Repentance is a direction. It’s a decision to turn away from sin and toward God, and the emotions usually catch up later (see this one).
Someone who’s going through the motions doesn’t lie awake wondering if they’re going through the motions.
I had a stretch of years where every prayer felt like reading a script. A friend pointed me to the verse about the angels in heaven rejoicing over one sinner who repents. One who turns around, that’s the whole requirement. I started praying something simple: ‘God, I don’t feel this, but I choose it anyway.’ That dry, stubborn obedience did more for me than any emotional high ever had.
On the fear of judgment, Scripture calls the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom.