Does anyone else feel an emptiness that is always there?

Yes, I agree. Volunteering is an excellent way to take your mind off the emptiness. It won't fix it completely, but it will help some. Plus, the best part is, you're helping someone else and contributing to society in a way that most people never do!

Good luck to you

I wonder how many people around me feel the same thing...I just assume they're "normal" but maybe they're thinking I'm normal, God knows I work hard to try to convince the world that I am. I used drugs and alcohol for a long time to fill the void, thought food or relationships would do it. It all works but only for a while. Yes, focusing on others helps but isn't this also just a short-term fix? In ACT, they talk about finding out what your values are and living life doing things that are in accordance with those values.

This is exactly how I feel

I have considered this. Perhaps it is meant to be functional. It's hard to make use of it when it is so paralyzing though.

Religion helped me too...for a while. Then entertainment and briefly a relationship. Therapy was also helpful but I no longer have insurance.

I have found that helping others distracts me for a time but then I feel like a bit of a fraud for helping when I myself am not emotionally strong right now.

I recently started considering reading the rest of the ACT book that my former therapist recommended. Your mention of ACT might be confirmation that I really need to begin taking steps to fill this void in a healthy way.

This really resonated with me as the emptiness kicked up when I became unemployed. My identity tends to be wrapped in my vocation. Wonder how that impacts our feeling of emptiness. I mean it seems sort of culturally induced since our culture always sells the idea that things will fulfill us.

Look into CEN....Childhood Emotional Neglect. There may even be some information on this site which relates to it.

Your comment about your "parents never being there" was the tip off.

Good luck to you!

Yes. I feel that a lot. Even when I'm happy, I often don't feel happy enough. It's like there's always something missing.

I have sometimes felt an enormous emptiness, but it's not a constant for me. That feeling ALWAYS shows up if there is some positive thing that's been objectively missing from my life for too long. I see it as a useful warning signal that a change is truly needed.

It's always there for me. Always. It's a damp moldy dungeon, which holds all my shame, fears, guilt, deep sadness, loneliness...
Though always there, some days the door is closed, or just slightly ajar. Other days, wide open ~~ sucking me in ~~ with such strength. Just know you're not alone.
*big warm friendship hug*
What helps me keep that door closed? Exercise, even if it's just a 30 minute walk; eating healthy; talking to like minded, drama free friends or family; getting rid of toxic relationships.

Oh yeah I've been there and I still am. I really hope you fill your hole I know how much it sucks. I know how to fill my hole but I can't. It's complicated. Anyways good luck.

That's how I feel. Sort of makes me feel ungrateful.

That's a good way to think about it,as a warning or signal that things need to change.

I need to follow your lead with exercise. I've been slacking on that and it generally does help make the feeling more manageable.

Thank you,good luck to you too!

I had trouble considering this because I knew it would mean work as a former therapist said she believed I might have suffered from CEN. Last night I chose to look it up and everything sounded familiar.

I currently live with my parents and just last night I caught the tail end of a conversation wherein my mother was badmouthing me to a friend of hers on the phone. She likely assumed that I was asleep. I cannot tell you the sacrifices I've made for my mom throughout my life or the strains that those sacrifices have put on my romantic relationships,finances, mental health etc. I knew she was manipulative but I didn't think it was to this degree. My father I've already seen in action.

I realize now where this emptiness may have started as I read my old diaries and read of the many many times that I took care of my parents instead of them taking care of me.