I feel the emptiness too. After over twenty years in medicine, of being, like you, the helper, the expert, the one who sacrifices self to serve others, I feel really drained. I observed nurses and teachers be drained to the point of emptiness, pastors too. I conclude that working in service of our fellow humans has its limits. When we reach that point, it is imperative to stop completely or at least take a significant break. You have given so much to others, that you never had the time to ask yourself what you enjoy personally.

The dance at the pool and long walk in the countryside part is awesome. You are on the right path.

Last week I took time to watch the beautiful blue sky and listen to the birds and crickets. Loved it a lot. We should take MUCH more time for nothing. Doing “intensely” nothing is a wonderful treatment for many things.