7 signs a deep inner void is silently shaping your life

We all carry within us an unseen world, a complex network of emotions, experiences and memories that shape our every action and reaction.

But sometimes, buried deep beneath the surface, there lurks a void—an emptiness that subtly influences our lives in ways we may not even comprehend.

You may go about your daily routine, seemingly content, but yet feel an inexplicable sense of dissatisfaction or longing. Perhaps you struggle to form lasting connections, or find yourself constantly yearning for something more, something just out of reach.

Is it normal to feel this way? Could this be indicative of a deep inner void silently shaping your life?

To help you navigate these murky emotional waters and decode your inner world, I’ve compiled a list of 7 signs that could indicate a deep inner void is subtly influencing your life.

If these signs strike a chord within you, it might be time to take a deeper look within and begin the journey of self-discovery and healing.

1) Constant feeling of emptiness

We all have moments when we feel a little empty, a little hollow inside. It’s part of being human and it’s often temporary.

But if you find yourself persistently grappling with an inexplicable sense of emptiness—a feeling like you’re missing something crucial, even when everything in your life seems to be in place—this could be a sign of a deep inner void.

This emptiness isn’t always about being physically alone. You could be surrounded by people, engaged in conversation, laughing at jokes, and still feel an undeniable sense of loneliness or disconnection. It’s like standing in a room full of people, but feeling utterly alone.

If this resonates with you, it might indicate that a deep inner void is silently shaping your life. It’s not about what’s happening around you, but rather what’s not happening within you.

Your soul may be yearning for something more—something deeper—and it’s time to figure out what that might be.

This sense of emptiness often leads us to wonder about our connections with others. This is where the second sign comes in: the struggle to form meaningful relationships.

2) Difficulty in forming meaningful connections

Humans are social beings by nature. We thrive on connection, understanding, and shared experiences.

Nonetheless, there might be times when you struggle to form genuine, meaningful relationships—be it with friends, family, or romantic partners. This could be another sign of a deep internal void.

You might meet new people, engage in conversations and social activities, but still feel a nagging sense of disconnect.

You might find it hard to trust others or open up about your feelings, fearing vulnerability.

Or perhaps, despite your best efforts, relationships seem to fizzle out, leaving you feeling isolated and misunderstood.

It’s not about the number of people in your life, but the quality of the connections you form with them.

If you’re struggling to make these deep connections, it may not be a reflection of your social skills or the people around you. Rather, it’s an indication that something within you needs attention and healing.

While we’re trying to figure out our relationships, there’s another thing that often creeps in – constantly looking for approval from others…

3) Constant need for validation

At some point in our lives, we all seek validation. We want to be seen, understood, and appreciated.

However, if you find yourself constantly craving validation from others, always seeking approval for your actions, thoughts, or appearance, it could indicate something in you needs healing.

I remember a time in my life when I was caught in this cycle of constant validation-seeking.

I would alter my behavior, my opinions, even my appearance to fit into perceived societal norms or to meet the expectations of those around me. I would feel a momentary high when I received praise or approval, only for it to fade quickly and leave me seeking the next validation fix.

Looking back, I realize that this incessant need for validation was my way of filling an internal void—a void stemming from a lack of self-worth and self-love.

I was seeking external affirmation for what I was not affirming within myself.

Recognizing and acknowledging this was the first step towards healing that inner void.

Speaking of filling gaps, that brings us to the fourth sign: an obsession with material possessions or achievements. Sometimes, we try to patch up that inner void with stuff – whether it’s the latest gadgets, a fancy car, or even our professional successes.

4) Obsessive attachment to material possessions or achievements

In a society that often values accomplishments and material wealth, it’s not uncommon to strive for success and the tangible rewards it brings.

Yet, when this pursuit becomes obsessive or when self-worth becomes entwined with possessions or achievements, it may signal a deep inner void.

Studies have shown that materialism—excessive value placed on acquiring money or material goods—can be linked to lower levels of life satisfaction and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

This suggests that filling your life with material possessions or achievements isn’t a sustainable path to happiness or fulfillment.

Rather than being a reflection of personal success, an obsessive attachment to possessions or achievements can be a way of filling an internal void.

It can be an attempt to seek validation, self-worth, or happiness from external sources, instead of finding these within oneself.

Now, if we dig a bit deeper beyond this material layer, we often find a nagging fear. Yes, I’m talking about the fifth sign: the fear of rejection. It’s more common than you might think, and often influences our materialistic preferences. 

5) Overwhelming fear of rejection

Fear of rejection is something that many of us grapple with, in varying degrees. But when this fear becomes overwhelming, dictating your actions and choices, it may be indicative of a deep inner void.

I recall a period in my life when I was paralyzed by the fear of rejection. It was during my early career days and I was struggling to find my footing.

Every proposal I had to make, every idea I had to share, was overshadowed by the gnawing fear of being rejected or judged.

I would hesitate to voice my thoughts, dilute my ideas, or sometimes stay silent altogether to avoid potential criticism or dismissal.

This fear wasn’t merely about professional rejection. It seeped into my personal life as well, making me apprehensive about expressing my feelings or asserting my needs in relationships.

Upon reflection, I realized this fear stemmed from a deep inner void—a lack of self-confidence and self-acceptance. I was afraid of rejection because I hadn’t fully accepted myself.

Acknowledging this inner void and working towards self-acceptance was a crucial step towards overcoming this overwhelming fear.

The fear of rejection often leaves us feeling not just cautious but unsettled too, paving the way for our sixth sign: chronic restlessness.

It’s as if this fear propels us into a state of constant unease, where we’re always looking for the next thing to keep these worries at bay, yet never quite finding what we’re looking for.

6) Chronic feelings of restlessness

Feeling restless from time to time is a normal part of life. But when this restlessness becomes chronic—a constant state of unease, a sense of always wanting to be somewhere else or do something else—it could be a sign of a deep inner void.

You might find yourself constantly yearning for change, be it a change in your job, your relationships, or even your physical surroundings.

Despite making these changes, the restlessness persists. It’s like you’re running a race with no finish line in sight.

This chronic restlessness isn’t necessarily about what’s happening in your external world. Rather, it could be an indication that something within you is unsettled.

It’s your soul’s way of telling you that something is missing in your life and it’s time to figure out what that might be.

And this restlessness leads us to the final sign: struggling to live in the moment. It’s tough, isn’t it? To just enjoy where you are without worrying about the past or the future.

But that’s exactly what this inner void can do to us – keep us from enjoying the here and now.

7) Inability to enjoy the present moment

Living in the present moment is often easier said than done. However, if you find it particularly challenging to stay present, constantly dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, it could be indicative of a deep inner void.

Perhaps you find it hard to fully engage in conversations because your mind is elsewhere. Or maybe you struggle to enjoy experiences because you’re constantly thinking about what’s next.

It’s like you’re physically present, but mentally and emotionally, you’re somewhere else.

It could be an indication that something within you is unresolved or unfulfilled. It’s your higher self signaling that it’s time to delve deeper and address this void within.