When I'm feeling empty and not enough, one of my coping mechanisms is is to turn to the activities that I love and bring me joy. I try to acknowledge the feelings that I'm experiencing and give myself permission to feel them. I'll listen to my favorite songs, let myself feel my emotions, and allow myself to get lost in my thoughts. Sometimes, I'll journal my thoughts and feelings, as a way of releasing my emotions and processing them. Try to analyze where those empty feelings are coming from and do something different to overcome them. Finally, I try to be gentle with myself and remind myself that it's okay to feel this way sometimes.

Truthfully, I lack a clear-cut coping mechanism that's immediately apparent, and I struggle to effectively communicate the emotions brewing inside me. :___) As a result, when faced with such moments, I tend to seek refuge in activities that keep me occupied. Whether it's immersing myself in the process of cooking, diving into articles discussing my favorite news topics, or engaging in other tasks, these endeavors serve as a means to distract myself from the overwhelming thoughts and feelings that I find challenging to express or manage. Essentially, these activities become my way of creating a mental space, steering me away from thoughts that might otherwise dominate my mind. 🧑🏻‍💻