Meaning of "Numb" by Alanis Morissette

"Numb" by Alanis Morissette delves into the inner turmoil and struggles of dealing with overwhelming emotions. The lyrics depict a state of emotional exhaustion and a deep desire to escape from these feelings through substance abuse. The repetition of "Here comes the feeling, I run from the feeling and reach for the drug, Can't sit with this feeling, I'd rather be flying and comfortably numb" reveals a pattern of avoidance and numbing instead of facing and processing the emotions. The singer portrays a sense of loneliness, hunger for love, and anger that is masked by a facade of being comfortably numb. The song captures the cycle of running away from feelings and seeking temporary relief through artificial means, showing how this can lead to deeper emotional disconnect and a lack of self-awareness. Ultimately, "Numb" reflects the struggle of trying to cope with overwhelming emotions by choosing detachment and numbness as a defense mechanism, rather than confronting and healing from them.