Teen Breathe

It’s all a blah…

What to do when that feeling of weariness kicks in
WORDS: Kim Bansi
ILLUSTRATION: Agustina Lemoine

The blahs – you’ve maybe been there. It’s that listless feeling of boredom, like nothing excites or satisfies. The French have a different word for it, ‘ennui’, which loosely translates as a weary dissatisfaction with life. You might also recognise the term from the recent film Inside Out 2, where the emotion is illustrated as a purple being who finds it hard to be interested in anything.

It’s a feeling that often rears its head when you’re swamped with tasks that aren’t particularly meaningful to you, for example, in the midpoint of the school year when you might not be working towards anything exciting.

It can also creep in when you’ve plenty of free time lined up but aren’t sure how to make the most of it, such as a long weekend with no study or socialising, or a holiday where you feel a bit lost. Truth is, people of all ages experience the blahs every now and then.

Why they strike

Sometimes the blahs can hit when a combination of things coincide to leave you feeling restless and drained. It might be a jam-packed schedule that has no room for fun, school-related worries or stress caused by problems at home.

Social media can make things feel worse too. Scrolling friends’ highlight reels can make it seem like you’re missing out somehow and the quick dopamine hits from likes and notifications make real-life activities seem less exciting.

Early to bed

Balbir Bansi, a school therapist based in Berkshire in the UK, notes that sleep, which affects overall emotional health, can also be a factor when it comes to the blahs.

‘When you aren’t feeling your best it affects the quality of your sleep,’ says Balbir, ‘and when you’re lacking sleep it can impact your mental wellbeing, so it can feel like a vicious cycle. But there are ways to break out of those cycles.’

So, if you’re experiencing that restless feeling, know it’s normal and there are ways to help shift that mood.

How to move forward

Use these ideas to boost your energy and help shift those ‘ennui’ moments

1. Break out beyond the screen. Balbir suggests putting down your phone and stepping away from other devices to help fend off this unsettling feeling. ‘When we spend too much time focusing on screens it can be easy to get caught up comparing and despairing, which can make us want to switch off.’ Going for a walk, playing sport or chatting to a friend can all help you to feel more in touch with reality.

2. Mix up the routine. ‘Although routines can provide a sense of comfort, when we’re lacking energy it can help to shake things up a bit,’ says Balbir. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is there something I could do that I’ve never tried before?
  • Could I plan a day trip to somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit?
  • Are there any new hobbies that might give me something to look forward to?
  • What small adventures could I plan to break the monotony?

3. Get enough rest. As mentioned, sleep plays a big role in the way you feel. Balbir suggests having a good wind-down routine to make sure mind and body are prepared for slumber. ‘Taking a warm shower before bed, staying off screens at least one hour before you want to sleep and sticking to regular sleep patterns are important,’ she says. ‘Feeling well rested can help you to feel more energetic which allows you to shake off that passive feeling.’

4. Add pockets of joy. ‘When we find ourselves in a rut, it often means we’ve not made much time or space for the things that bring us joy,’ says Balbir. A solution? Sprinkle little moments of happiness throughout your day. You could even use the writing space on the right to make a list of all the things that bring you happiness and, when you’re next feeling sluggish, look at it to lift your spirits and even spur you into action.

5. Set goals. The blahs can hit when you feel you’ve nothing to aim for and push you forward, so writing down some of your intentions can give you a sense of purpose. The goals can be a mix of big and small aims, from finishing a book to learning to play an instrument. Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way, too.

If the blahs are long-lasting or occur frequently, talk to someone you trust, maybe a parent, school counsellor or nurse or an older sibling. If that feels too much, support and advice is available online from various charities, including youngminds.org.uk and actionforchildren.org.uk