Depression as the Absence of Inspiration

Reframing emptiness as a call back to meaning, spark, and self.

Jul 02, 2025

Depression isn’t just sadness.

It’s a kind of hollow, a silence where meaning used to be. It’s emptiness. It’s the loss of meaning, a void, the absence of inspiration. As a therapist and coach, I’ve observed this truth countless times, both in my clients and in myself. Depression often emerges when we lose connection with what moves us, when we drift from the spark that once gave life a sense of purpose and direction. Sometimes this loss is gradual, a slow drifting away from alignment; other times it hits abruptly, precipitated by traumatic events, significant loss, or overwhelming life changes.

Regardless of its origin, depression always signals a deeper need—a need to reconnect with something vital within ourselves. If depression is emptiness, then inspiration is fullness. It’s impossible to experience the depth of depression when we’re truly inspired, when something lights us from within, even momentarily. Depression and inspiration aren’t just opposites; they exist along a continuum. One can’t truly thrive in the presence of the other. I believe that recognizing this isn’t a dismissal of clinical realities, but an empowering shift of perspective.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, framed depression and existential despair as a crisis of meaning—not a pathology. He argued that humans can survive the unimaginable if they find purpose. Finding meaning (not happiness) is the antidote to emptiness. His work, Man’s Search for Meaning, profoundly articulates this dynamic. Frankl observed that even in the direst circumstances of a concentration camp, those who found meaning or inspiration, whether through memories, relationships, or a future goal, had a significantly greater chance of emotional survival. He noted, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear almost any ‘how.’” Frankl reminds us that meaning and inspiration are lifelines. They reconnect us to life, even when external circumstances seem unbearable.

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way (you may remember her from my article on the Practice of Journaling) emphasizes a similar perspective: creativity and inspiration are foundational to our emotional and spiritual health. Cameron argues that when we’re creatively blocked, we become internally stagnant—an experience often mirrored by depressive states: fatigue, disinterest, and profound emptiness. From this perspective, depression signals a deep disconnection from our inner creative force, inviting us to rediscover and reconnect with what genuinely moves and inspires us.

Many psychiatrists and psychologists today resist viewing depression purely as a clinical label or biochemical imbalance. Instead, they invite us to slow down and listen carefully to the deeper messages coming from our psyche— messages urging us to pay attention to some neglected inner truths. Rather than immediately turning away or seeking a quick fix, we might gently ask ourselves: What deeper longing am I ignoring? What truth is this depression trying to help me acknowledge? Seen through this lens, depression becomes less of a disorder and more of a profound wake-up call, guiding us back toward authenticity, meaning, and inspiration.

Of course, shifting perspective is easier said than done. Yet, this humble shift can be one of the most powerful steps toward healing. It begins with recognizing even the tiniest spark within us, and patiently letting it grow—even if, initially, it feels insignificant or impractical. It’s about reconnecting with what genuinely inspired us in the past; not something that sounded like a “should,” not something that just “looked good” to others, and certainly not a borrowed passion from someone else. Instead, we’re looking for the spark uniquely ours, one we’ve left unattended for too long. It doesn’t need to become a major pursuit or career—it’s simply the nourishment our neglected self has been asking for.

Reconnecting with Inspiration

Reconnecting with inspiration isn’t about forcing monumental changes, it’s about turning your attention back to what genuinely lights you up. Here are some thoughtful approaches to help guide you back toward inspiration:

1. Remember Your Authentic “Why”

Take a moment to reflect on what has truly mattered to you in the past. Not what you think should matter, but what genuinely brought you alive, even if it seemed small or trivial. When did you feel most connected, energized, or at peace? Start from there. Feel free to check out the books that I have recommended on that matter at the bottom of this page too!

2. Embrace Daily Moments of Creativity

Inspiration thrives in gentle consistency and meaningful engagement. Choose small acts of creativity that feel inviting, not overwhelming. Write freely in a journal, draw without worrying about quality, cook simply for the joy of flavors, or garden just to reconnect with the earth. Start doing it just for yourself, and when it feels right, consider sharing these moments with someone you trust—a partner, a close friend, or a family member. Allowing others to witness your genuine expressions can foster a deep sense of connection and help you reaffirm an authentic sense of Self. If you enjoy writing, for instance, you might share a short reflection or poem with a friend who makes you feel safe. If you like to sing, record a video and send it to someone who won’t judge. Painted something that speaks to you? Snap a photo and send it to your sister. Start small, at a pace that feels safe and nourishing, because each step toward sharing what truly matters to you is a step back to feeling alive and aligned.

3. Reconnect With Your Body

Depression often disconnects us from physical sensations. Slow down, pause, and reconnect to your body through gentle movement, breathing exercises, meditation, or simply noticing how you physically feel throughout the day. Let your body guide you back into presence, where inspiration lives. A brief moment in nature, an inspiring quote, or a meaningful conversation can be powerful antidotes to emptiness. Regularly expose yourself to things that fill you, even momentarily, with wonder or joy. Over time, these small practices form a lifeline back to yourself, helping you feel and want to feel again. Inspiration doesn’t have to be monumental.

4. Listen Deeply to Yourself

Rather than pushing away depressive feelings, approach them as messages from within, asking for your attention. Get curious: What deeper need is asking to be acknowledged? This curiosity helps dissolve resistance, gently guiding you back to truths you may have overlooked. The journaling prompt below can help if you feel stuck — as well as a good chat with your favorite therapist!

5. Gently Move Toward Alignment

Reflect honestly on how your current life aligns with who you genuinely want to be. Depression often emerges when we stray from our true path or suppress essential parts of ourselves—our creativity, our values, our desires, or even our anger. Reconnecting with meaning doesn’t always come through lightning-bolt clarity. Sometimes, it begins with asking quiet questions and waiting patiently for the answers to surface. It’s not about fixing everything overnight—it’s about taking small, manageable steps that begin to feel like home.

… And yet, too often, in life and in my practice, I see the same impulse arise: we want to thrive, and we want to thrive fast.

We treat healing like another goal to optimize. But this work doesn’t respond to urgency. It requires us to slow down, to release the pressure to “feel better” on a schedule. These profound questions of meaning, purpose, and truth rarely yield instant answers—and maybe they’re not meant to. But each small act of honesty, each gentle turn toward what matters, builds momentum. It might start as simply as realizing that something no longer feels right, or noticing what gives you even a flicker of aliveness. That flicker matters. Trust that slow clarity can grow exponentially—what begins as a whisper can, over time, become a bold return to yourself.

Inspiration is always available

—it exists within you, small and subtle at times, but waiting patiently to be remembered and nourished. Tending gently to that inner spark, no matter how faint it feels right now, is one of the most meaningful steps you can take toward healing, renewal, and reconnection.

Journaling Prompts

• When have you felt most inspired in your life? What conditions allowed for this?

• What activities or experiences reconnect you with meaning and inspiration?

• If your depression was sending you a message, what do you think it would be trying to tell you?

• What simple actions could you incorporate daily to reconnect with your inner spark?

Would you like to go deeper?