Can you give some examples of ways you've filled a void in your life?

Oh sure. I filled the void of quitting smoking with sweets. Then I had to lose the extra 150 pounds I gained and the diabetic problems by quitting sweets and adding mucho exercise. I filled the void of lack of sweets with vegetables and fruit. I then had to fill the void of clothes being way too large… I did so by getting smaller clothes.
I lost the diabetes!

haha My whole life has been filling the void…...

I had an eating disorder to fill the void…..then I was a compulsive exerciser to fill the void…..then I did way too many drugs to fill the void….I had a whole heap of meaningless relationships to fill the void…now I’m using study to fill the void…I never feel complete.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a very logical person, and am very skeptical when it comes to most things, but this “void” that everyone feels, and that I feel in particular….That is one of the only reasons I still believe in God, and if not God, the hard wired human need for LOVE anyway.

Let’s not be too quick to label the void as a bad thing. It’s not the void, itself, that’s the bad thing; it’s what we put into it, don’t you think? We feel a void when we separate ourselves from others, when we aren’t in relationships, when we’re not in touch with ourselves, when we are uninspired, when we’re not thinking the “big” thoughts, when we’reworking meaningless jobs or are in meaningless relationships….gosh, all kinds of things.

That void comes built-in so that we can strive to succeed….to learn…..to think…..to build. It’s a survival-of-the-species thing. The good news is that, if we think of the void as a box, we can easier determine what goes into it. I’m just sayin’..........

I have a rather big void, that I’ve been trying to fill, but I don’t know what to fill it with.

and no I’m not joking.

I’ve moved all over the place looking for this and that, but nothing has ever made me feel content. I really don’t know what to do about it.

One spring when nothing in my life was going right and I really felt like ditching everything, I decided to force myself to do three completely new things. So I started gardening, I joined the Scottish society, and something else. It might have been as dumb as cutting my hair. I’d prefer to think I signed up for a class.

They did not fill the void. But they did give me something constructive to do and take me out of myself a little bit while I let some natural healing processes occur. It was better than spending all my time obsessing. While I was planting jasmine and editing a club newsletter, I wasn’t thinking about my endless unresolvable conflicts. The obsessing just dug the hole deeper and deeper, like picking at a sore spot.

In time what I learned was that you can’t fill a hole with other people, with things that gratify your appetites, or with aimless activity. You have to fill it with yourself—that is, you have to heal and become whole. Everything else works better then.

@j0ey…IM with you sister.

@slick44 @j0ey I thought thats what the meaning of life was lol.

Did some thinking, began loving for real, putting others first.

Fluthering

When I divorced my first wife, I filled a bottomless pit that was sucking the very life right out of my soul. That void was replaced with happiness, common sense, and my independence once again.

@Bluefreedom I hear ya.

lots and lots of masturbation

my list includes study, sex, and gym. this keeps me from my depression, until i gain weight, get dumped or fail an exam =(

I’m used to be really not very good at initiating friendships. Still kind of am.

In high school, I finally said “enoughs enough”. When I’d be in a group, I’d go up to someone new and tell them I didn’t get their name and I’d tell them mine. Made a lot of friends that way.

I pray and worship God that I might feel his presence in all areas of my life. I feel no void.

@PacificToast good on ya.

Hobbies such as reading, target shooting, writing, and camera and book collecting.

And friends.

Ditto what @janbb said.

I also think I have been eating more than I should to fill my voids for the last 10 years.

This question is actually depressing me a little.

Well its been about 30 years since my dad passed away and he left a large void. True I have children and my husband and I love them with every ounce of me. But I only had one dad. He is not replaceable. They all give me a different kind of love but the love of a great dad is a void that can never be filled. There is still a spot in my heart reserved just for him.

I tend to fill voids with lots of reading, writing, target practice and computer and board games and friends. Things I enjoy. Of course there are times when the depression sucks all the joy I find in those things out, but I know it passes eventually, until the next time.

a lifetime ago had an experience to see that all life was energy,
this was after a lifetime of looking for God through various religions, and only finding out “all about” God,
So, especially after my experience i needed some verification.
Went to India and studied with Spiritual Masters to fill the void of not understanding.

With the help and support of my family, and taking care of my first son, I managed to make it through the time it takes for a sense of loss to fade away.

@phillis This is a new take on the void for me. I’m surprised I’ve never thought of it in this way before – it’s so very true, not to mention helpful :)

@Jeruba Great answer :)

school

I think the best way to fill a void in yourself, is to find someone else with a void in them and be a part of filling that. You can’t feel empty if someone really needs you and you know you’re fulfilling that need.

1. Work. This has always been my salvation for when I feel a void, loneliness or am in a bad way. Work gives me structure, puts me with people where I’m forced out of my funk, people give me support and feedback and I get a paycheck to put towards attaining security.

2. My little dog. Once I got him then I learned I was capable of personal sacrifice in order to keep him healthy and safe. In a way, he gave me the focus and patience to get through a troubled relationship.

3. Friends. They have been my “family” of choice, we’ve all made wonderful memories.

4. Music. It’s put me in contact with fascinating musicians and artists as well as giving me inspiration for writing which in turn has given a few musical buddies inspiration to make more music.

5. Love. When I’ve got it then it’s been a great balm and also boon. Love has been a perpetual restart/refresh for my psyche, I hope to never be without it in my life.