People Who Are Slowly Losing Their Capacity For Joy Usually Change Their Behavior In 8 Telling Ways
wavebreakmedia / ShutterstockNot being able to feel joy is common when people go through a hard time, although it can also be a symptom of several medical conditions, including depression.
Given that times seem to be particularly hard for so many of us right now, more and more people seem to be losing any capacity at all to feel joy. This shift often comes over time, and without realizing it, their behavior begins to change as a result. If someone is doing or saying things that are out of character in relation to what they've been like in the past, it may be a red flag that it’s time to address whatever they’re struggling with.
If someone is slowly losing their capacity for joy, they'll often change their behavior in these specific ways
1. They stop looking forward to things they once got excited about
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When people can’t feel joy anymore, they usually think the future looks pretty bleak. The excitement they felt before is replaced by the thought that the things they wanted to do just don’t matter.
Many people who feel this way stop going to events or participating in activities they would have enjoyed before. Since they have so little joy left, it feels more comfortable to stay uninvolved. It’s like they don’t have to face reality if they don’t even try.
2. They back out of plans
It can be especially hard for someone who’s losing their sense of joy to talk themselves into going out with friends or somewhere with a big crowd. The plans they made when they were feeling better will feel totally impossible, or maybe even pointless.
This can get them stuck in a vicious cycle because isolation can make them feel even worse. It’s hard to remember that when they feel like everything is falling apart, though.
3. They only talk about practical things
Instead of talking about their hopes and dreams or the things that made them smile throughout the day, people who are losing their capacity for joy start talking about everything in the most matter-of-fact tone possible.
Being practical actually has its benefits, but they’re hard to find when someone starts acting that way because they don’t feel much enthusiasm. They’ll break everything down to logistics so it’s easier to process.
4. They stop doing things that require active participation
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Feeling a total lack of motivation is one of the hallmarks of someone who is running low on joy. When you're close to feeling nothing at all, you can’t hype yourself up to do even the simplest things.
This is when their behavior will change from active to passive. Instead of doing something that they have to actively participate in order to be part of it, they’ll do something that requires very little engagement, like binge-watching or doomscrolling. That’s the kind of thing that just adds more negativity, though.
5. They stop caring about little things that made them happy
In our busy world, people can easily lose sight of the small things in life that make them happy. But when that becomes a pattern someone can’t shake, it signals there’s probably something deeper going on.
Feeling like absolutely everything is terrible is a sad reality for people who are experiencing a loss of joy. When someone reaches that level, they often need professional help to get back on track.
6. They hardly ever laugh
Laughter plays an important role in connecting with others and managing stress, but it’s hard to laugh uncontrollably without any joy. People in this situation might be able to force a laugh or two, but they won’t have the same lighthearted attitude they had before.
This is another thing that makes mental health worse, but it's hard to do when someone is at a low point. It seems like they’re stuck, but they might not even realize it’s happening.
7. They stop reaching out to other people
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People usually feel the need to shut out their social circle when they're dealing with deep unhappiness, or even depression. Staying connected to the people who care about them would actually be really helpful, but it honestly feels like too much for them to keep up with.
A lot of people think social relationships come with expectations and that their friends won’t want to hang out with them if they can’t do the things they used to. Chances are, their friends want to show up for them and support them in whatever way helps most.
8. They ignore tiny but enjoyable aspects of their regular routine
Someone who’s losing their capacity for joy but still functioning might continue the major routines that make up their days, like getting ready and going to work. That can actually give a boost to their mental health, so it’s a good thing.
It’s the little things that they’ll start to let go of instead. They won’t be interested in the hobbies and self-care that used to make up their routine and will probably try to make their days as simple as possible. Less effort feels much more comfortable to them.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
