Kate Hastings Show

The Reality of Emotional Numbness Most people don’t even realize they’re in it until someone puts it into words. You wake up, go through the motions, handle responsibilities, maybe even accomplish big things, but inside, there’s nothing. No spark, no deep emotion. The things that used to excite you don’t anymore, and the things that should hurt barely register. You laugh, but it’s hollow. You succeed, but it feels empty. Life happens, but you’re watching from a distance. It’s not just exhaustion or a rough patch—it’s emotional shutdown. It happens slowly, the result of years spent suppressing emotions, avoiding pain, and pushing forward without processing life. At first, it feels like self-preservation, but over time, it costs you your ability to truly feel. The truth is, emotional numbness doesn’t just happen. It’s a survival response. Maybe it started with unresolved pain—childhood trauma, heartbreak, rejection, or loss—where shutting down felt safer than feeling everything. Maybe you’ve spent years in surv