Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

This non-weather is making me feel...weird and flat?

52 replies

Cauliflowersfloofy · 17/08/2023 09:08

I feel so odd atm – can’t get into anything at work, finding it difficult to get motivated to do stuff at the weekends, just waiting for each day to be over so I can get to the next one, just constantly feel like I’m waiting for…something? I’m convinced it’s the weather. I enjoy summer, but not the heat, and I much prefer this cooler weather to last year’s heatwaves, but I think it’s the lack of sunshine and having had ‘a summer’ that’s left me feeling really off kilter, everything just feels a bit weird, not totally unlike how it did during Covid. Logically I don’t mind that it hasn’t been hot and sunny, it hasn’t ruined anything for me, but it just feels like something is missing/wrong.

I look forward to autumn every year, particularly if the summer has been hot as I love the changing of the seasons, but right now I literally can’t wait for the dark nights and everything to feel proper autumnal - but just because it would be preferable to this grey-ish, warmi-ish nothingness, and then hopefully this strange untethered feeling will go away.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
AtomicBlondeRose · 17/08/2023 09:10

I just hate it. The lift I get from a peek of sun or blue sky is immense. It doesn’t even need to be hot, but just…something other than grey. I find it incredibly depressing.

titchy · 17/08/2023 09:19

Same Sad

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 17/08/2023 09:38

Yes! I feel as if I’m circling above Heathrow or something.

35965a · 17/08/2023 09:41

I know what you mean. We’ve had a lot of very grey days. It’s been quite strange. I already sort of feel autumn in the air, which feels wrong because it’s so ‘early.’

Fuckstix · 17/08/2023 09:42

I'm with you. Bright high sun causing greyish clouds to contrast against each other (as opposed to in autumn where there isn't so much contrast) affects my epilepsy which affects my MH. it hasn't been a good summer for me. I'm making crumbles and shopping for autumnal clothes to cheer myself up!

ShirleyPhallus · 17/08/2023 09:42

Yes I know exactly, it feels like this is early autumn but it’s actually still summer so I feel all cast adrift

The seasons seem to be moving earlier

hygieneversusplanet · 17/08/2023 09:44

I understand this too. It's like I'm in limbo or have plateaued or something. I have really been slacking off with my freelance work so will pay the price this month if I can't get it together! The thing is, I hate real heat and get sunburn if I look in the fridge for too long 😂 but I do know what you mean. I want some definite seasons, not this grey nothingness.

dancingsands · 17/08/2023 09:44

Yep totally, feeling really down

Peridot1 · 17/08/2023 09:49

Completely get it. It’s been rubbish. I don’t need it to be really hot but I need blue skies and sunshine. I suspect we are all more deficient in Vit D than normal at this time of year and wonder if that’s affecting my mood too.

I normally quite like coming in to autumn but I’m dreading it this year as I don’t feel we have had a summer yet really.

Autumnismyfavouritetime · 17/08/2023 09:54

I am exactly the same. I have felt really ‘off’ since May. I love a warm summer with the lighter nights etc but this hot, oppressive feeling we seem to get these days is just weird and leaves me feeling unnerved and on edge for some reason.
This summer I’ve really wanted it to be over asap.
Saying that though, I have never liked August, it always seems such a weird month where everything seems to be on pause/hold, I have always loved September, it’s my favourite month where everything seems to reset again.
I am most happy when it is a sunny day with a comfortable temperature (18-20 is my most comfortable), think that’s why I love September and October the most.
But I definitely feel the same as you op, weird and flat.

OldChinaJug · 17/08/2023 10:02

I know what you mean.

My house is quite cool and I was really surprised yesterday when I went outside and it felt warm and the sun was out.

It's August!

I mean, there's no point complaining really - it's the weather, there's not a lot we can do about it, and I'd rather this than what some mainland Europe countries have experienced this year.

But I usually spend the summer holidays going out, meeting up with friends, visiting places as I don't get out much during the summer term and this summer I've barely left the house! I mean, I love my house so it's fine but still...

I remember the early August reports that we'd see a shift I the weather around mid August but here we are and the sky is stil grey and I'm still checking the forecast to see if its worth putting the washing out.

Just miserable.

madeinmanc · 17/08/2023 10:08

Totally agree. I've been feeling so weird, just in limbo.

