Feeling Wheel
What feeling numb is like
Feeling numb means you can't feel much, good or bad. It can be the mind's way of coping after shock or a long period of stress, and it often feels strange or unsettling.
If this feeling has stayed with you for a while, or you feel unsafe, please talk to someone you trust or a doctor. If you're in danger right now, contact your local emergency services.
Numb or empty?
Numb is an absence of feeling. Empty is a sense that something important, like meaning or connection, is missing. Read more about feeling empty.
Finding numb on the feelings wheel
On the Feeling Wheel, numb sits in the Sad group. Start in the middle of the wheel with sad, then move outwards to numb. If it's close but not quite right, the other sad words below may fit better. It's also normal to feel more than one thing at once.
Other words in the Sad group
Sad words range from a mild let-down to deep grief and hopelessness.
- Bleak Feeling hopeless or discouraged about the future
- Depressed Feeling deep unhappiness or sadness
- Hurt Feeling emotional pain or distress
- Deflated Feeling temporarily let down or disappointed
- Melancholy Feeling deep, reflective sadness
- Sorrowful Feeling grief or sadness
- Gloomy Feeling pessimistic or downcast
- Discouraged Feeling a loss of confidence or enthusiasm
- Insignificant Feeling unimportant or overlooked
- Broken Feeling deeply emotionally damaged
- Bored Feeling uninterested or weary
- Apathetic Feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
- Empty Feeling a lack of meaning or fulfilment
- Despair Feeling complete loss of hope
- Disillusioned Feeling disappointed that reality isn’t as expected
- Miserable Feeling extremely unhappy or uncomfortable
- Disappointed Feeling sad that expectations weren’t met
- Indifferent Feeling no strong pull in any direction
Name what you're feeling
Feeling Wheel puts all 118 of these words on one wheel. Tap the ones that fit, add a note if you like, and see your patterns over time. Free on iPhone and Android.