowed not to be okay. If that’s the case, consider reaching out to a professional to see if they can help you get to the root cause of your emotions.

If asking for help feels too hard, try reaching out to a trusted friend. You could simply start by saying, “Hey, I’m not doing great. Can we talk soon?” or “I’m feeling off lately, and I just need someone to listen.”

Languishing FAQs

How do I know if I’m languishing or just tired?

Tiredness typically has a clear cause—like maybe you didn’t sleep well—and once you rest, the tiredness goes away. On the other hand, languishing persists even after you get some sleep or take time off.

Unlike simple exhaustion, languishing is an emotional and mental dullness that makes everything feel like a chore. If you’re waking up after a full night’s rest and still feeling apathetic or disconnected, you could be languishing.

Is languishing a mental illness?

Languishing isn’t a clinical diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real or important. Languishing is what psychologists call a “subclinical” state. This means that it doesn’t meet the criteria for mental illness, but it’s still a sign that your mental health needs attention.

Languishing is your brain’s version of a check engine light. It’s telling you that something’s off.

What’s the difference between languishing and depression, burnout, or anxiety?

Depression is usually marked by deep sadness, low self-worth, and a noticeable drop in functioning. Burnout, on the other hand, often results from chronic work or caregiving stress. It includes emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced performance. These two states are different from feeling anxious as well. Anxiety is defined by worry, hypervigilance, and a sense of impending doom.

However, languishing is quieter and more ambiguous. You might still be getting things done, but everything feels flat, foggy, and unmotivating. In general, you’re underwhelmed by life.

Is languishing another word for an existential crisis?

Languishing isn’t another word for an existential crisis, but they can overlap. An existential crisis usually involves questioning the meaning of life, your purpose, or your place in the world. It tends to be philosophical and emotionally intense.

On the other hand, languishing is more like emotional white noise. Instead of asking, “What’s the point of it all?” You tend to ask, “Why don’t I care about anything right now?”

That said, languishing can often trigger bigger questions about meaning and direction, especially if it lingers.

How long does languishing last — and will it go away on its own?

Languishing can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your circumstances and support system. Sometimes it can fade on its own, especially if your environment changes or if you start naturally reconnecting with things that bring you energy. But often, it sticks around until you intervene.

If you’d like to stop feeling this way, small shifts in connection, movement, attention, and routine can start to turn the tide. The key is to treat it seriously, even if it feels subtle, because you deserve to feel alive again.

Calm your mind. Change your life.

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.

languishing

Calm Editorial Team