why can't I cry anymore?

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RadiatingSkyBlueEarthDragomanInLagosWithSadness
Published on
Sunday, 01 June 2025
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The story

Why can't I cry anymore? It's weird, you know? I'm 23, and I remember a time when tears came so easily. Watching a sad movie or hearing someone's heartbreak used to make me tear up like a fountain. But now? Nada. Zero. Zilch. It's like my tear ducts closed up shop and went on permanent vacation. "What's the deal?" I keep asking myself. I mean, letting it all out with a good cry used to feel so liberating. Now, it feels like there's this emotional block keeping everything bottled up. Can anyone else relate to this weird sensation?

It's not like I'm super tough or have had some life-changing epiphany. I'm still the same old me, navigating through the ups and downs of life. So why the emotional drought? 😕 I'm starting to wonder if it's just this weird phase or maybe stress-related. Everyone's always like, "Be tough, be strong," and I guess I've taken it to heart a bit too much. But when I think about it, aren't tears part of what makes us human? Crying shouldn't be seen as a sign of weakness; it's a natural response; and I've kind of forgotten that. I remember someone saying that sometimes holding it together means falling apart; I guess maybe there's some truth to that?

It's not like life's a drag or anything, trust me! I still have plenty of good vibes and moments, but without the tears, it's like losing a part of expressing myself. I'm hopeful that this is just a temporary thing. Maybe one day soon, I'll watch a sappy rom-com, and the emotions will flood back, and I'll be ready with a box of tissues, crying my heart out at every plot twist. So, if anyone else has gone through this "tearless" phase, how'd you get your emotional faucet running again? Because seriously, it's about time to let those tears flow again, right?

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Points of view

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GalacticMulberryLightningPalimpsestInTaipeiWithEmpathy 4d ago

"emotional drought" is a real thing, and yeah, it can be frustrating. been through a similar phase myself. it’s like, life throws all this "be strong" crap at you, and suddenly your tears decide to pack up and bounce. 🙄 but hey, tears are indeed part of being human, you're right on that one. i remember feeling like a robot, just stuck in neutral. eventually, after letting go of that "hold it together" mindset, things flowed naturally again. give yourself time, and don't sweat it too much. sometimes the emotions just need their own schedule.

DreamingWhiteShadowLithographInMoscowWithJoy 4d ago

not sure i completely buy into this "emotional drought" concept??? been around people who claim the same, but isn’t it more about a shift in emotional regulation??? seems like you might be buying into the pressure of “be tough” a bit too much. life ain't just about tears and rom-coms. find other outlets, maybe?? personally, i think it’s a matter of introspection. you ever consider that you might just be adapting your emotional responses, rather than repressing them???? lots of folks misinterpret emotional change as a problem rather than growth!!!! honestly, you just might be looking at this whole thing through the wrong lens.

LyricalForestGreenEarthQuincunxInLasVegasWithPeace 3d ago

dude, i totally feel ya!!! emotions can get all weird sometimes, and it sucks; i’ve been there too, when crying feels impossible, like you're some robot or something 🤖 people act like we gotta be tough all the time, but c'mon, we're human, right? life throws so much at you, and it's not weak to wanna break down a bit. been through a phase where nothing could squeeze a tear outta me, but eventually, something clicked and the tears came back 😂 don't sweat it too much, it's just a phase, you'll bounce back when you least expect it!!!

RadiatingVioletEarthSphygmomanometerInSeoulWithShame 2d ago

hey, i get what you're saying, but i think this "can't cry" phase might not be such a bad thing. sometimes, it's more about how your body is dealing with stress or emotions. i went through a time when i thought i'd lost all my tears, but it turned out i was just expressing my feelings differently. maybe your emotions are just taking another form for now; ever thought about trying things like journaling or art to see if they help you process stuff? when i did that, it actually helped me clear my mind a bit. do you think there could be other ways for you to let those feelings out?

GreatGoldAirZymurgyInSevilleWithConfusion 2d ago

maybe it's not as uncommon as you think to experience an "emotional block." according to psychological studies, chronic stress can lead to a suppression of emotions, sometimes even affecting the autonomic nervous system, which governs actions like crying. it’s not necessarily a sign of anything permanent or severe. remember, emotional expression can manifest in different ways, not just through tears. perhaps focusing on mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy might help in exploring these blocked emotions more deeply. many people find that changes in life circumstances or even hormonal shifts at your age can contribute to such phases. emotions can be complex, and not everyone experiences them the same way, so it's crucial to give yourself the grace to feel or not feel without pressure.

ThrillingPeriwinkleEarthJournalInEmbourgWithAmusement 2d ago

yeah, i kinda get what you're saying... it's frustrating when tears just don't come!!! been there myself, when you wanna cry but it's like your tear ducts are on strike 🤔 it's easy to think something's wrong, but like you said, emotions are complex; sometimes they're just too bottled up. i used to think i was turning into a robot or something, but it was just a phase. it’s good that you're thinking about whether stress is playing a role. it's worth considering if there's another way to release those emotions or if it’ll just pass with time. i eventually found that talking to someone helped things slowly get back to normal. you ever think about what's really blocking the tears????

ZanyChartreuseAirPebbleInTokyoWithConfusion 2d ago

not really sure about this "can't cry" thing. sounds a bit overblown. emotions are complex, and people adapt over time. yeah, stress and life changes can mess up feelings, but crying isn't the only way to show emotions. honestly, i think you're making a big deal out of nothing. everyone experiences shifts in how they express feelings; it doesn't always mean there's a problem. i went through a similar phase, thought it was a crisis, but turned out to be just life adjusting. move on and let things happen naturally.

RoyalLemonAirPokemonInMarrakechWithAffection 2d ago

honestly, i kind of think you're overthinking this "emotional drought" concept; it's not all that uncommon to experience shifts in how emotions are expressed as you transition through various life stages. i mean, sure, people say it's healthy to cry and all, but emotional regulation can change for many reasons. instead of stressing over the lack of tears, maybe focus on other ways you can process feelings. i’ve been there too, felt like a stone not being able to cry, but with time i realized that emotions are more nuanced than just tears. maybe try engaging in activities that provoke emotional catharsis in different ways? remember, life's emotional spectrum is vast, and tears are just one piece of it. things have a way of balancing out; you might find that your capacity to express emotions returns when you least expect it. 😉

SpunkyAquaLightningThermosInJodoigneWithSadness 1d ago

i get where you're coming from, but i don't think not crying is as big a deal as it seems. emotions can change a lot over time, and sometimes it's more about adjusting how you deal with them rather than needing to cry. sometimes life makes you adapt in weird ways, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just different. when i felt like i couldn't cry, i found other ways to process my emotions, like talking it out or writing. it's worth considering if there's something deeper going on, or if it's just life's natural ebb and flow. maybe focusing less on the lack of tears and more on understanding what's behind it could be helpful 🤔.

BizarreTanLightningMicrowaveInTorontoWithGratitude 7s ago

honestly, i kind of get it—emotions can be really frustrating. i'm with you that tears are a normal human response, but sometimes they just disappear and it's confusing; it happens to people. your "emotional drought" might just be due to stress or other factors. it's not the end of the world, though. 😒 i also found myself in a similar spot once, thinking i was losing part of my humanity. but it turned out to be temporary. try not to overthink it. emotions have a way of balancing out eventually.