The "Meh" Of Lockdown

Languishing vs flourishing - and the "meh" in between   

I spent a lot of time working on zoom last week talking to those in Auckland. Every time I asked people how they were, the answer I invariably received was “I’m ok” (said with a flat voice and followed by a sigh) “I can’t complain as I have a roof over my head, food and company etc”.

The word to describe this feeling seems to be “meh” (as used by the Mental Health Foundation in recent posts about feelings during lockdown).
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The New York Times used a different word last week – feeling “blah” or languishing. They suggested that feeling “blah” could be the most dominant emotion of 2021. Whether you use the word “meh” or “blah”, the feelings are described as feeling joyless and aimless. Having some difficulty concentrating – like having brain fog. But definitely not feeling depressed and hopeless or burnt out with no energy. Just “blah” – the emotional consequence of repeated long lockdowns during this pandemic.

The New York Times discussed how languishing can be viewed as the neglected middle child of mental health. At one end of the mental health spectrum is “flourishing” where we feel at the peak of our wellbeing, where we shine. At the other opposite end is depression – feeling despondent, hopeless, drained and worthless. And in the middle is this languishing or “meh” - the void between flourishing and depression. Its more about the absence of wellbeing.

So, what can we do when we start to feel a bit meh or blah? It is important to notice that you feel this way. The danger is that you may start slowly slipping into indifference, not noticing those happy moments, and choosing solitude over being with others. Notice and name it. One of the best ways we can manage our emotions to is note them and name them. And validate that its ok to feel this way. This is part of a this shared common humanity and there are probably about a million other people in Auckland and the regions feeling the same way. Just meh.

So rather than minimize how you are feeling – that “I’m ok” followed by a sigh, reclaim your meh. “I’m feeling meh”. And its ok to feel that way.