Feeling ‘Blah’? You Might Just Be Languishing.
October 2025 | Episode 007
How leaders can recognize, and reverse, the quiet drain on energy and purpose.
We’ve all had days where we don’t feel burned out, but we also don’t feel energized. Instead, there’s this low-level fog, a sense of “blah.” That in-between state has a name: languishing.
Sociologist Corey Keyes first coined the term to describe “the absence of feeling good about your life.” Psychologist Adam Grant later called it “the neglected middle child of mental health.” Not depression, not burnout, but not flourishing either. It’s that unsettling gray zone where motivation dips, purpose feels elusive, and work becomes more about getting by than growing.
The state of wellbeing today:
Global studies show a drop in workplace engagement and meaning since the pandemic.
Employee engagement dropped 21% in 2024, and just 33% of employees are thriving overall. They are present but unattached, merely "going through the motions." (Gallup).
Languishing is linked to lower productivity, creativity, and overall well-being, and left unchecked, it can slide into burnout.
What languishing looks like at work:
Feeling stagnant, unmotivated, or “stuck”
Struggling to find joy in work you used to enjoy
Checking out emotionally while still showing up physically
Focusing more on “fitting in” than contributing meaningfully
But here’s the good news: languishing isn’t permanent. Leaders can take proactive steps to help themselves and their teams shift from languishing to flourishing.
Why this matters now.
Gallup’s latest research also shows that only 21% of employees are engaged in their work, while 17% are actively disengaged, a trend that’s costing U.S. organizations an estimated $2 trillion in lost productivity each year.
For many employees, that “blah” feeling of languishing is actually a sign of disengagement. But emotional intelligence provides a path forward. By strengthening self-awareness, you can name what feels meaningful and what doesn’t. With assertiveness, you can ask for more of what aligns with your strengths, or even take the leap into something new. And through optimism, especially the strategy of reframing, you can shift from fear of change to possibility.
Sometimes, the bravest move isn’t just pushing through disengagement, but deciding to create a career path where you can truly thrive.
3 ways leaders can reclaim energy and purpose, for themselves and their teams.
Name It to Tame It
The simple act of recognizing and naming languishing helps remove stigma. When we know that what we’re experiencing has a name, it creates space for honest reflection or conversation.
For your team: Normalize the conversation by naming languishing in meetings. “Has anyone else been feeling a bit ‘blah’ lately?” can spur honesty and connection.
For yourself: Give yourself permission to acknowledge when you’re languishing. Journaling, voice notes, or simply saying, “I feel stuck right now” removes shame and clears space for problem-solving.
Reintroduce Flow
Research shows that small doses of focus and creativity, whether in projects, problem-solving, or learning, combat languishing.
For your team: Encourage 30 minutes of focused, meaningful work each day. Protect it from meetings and distractions so creativity can return.
For yourself: Block time on your calendar for deep work or creative play. Even solo leaders need protected space to immerse in projects that light them up.
Reflect Together on Path, Success, and Mission
Languishing often shows up when we lose sight of why we’re doing the work in the first place. Teams that take time to step back to reflect and reframe create deeper alignment and meaning.
Try it as a team exercise:
PATH - Share with each other how you came to the roles you’re in today. Was it by choice, chance, or a mix of both?
SUCCESS - Explore the four dimensions of success: happiness, achievement, significance, and legacy. Invite team members to share which one resonates most right now, and why.
MISSION - Together, revisit your team’s purpose. Who do you want to benefit from your work? Which values guide you? Which values are missing?
When leaders make space for these conversations, teams begin to replace those foggy feelings with clarity, connection, and collective purpose.
Bite-Sized Wisdom for Big Impact from Our Coaches
Ready to move beyond “blah”?
At McLaughlin Mentoring, we help leaders and teams break free from disengagement and build workplaces where people actually want to show up.
Our interactive workshops aren’t just practical, they’re engaging, energizing, and a refreshing way to step away from the day-to-day. They give your team the space to reflect, learn about themselves and each other, and walk away with skills to:
Recognize and regulate emotions in real time
Use emotional intelligence to strengthen decision-making
Transform disengagement into energy, focus, and purpose
The truth is, no one flourishes by accident. It takes awareness, courage, and tools that make change possible. Let’s create a culture where your people don’t just avoid burnout, they thrive with clarity, connection, and meaning.
Yours in optimism,
Jillian & Team
McLaughlin Mentoring Inc.