7 behaviors of people who fill their days with distractions just to avoid feeling empty

Here’s a truth bomb for you: sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies. We fill our days with distractions, busyness, and noise, just to avoid the emptiness that might creep in during moments of silence.

Sound familiar?

If so, you’re not alone. Many of us are guilty of adopting behaviors that keep us perpetually distracted. We do it unconsciously, instinctively, just to dodge that feeling of emptiness.

But why do we do this?

Well, we’re going to dive into that today. In this article, we’ll look at seven behaviors of people who consistently fill their days with distractions to avoid feeling empty.

Remember, understanding these behaviors is the first step towards embracing the silence and confronting what lies beneath.

Let’s jump in.

1) Overcommitting to tasks

You know that person who always seems to be doing something? They’re on every committee, involved in every event, and always seem to be juggling multiple projects at once.

It’s exhausting just thinking about it, isn’t it?

But here’s the thing. This constant busyness might not be as noble or admirable as it looks. In many cases, it’s a distraction. It’s a way of filling up our time so there’s no space for those uncomfortable feelings of emptiness.

So if you find yourself saying yes to everything, take a step back. Ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it because you genuinely want to, or is it because you’re trying to avoid feeling empty?

Remember, it’s okay to say no sometimes. It’s okay to have downtime. And most importantly, it’s okay to confront what lies beneath the busyness.

2) Constantly seeking validation

If I’m being honest, there was a time in my life when I was addicted to validation. I’d post something online and then constantly check for likes, comments, or shares. If the post didn’t get enough interaction, I’d feel empty.

I realized that I was filling my day with a distraction – the distraction of seeking validation from others. It wasn’t healthy.

Why?

Because the more I sought validation from others, the less I was able to validate myself, and the emptier I felt inside.

So if you find yourself constantly seeking approval, know that it might be a sign that you’re using distractions to fill a void. Try to shift your focus from external validation to self-validation. It’s not easy, but it’s an important step towards feeling whole.

3) Obsessing over perfection

Perfection. It’s an elusive, unattainable ideal that many of us chase, even though deep down, we know it’s impossible to reach.

I remember a time when I, too, was caught up in the pursuit of perfection. Everything had to be just right – my work, my looks, my home. If things weren’t perfect, I’d feel a nagging sense of emptiness.

Looking back, I see that my obsession with perfection was a distraction. It was a way to avoid confronting my feelings of not being enough.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, it might be time to let go of perfection and embrace the beauty of imperfection. Know that it’s okay to make mistakes and have flaws. After all, it’s our imperfections that make us human and uniquely us.

4) Engaging in endless consumption

Scrolling through social media feeds, binge-watching TV shows, devouring books one after another – does any of this sound like you?

If so, you might be using consumption as a distraction to avoid feelings of emptiness.

It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of constant consumption. After all, in our digital age, there’s always something new to consume. But when consumption becomes a way to fill our time and dodge our feelings, it’s a problem.

So if you find yourself consuming content mindlessly, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it because you genuinely enjoy it, or is it because you’re trying to avoid feeling empty?

Remember, it’s okay to step away from the screen sometimes. It’s okay to sit in silence. And more than anything, it’s okay to confront the feelings that we’re trying to avoid.

5) Avoiding alone time

Did you know that some of the world’s greatest thinkers, from Albert Einstein to Steve Jobs, valued solitude as a crucial part of their creative process?

Yet, many of us fear being alone. We fill our days with people, noise, and activities, just to avoid that dreaded feeling of loneliness.

But here’s the thing: there’s a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Being alone can actually be a powerful way to connect with ourselves and our emotions.

So if you find yourself constantly avoiding alone time, consider this: solitude isn’t something to be feared. It’s an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Dare to embrace it, and you might just discover a whole new level of self-awareness and understanding.

6) Clinging to the past or future

We’ve all had moments where we’ve been stuck in the past or fixated on the future. I’ve been there too, replaying past mistakes over and over in my head, or worrying about what’s to come.

But when we’re constantly dwelling on the past or future, we’re essentially distracting ourselves from the present moment. And this can often stem from an underlying feeling of emptiness.

What has helped me, and might just help you too, is practicing mindfulness. It’s about staying present and appreciating the here and now. It’s about acknowledging our feelings without judgment.

So next time you catch yourself clinging to what was or what could be, gently bring yourself back to the present. Remember, it’s okay to let go of control. It’s okay to just be.

7) Ignoring emotional health

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to prioritize physical health and neglect our emotional well-being. We might go to the gym religiously, eat all the right foods, but when it comes to our feelings, we often brush them off.

Ignoring our emotional health is a common behavior among those who fill their days with distractions. But the truth is, our feelings are not enemies to be avoided; they’re indicators of what’s going on inside us.

Make your emotional health a priority. Start by acknowledging your feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. And remember, it’s okay to seek help if you need it. There’s strength in vulnerability.

Embracing the silence

If you’ve found yourself nodding along to these behaviors, know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into the trap of filling our days with distractions to avoid feeling empty.

But here’s the bright side – this doesn’t have to be your narrative.

Awareness is the first step towards change. Start by recognizing these habits in your daily life. When you find yourself overcommitting, seeking validation, or avoiding alone time, take a step back and reflect.

Ask yourself – am I doing this out of genuine interest or am I trying to avoid feeling empty? Every moment of introspection brings you closer to understanding your true self.

Remember, it’s okay to feel empty sometimes. Emptiness is not a sign of weakness or failure; it’s a part of being human.

Take it slow. Be gentle with yourself. Embracing change isn’t an overnight process. But with time and patience, you can learn to sit with your feelings instead of running from them.

And in those quiet moments, you might just find what you’ve been unknowingly seeking – a sense of fulfillment and peace that comes from within.