Emotional Numbness & Disconnection
Discover why emotional numbness happens and how your nervous system protects you by shutting down under chronic stress.
When Inside Feels Distant
Inside feels far away,
as if observed from a distance
rather than inhabited.
This does not mean you are lost.
It means the system stepped back
to reduce strain.
Distance can be protective,
not permanent.
Do not rush toward intensity
to close the gap.
Let the space exist.
Nearness returns when safety grows,
not when demanded.
For now, awareness alone is enough.
Learn to relate to inner distance with safety in DojoWell.
Explore DojowellFrom Art to Science
Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel like I’m watching myself from a distance?
This is a gentle form of dissociation, which the model views as a structural "spacing out" to manage overload. When the external world or internal triggers become too high-density for your "integrator" to handle, your system creates distance to prevent a total crash. By naming this distance gently—as a protective buffer rather than a medical emergency—you signal safety to your Threat system, preventing a secondary loop of panic from forming.
How do I "come back" to myself when I feel this distant?
The key is not to "pull" yourself back, which creates more pressure. Instead, acknowledge the distance as a valid protective state. The Meaning Density Model™ teaches that distance closes naturally when the environment feels "finishable." Focus on small, local physical realities—the temperature of a drink or the texture of a chair. These tiny, completed sensory loops signal to your Narrative system that it is safe to slowly re-occupy the "front seat" of your experience.