It doesn't help that I live in a tourist town but for some reason it's been unnaturally quiet this year (I had a thread on it, COL/people going abroad again). The past few years we had tonnes of domestic holidaymakers so it's very noticeably flat without their presence. And that won't help bookings for next year, either as no doubt those people won't be in a hurry to come back after this year.

The Air B'n'B next door but one to me has been virtually unoccupied and I always felt a buzz from the holidaymakers there. With it empty it's very quiet but not in a good way.

Plus I've noticed fewer people doing the outdoor sports I do, like running, cycling, paddleboarding, hiking. There were always tonnes of people saying hello and smiling, so much so that sometimes I'd even get tired of saying hello and it was overwhelming, but this year it's just the one or two "hellos".

There's just a weird mood about, I think.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 17/08/2023 10:10

Oh thanks for posting this, I'm totally the same. Just looking out the window now and can't be arsed getting into the shower or going to water the plants. It's just so meh.

MaraScottie · 17/08/2023 10:12

100% get you OP.

Greedybilly · 17/08/2023 10:38

I totally feel the same. Picking blackberries and seeing heather and that 'nights drawing in feeling ' but not had any summer. Really glum:(

Olika · 17/08/2023 10:39

Same. If I don't see blue sky and feel sunshine on myself for days I start feeling weird. Like mildly depressed.

madeinmanc · 17/08/2023 10:43

If I had any money at all I'd be booking a week in the sun right now.

LlynTegid · 17/08/2023 10:44

Different for me, but each to their own. The hours of daylight are the most important to me, and if it were my choice clocks would be on BST all year round as I think most people can make more of afternoon daylight in winter.

I expect sunshine in September, almost always happens once schools in England and Wales resume.

Original poster
Cauliflowersfloofy · 17/08/2023 10:58

At least it's not just me! So fed up of feeling like this. Hopefully we'll have at least some sun to lift us all before it's autumn proper.

@LaviniasBigBloomers funny you mention watering plants - last year I was such a proud plant mamma, out there every morning giving them all a good water before the day started, moving them in and out of the sun as needed (mine are mostly pots). This year I have mostly just left them to it as it's been raining on and off, and quite a few have died as a result as the rain isn't enough for them. What is left is looking all sad and faded now, I've had no enjoyment out of them at all this year.

OP posts:
tequilachickenbird · 17/08/2023 11:06

I feel like this
I can't work out what is wrong with me at the moment
I am low in hormones low in motivation low in executive function definitely low in vitamin d (shit U.K.
Summer no funds for proper sun)
I am very SAD

OldChinaJug · 17/08/2023 11:06

Cauliflowersfloofy · 17/08/2023 10:58

At least it's not just me! So fed up of feeling like this. Hopefully we'll have at least some sun to lift us all before it's autumn proper.

@LaviniasBigBloomers funny you mention watering plants - last year I was such a proud plant mamma, out there every morning giving them all a good water before the day started, moving them in and out of the sun as needed (mine are mostly pots). This year I have mostly just left them to it as it's been raining on and off, and quite a few have died as a result as the rain isn't enough for them. What is left is looking all sad and faded now, I've had no enjoyment out of them at all this year.

I've found the opposite! We've had so much rain (followed by brief, intermittent sunshine) that my garden is positively flourishing!

fullbloom87 · 17/08/2023 11:08

I know how you feel although i loath autumn and winter, I live for the summer but it feels like we've missed it this year.

Tlolljs · 17/08/2023 11:09

Yeah same. I not a sun bunny by any means but this nothingness is draining. We were talking about Christmas at work the other day. Until someone said hang on it’s August.

aintnothinbutagstring · 17/08/2023 11:18

I do feel summer peaked very early this year - June was lovely, July was a washout. However I think we're having typical August weather now - it's always a bit changeable with a touch of autumn in the air sometimes. We're in Essex and the last week or so has been very nice compared to July - lots more sunshine, less rain. I predict September will be the same - it's always as the kids go back to school that you get that last burst of summer.

madeinmanc · 17/08/2023 11:27

Does anyone else think that maybe there was a boost in the past few summers where people were really determined to enjoy themselves and make the most of freedom since COVID and lockdowns/restrictions and maybe this is a return to the norm? Maybe that post-pandemic boost has worn off?