I feel numb all the time. I don't like feeling like this, and I've been like this for years. I just want to feel again- experience joy, pain, everything but I don't know how. What should I do?

Do mindfulness exercises, frequently. Connect with people, take part in various activities. Do prayers, do something for others and see them smile.

Start small. Whether you find a show to fangirl/boy over, or a book to put your attention into. In my case, making online friends have always been a way for me to feel happier. Small things like these might make you feel again, even if it's small. Small things can bring significant results. Also, if these things don't work at all, write down your thoughts and ONE thing that you look forward to for tomorrow. Once that thing that you've written happens, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. Again, it's quite small but it can still bring you to feel something. Small things can bring significant results.

It sounds like you’re experiencing some kind of detachment from your emotions which can be extremely painful as the good (and even bad) are denied expression. This can make things very difficult to do as there may be no payoff - why eat healthy or exercise or do something fun or exciting if I won’t feel it? In my experience this is not an easy thing. At times one may even feel like giving up. And the barrage of well wishes and advice is terrible, while the moments of silence where no one is helping or there are even worse. There are many trained listeners on this site, or even a the Noni bot who could listen to you if you need to vent. The growth path is also something I’ve found effective. Journaling, gratitude work and counselling, reading, meditation, exercise and medication are also options and ideas that may be worth exploring if you like. There’s so many bumper stickers of wisdom as well - be the change you wish to see - focus on the positive - why go without when you can go within. Ultimately no one can force you to follow them - drag you across the threshold. Ultimately that’s you who’s going to have to find what’s in you, and use that to achieve what you want, no matter how impossible it may seem. How could you challenge yourself today? What could light a spark in your soul? Some questions you could ask yourself. It may not be what you want to hear, and it may not be what you need to hear - “take a shower, eat well, drink water, ask for help, do dishes”. Sounds so mediocre...where’s the good stuff!? That’s when sinking into the self instead of suffering on the outside is key. When we go into ourselves we find the possibilities of our lives open up. We don’t need to fear or doubt life because it vanishes as we see fear and doubt as only ideas that we can choose like food at a buffet. Then approaching the person, doing the thing, taking the chance is no longer impossible but something we draw to us like a magnet, with our impregnable core lighting the way, the light of endless suns and countless moons and mysteries shining from our eyes. Light up and become you.