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Sometimes everything seems to be fine but, deep down, something feels heavy and empty at the same time. Is it normal to feel empty even when everything seems fine?

Answered by Karmendra Prakash Shrestha, psychology student, intern at Happy Minds

Before answering the question, I would like to acknowledge your awareness of this feeling. Noticing that something doesn’t feel right even when everything appears fine on the outside is a meaningful and courageous step. It’s easy to ignore or dismiss these experiences, often brushing them aside in the rush of daily life. But recognizing them is the first step toward understanding and healing.

Emotions, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are a normal part of life. Happiness, sorrow and their many different varieties, color our lives. So, it’s important to remind ourselves that feeling down, sad or any other negative emotions is okay and it’s actually important to allow ourselves to feel them. When emotions are suppressed or left unacknowledged, they often resurface in other, more complex ways. 

However, the moment the conversation changes is when such emotions persist for a long time and start affecting other parts of your life (social, personal, professional, love life). If everytime you feel heavy and empty when things are seemingly fine, then it might be an indication that an issue is present deep within you. Our emotions, experiences, and traumas don’t always come to the surface. Due to busy  lives, it’s perfectly possible not to know why we’re feeling certain emotions, difficulties or problems. Issues that come from one’s childhood can be especially difficult to identify and treat. They remain dormant, showing little to no indication of its existence, until something significant change and/or event occurs which causes the issue to emerge to the surface. 

It’s also worth exploring what ‘empty’ or ‘heavy’ truly means for you. These words can reflect a wide range of feelings. Emptiness can refer to loneliness, boredom, sadness, or a lack of meaning, while heaviness might come from guilt, shame, overwhelm, or mental/physical exhaustion. Being able to name what you’re feeling more specifically can bring clarity and direction. One useful tool for this is the ‘emotion wheel’, which is a visual guide that helps people identify and articulate their emotions more accurately and can be easily found through a simple google search. Often, just naming what we feel can reduce some of the confusion and offer a sense of relief.

If these feelings begin to interfere with your daily life, your relationships, or your sense of self, it might be time to seek support. The feeling of heaviness and emptiness while everything seems fine can be an indicator of the presence of some underlying issue. Speaking to a therapist can be a valuable way to understand what’s beneath the surface in a safe and supportive environment. Therapy isn’t only for moments of crisis, it’s a space for self-discovery, growth, and healing, even when things seem okay on the outside. 

Southern Europe and parts of the Middle East are facing a surge in wildfires as a severe heatwave grips the region, prompting evacuations and emergency measures.

Fires broke out Sunday in Greece, Turkey, France, and Syria, with other nations on alert as temperatures continue to climb. Authorities across Spain, Italy, and beyond have urged people to avoid travel and protect the vulnerable, Al Jazeera reported.

In Turkey’s Izmir province, strong winds spread wildfires that led to the evacuation of five neighborhoods. At least three people have died, and over 600 fires have been recorded nationwide in the past week. Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with the blazes.

Firefighting efforts continue in Hatay province, where a major fire remains active. Experts warn climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events, according to Al Jazeera.

Russia claimed Monday it downed 402 Ukrainian drones and seven guided bombs in 24 hours, with most intercepted over Belgorod, Kursk, and even near Moscow.

The drone war is heating up. Ukraine’s President Zelensky said Russia fired 101 drones overnight, part of a wave that saw over 1,200 drones and nearly 40 missiles launched in just a week, according to Xinhua.

A Seoul court will review on Wednesday whether to detain former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who’s facing charges of abuse of power and obstructing justice.

Special prosecutors accuse Yoon of using presidential guards to block his arrest earlier this year. He was briefly jailed but released after 52 days due to legal technicalities, according to Reuters.

The investigation, launched under new President Lee Jae Myung, is also looking into insurrection charges tied to Yoon’s brief martial law move last December.

Prosecutors say he could flee or interfere with witnesses. Yoon’s lawyers strongly deny the claims, Reuters reported

Tanzania will host a high-level Pan-African summit on July 10 in Arusha, focusing on the future of social security across the continent. Officials from 15 African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Cote d’Ivoire, are expected to attend.

Speaking in Dodoma, Tanzanian Minister Ridhiwani Kikwete said the summit aims to enhance dialogue on the role of social security in national development. A stakeholder forum on July 9 will precede the event, offering a platform to address emerging trends and challenges in the sector, Xinhua reported.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has unanimously approved all three proposed Supreme Court Justices and a member at Judicial Council for appointment.

Today's meeting of the Committee endorsed proposed senior advocate Megh Raj Pokharel, Chief Judge of the High Court Janakpur, Shree Kanta Poudel and Chief Judge of the High Court Dipayal, Shanti Singh Thapa, for their appointment as SC Justices, said Committee Joint-Secretary Nirmala Devi Lamichhane Wasti.

Similarly, the committee also approved Mahesh Kumar Nepal for his appointment as a member of the Judicial Council.

Earlier, the Committee had suggested Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, to pay attention in order to make appointments at judiciary and constitutional bodies inclusive.

In response, Minister Chaurasiya expressed commitment to implement the suggestions of the lawmakers in this regard.

Israel has launched airstrikes on three ports and a power station in Houthi-controlled Yemen, targeting Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Saif. The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to repeated Houthi attacks, including missile launches and maritime threats in the Red Sea.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the assault, saying it was part of “Operation Black Flag” and included strikes on the hijacked ship Galaxy Leader, allegedly used by the Houthis for maritime surveillance. He warned the group would “continue to pay a heavy price”, according to BBC.

The Ras Kanatib power plant, supplying electricity to cities like Ibb and Taizz, was also hit. Following the strikes, two missiles were fired from Yemen toward Israel, prompting sirens across parts of the country. Interception efforts are ongoing.

Houthi media confirmed strikes in Hudaydah but did not detail casualties. The port remains a key entry point for humanitarian aid and has been targeted in previous Israeli operations, BBC reported.

On the 20th anniversary of the London bombings, King Charles has urged people to stand united against division and hate. Remembering the 52 lives lost and hundreds injured in the 2005 attacks, he called the bombings “senseless acts of evil” and said his thoughts remain with all those affected, according to BBC.

The King praised the bravery and compassion shown that day and in the days that followed, saying it showed the strength of community in the face of tragedy. He stressed the need to keep building a society where people of all backgrounds live with mutual respect.

A national service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday, with the Duke of Edinburgh attending on the King’s behalf, BBC reported.