The Fear of Emptiness… Keeping Busy to Avoid Feeling

Realization: 

For so many years, I kept myself constantly busy to avoid these moments—as if I wasn’t able to fully enjoy them. My mind played tricks on me, and my fears took over: fear of missing an opportunity (FOMO), fear of running out of time to accomplish all my projects, fear of not reaching my yearly goals.

An endless race with no possible victory. I’ve been driven by an urgency to live, shaped by past conditioning and my relationship with illness. In a world that moves faster and faster, it’s easy to get swept away by the whirlwind of activities, responsibilities, and distractions. Whether through work, social media, entertainment, or social obligations, we seek to avoid that feeling of discomfort. We become slaves to doing instead of being.

Observation: 

Vacations need preparation—yes, really!If you want to truly disconnect, make sure your return is planned, organized, and reassuring.

The fear of emptiness—often linked to anxiety about the unknown and silence—is common. It can take the form of fear of boredom, isolation, or inactivity. To avoid these unpleasant feelings, many people fill their lives with distractions, noise, and constant activity. The danger is slipping into chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout, often caused by an inability to pause.

5 Ways to Embrace the Unknown and Find Peace in Calm and Silence

1. Accept Uncertainty

The first step to embracing the unknown is to accept uncertainty. It’s natural to feel anxious about what’s unpredictable, but it’s essential to understand that uncertainty is part of life. Approach it with curiosity rather than fear.

Ask yourself: “What opportunities could come from this?” or “How can I grow from this experience?”

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present moment and reduce anxiety about the unknown. Breathing exercises and meditation are powerful tools to clear your mind. Mindfulness means consciously observing your thoughts, sensations, and emotions without judgment.

By practicing mindfulness, you learn to notice your thoughts without being carried away by them—reducing the fear of emptiness and uncertainty.

3. Create Space for Silence

Silence can feel intimidating, especially if you’re used to a noisy, busy environment. Yet, it’s a precious opportunity to reconnect with yourself and reflect on your thoughts and emotions.

Dedicate a moment each day to stillness—whether through reading, meditation, or simple contemplation.

4. Cultivate Patience

One of the greatest challenges when facing the unknown is to be patient and accept that some things take time to unfold. Patience means embracing the fact that answers and solutions don’t always come right away.

Practice acceptance and gratitude for the present moment. Personally, I keep a gratitude journal where I write down my five “suns” of the day each evening to acknowledge the steps along the way.

5. Disconnect to Recenter

In a hyperconnected world, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by information and distractions. Regularly unplugging from screens and social media is essential to recentring yourself and avoiding constant overstimulation.

Spend time away from devices to recharge and reconnect with activities that bring you joy and calm. For me, being in nature is the most powerful way to disconnect. Painting also allows me to connect with my heart and step out of my head.

Conclusion: Overcoming the Fear of Emptiness

The fear of emptiness and the unknown can cause stress and anxiety, but with the right strategies, you can turn them into opportunities for personal growth and well-being. By accepting uncertainty, practicing mindfulness, creating space for silence, cultivating patience, and disconnecting to recenter, you can find peace in stillness.

Try these tips and experience the calming power of acceptance and silence.

Need a little help?

Caroline Bergeron can guide you with business coaching to help you take stock and move forward with clarity.