What causes people to look like they carry the weight of the world

[whatisforteamum]

When I was a child a shop keeper said this to me that I looked like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Eldest child maybe with grown up responsibility.
Now in my 50s I greet everyone with a smile yet my face sometimes says otherwise when I'm thinking what I'm doing next.
I've always been the serious one.
Sensible.
Anyone else get this said to them.?
Is it an autistic thing or depression.

Neither autism nor depression. Some people just have a very serious resting facial expression (related to resting bitch face).

This is an interesting question.
I felt my my grandmother was like this but it was more in a briskness/restlessness and impatience but my DH often asks what's wrong when I'm just thinking.
I try to look positive and cheerful when I'm not just on my own sofa but I think when I relax my expression doesn't do what I think it's doing.

In my experience its when I'm not masking my autism so if you're autistic it may be this OP...

Not diagnosed and awaiting ADHD assessment.autism wouldn't surprise me.
I do stick to rules mostly.Take work more seriously.
Bit of a workaholic.
I get accused of being too happy for someone at work or told to 😊

Oceanicboundlessness I like being at home best.
I can be ugly in peace.No forced smiles.

I think there's a difference between someone having a "resting serious face" and them looking generally miserable and down-trodden which I think isn't just about facial expression but posture and demeanor.
The latter I would describe as looking like you "have the weight of the world on your shoulders". The former I would describe as "face like a slapped arse"

Ha ha, I love being out and about. I need to socialise as much as I need down time. But I can't go round smiling manically all the time so that I don't look grumpy.