20 Aug How to Overcome Emotional Numbness: Real Stories of Healing
How to Overcome Emotional Numbness: Real Stories of Healing
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I feel numb?” or “Why can’t I feel anything?” Emotional numbness can creep in quietly, leaving people disconnected from joy, love, or even sadness. It’s often a protective response after stress, trauma, or long-term overwhelm. But the good news is: numbness doesn’t have to be permanent. Healing is possible.
In my work as a hypnotherapist and coach, I’ve supported many people who thought they were broken until they discovered how to feel again. Here are some real voices and my own journey, showing what’s possible when you choose to heal.
“It was like living behind glass.” – Sarah, 36
“I could see my kids laughing and playing, but it was like watching a film. I smiled at the right times, but inside I felt nothing and hated myself for being a cold mother. When I started therapy, I realised I wasn’t broken — I was protecting myself. With gentle work, I began to thaw. Now I cry at movies and laugh until my belly hurts. It feels like life has colour again.”
“I thought feelings would swallow me whole.” – James, 42
“For years I kept everything locked down. If I started to feel sadness, I’d drink. If anger came up, I worked longer hours. I was terrified that if I opened the door, I’d drown in it all. What surprised me in sessions was that feelings move. When I actually allowed myself to sit with them, they passed quicker than I imagined. Now I know I can feel without being consumed.”
“I was numb and reckless at the same time.” – Emma, 29
“On the outside I looked fine, but I’d take crazy risks just to feel something. Shopping sprees, hookups, dangerous situations — anything to escape the nothingness. Therapy gave me tools to notice what was really underneath: fear, grief, and shame. Facing those was painful, but the relief of actually feeling human again was worth it.”
My Journey: From Numbness to Feeling
I know this path personally. For years, medication dulled me to the point I couldn’t feel joy or sadness. I functioned, but I wasn’t living. A turning point came in Bali, when I realised that to truly live, I needed to reconnect with my feelings — not suppress them.
Weaning off meds was messy. Emotions I’d avoided for years came rushing back. At first, I was overwhelmed and even impulsive. But over time, I learned healthier ways to process and regulate. Inner child healing, hypnotherapy, and self-compassion became the anchors that steadied me.
Now, I don’t fear my emotions — I trust them. They guide me, connect me, and make me resilient. And that’s exactly what I help clients find for themselves: the courage to feel again.
Why Do We Go Numb?
Emotional numbness often comes from:
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Past trauma or repeated emotional pain
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Chronic stress or burnout
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Suppressing feelings to “stay strong”
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Medication or unhealthy coping strategies
It’s a clever short-term survival strategy. But long-term, it robs us of joy, intimacy, and connection. Healing begins with creating safety to feel again, slowly, gently, at your own pace.
How to Overcome Emotional Numbness
Here are a few steps that support healing:
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Acknowledge it. You’re not broken — numbness is a protective response.
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Create safe spaces. Whether with a therapist, coach, or supportive friend, choose people who allow you to express without judgement.
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Practice presence. Mindful breathing, grounding, and body awareness help you notice subtle feelings as they arise.
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Reconnect with your inner child. Often, the parts of us that went numb are younger versions of ourselves who needed comfort and care.
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Seek support. Working with a professional helps you process emotions safely and avoid slipping back into old coping mechanisms.
You Are Not Broken
If you’ve been asking, “Why can’t I feel anything?”, know this: emotional numbness isn’t who you are. It’s something you learned, and it can be unlearned.
My clients’ stories — and my own — prove that you can overcome emotional numbness. You can laugh, cry, love, and feel deeply connected again.
When you’re ready to begin your own journey, I’d love to support you. Together, we can help you feel again.
I am a trauma informed hypnotherapist and coach you can book a complimentary consultation with me here and explore personalised support for you or your loved ones. I offer sessions online and inner child healing and hypnotherapy in Nottingham.
https://rebeccadakin.com/contact-me/
https://calendly.com/rebeccadakin/30-minute-clarity-call
More resources here: https://rebeccadakin.com/how-to-practice-self-love/
Further resources: Peter Walker – The Tao to Fully Feeling https://amzn.to/4mR2M8C