Have you ever been alone, and the only proof of your existence is that you hear yourself breathing? You are aware that you’re alive but numb to any stimuli around you. There is a part of you, not a physical part, but an emotional one, that harbors your hopes, thoughts, and experiences—the three things that set you apart from everyone else. The things that make you unique. The things that make you—you.
An abysmal emptiness now occupies the anticipation that used to make you interested in seeing what life had to offer. As time passes, you feel less enthusiastic about meeting the expectations of your day, let alone your life. You find yourself asking, “Why can’t I shake this? What’s the matter with me? And though you don’t know the answer to those questions, you do know that you feel helpless because you can’t get back to feeling as if life is worth living.
This stage is what we have named Barely There. To others, you appear normal. You move throughout your day, accomplishing what feels like menial tasks. Your accommodating smile and nod hello are accompanied by the modicum of respect you show others. Yet, deep down, you feel the emptiness that has taken root. And eventually, it consumes you until nothing is left but a sense of disconnect.