Waking Up from Numbness: How to Feel Again
For a long time, I thought being numb meant I was protecting myself. I told myself I was “fine,” that I was managing, surviving, doing what I had to do to keep going. But what I’ve learned is that numbing isn’t living — it’s just existing in the in-between. I’ve been numbing in my own way for years, and now I’m learning how to live, feel, and exist in a world that sometimes feels too heavy to hold. This post isn’t just advice — it’s a reflection of where I’ve been and the work I’m still doing to come home to myself.
Why We Go Numb
People go numb for a reason — sometimes it’s the only way to survive. I know what it feels like to shut everything off because the alternative is too painful.
For some of us, numbness becomes our normal.
We keep moving, creating, showing up for others — all while disconnected from ourselves.
Numbness can come from:
Trauma or loss – The brain protects us by turning the volume down on pain.
Overwhelm – Life demands so much, and it can feel safer to just go quiet inside.
Fear – We don’t want to feel rejected, misunderstood, or too much.
Mental health struggles – Depression, anxiety, or PTSD can make us feel like we’re living behind glass.
The truth is, numbness is a coping mechanism, not a character flaw. It’s our body’s way of saying, “You’ve been through enough — let me take over for a while.”
How I’ve Been Waking Up
These days, I’m trying to find new ways to live and feel again — without running, hiding, or masking. Some days, I still want to shut down. But here’s what I’m learning:
Small steps count. Sometimes just noticing how I feel is progress.
Movement helps. When I dance, even just for me, it shakes something loose.
Journaling brings me back. Putting my feelings on paper reminds me they’re real.
Community matters. Talking to people who understand helps me remember I’m not alone.
Therapy is sacred. Healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible.
I’m still figuring it out — the balance between grace and accountability, between giving myself rest and gently pushing forward.
What I Know for Sure
Numbness isn’t peace — it’s protection. But protection eventually becomes isolation, and that’s not where I want to live anymore. Feeling again can be scary, but it’s also where the art, the love, and the freedom live.
So this season, I’m choosing to stay open.
Even when it hurts.
Even when it’s uncomfortable.
Because I deserve to feel alive.
✨ TAG, You’re It!
Where in your life have you been going numb just to make it through?
What’s one small way you can begin to wake yourself up — gently, without judgment?
