To feel sad every year around this time

whichone343 · 2021-09-06T08:25:31+00:00

I don't know if it because I have the 6 weeks off and then back to school/work and they are another year older, but every year, around this time, I have this overwhelming feeling of sadness/depression

TolpuddleFarter · 06/09/2021 09:29

Me too actually

GoodnightGrandma · 06/09/2021 09:30

I get it at Christmas because there’s all this expectation for it to be wonderful and fun filled, but it’s just another day to me and I miss my mum who died 25 years ago.

BroccoliFloret · 06/09/2021 09:36

I struggle with the decreasing levels of light.

September is fine for me, the very worst part is from when the clocks go back at the end of October through to the solstice on 21st December.

November is basically hell on earth. People wittering on about snuggling with the famalam and hygge and cosy and hot chocolate and blankies don't help.

It's the gradual slide into darkness which is just awful. Would be fine if the light we did get was strong or bright sunshine but it's more commonly grey and dull. So, so depressing.

Light boxes and high levels of Vit D help. A bit.

Starrynight468 · 06/09/2021 09:40

No I love it, new stationary, fresher mornings, back to routine after 6 weeks of being all over the place.

By November I'm miserable because of the lack of sun.

flashbac · 06/09/2021 09:44

Me too. Back to school blues even though I haven't been to school for decades.
I spend my life looking forward to summer. Back to school time signals the end of it for me. Feels shit.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/09/2021 09:47

I get it in Jan/ Feb, which is for me the worst part of the year.

So don’t have it now but sympathise!

drpaddington · 06/09/2021 09:54

Yes. I work term time so I get that feeling of dread at the end of each half term break- but going back in September is always by far the hardest. It's like sadness that the holiday has ended, anxiety about having to go back to the rush and stress of work, school runs, after school activities, homework battles, bed fine battles... Also for me it's frustration that I'm still trapped in a job I don't really like!

I get it around New Years too- I'm always so sad that Christmas is over, and I question what I've actually achieved in the last year. I struggle to find any positives!

CrasterKipper · 06/09/2021 09:56

I always feel sad around New Year, similar kind of reason, another year passed. I try to turn it around, be grateful I'm still here and look forward to the year ahead but some parts of the year hit you harder than others I think. Luckily my DS birthday is early in the year so I usually distract myself with booking a party/looking at gifts.

TabithaTiger · 06/09/2021 09:59

I'm the opposite actually. I love this time of year, it always feels like a fresh start and the beginning of something new. Could you try and reframe if and look at it as if you're opening a new book? Back at work and school, new friends, new opportunities. Try not to see your children getting older as something to be sad about. Every stage has its highs and lows, it's exciting to watch them get older and see their personalities develop.

Suntrap · 06/09/2021 09:59

Same OP.
And after xmas too.
In fact, I'm sitting here on my day off wasting the lovely weather

Suntrap · 06/09/2021 10:00

@drpaddington

Yes. I work term time so I get that feeling of dread at the end of each half term break- but going back in September is always by far the hardest. It's like sadness that the holiday has ended, anxiety about having to go back to the rush and stress of work, school runs, after school activities, homework battles, bed fine battles... Also for me it's frustration that I'm still trapped in a job I don't really like!

I get it around New Years too- I'm always so sad that Christmas is over, and I question what I've actually achieved in the last year. I struggle to find any positives!

All of this is me

chipsandgin · 06/09/2021 10:02

Just the opposite here - the fresh start, crisp air, always makes me feel optimistic. Having to juggle work & kids during holidays & being in utter chaos by the end of it probably explains the difference in perspective though!

I’ve always loved September since I was a kid & as an adult still buy myself new stationary (practically skipping off to the office like a little kid with my new pencil case & pens today…I’m nearly 50 & have a very sober & serious job!)

onthinice · 06/09/2021 10:04

It's the back to work blues. I have recently changed jobs and no longer work term time only. I'm getting messages from my previous colleagues telling me they're dreading it, not looking forward to it etc. I on the other hand have worked all through the summer and am just looking forward to the kids going back to school so I can have peace on my day off 😂

I do however suffer with SAD from around late Oct to March time.

PepsiHoover · 06/09/2021 10:06

I always feel like this to OP. I had two spring babies and went back to work after six months mat leave in the Autumn. This is when I think it started and it's got worse as the kids have got older and off to school etc.

It's weird, because I actually like the Autumn. I love the cooler weather, darker nights and darker mornings and I always feel like it's a nice fresh start. I love nothing more than an autumnal walk in the woods then going home for a nice cooked dinner.

Usually by mid September, I'm back to normal.

Fl0w3ry · 06/09/2021 10:07

I feel it too. To me it's an exciting new chapter for the kids and I show enthusiasm for that on the outside, but inside I feel like my babies are growing up too fast, chapter's of life are closing too quickly and it does make me feel a horrible bittersweet sadness. I also dislike getting back into a routine. Some people seem to really relish the routine of the school run etc. But to me it just feels like expectations, deadlines, and a busy rush. I find it quite monotonous and a bit stressful at the same time.

Chikapu · 06/09/2021 10:12

I hate the end of Summer and the nights drawing in, so many people say that Autumn is their favourite season but I find it depressing. I can't stand that people are already blathering about Christmas either.

Peanutsandchilli · 06/09/2021 10:17

I hate the nights getting darker and it getting colder. I hate the expectation in the run up to Christmas that you have to spend so much money. I spend the whole winter wishing it were May again.

CheerfulBunny · 06/09/2021 10:17

I'm glad I'm not the only one, OP. I think for me it's a throwback to being a kid and not wanting to go back to school. Summertime is so exciting and has such promise of great things to look forward to so I guess it's natural to feel sad when it's over. The older I get, the harder I find the darker months. I'm not a fan of Christmas because I lost both parents around then so it's a long, long time to wait for good things. I'm dreading winter even more than ever this year

Suntrap · 06/09/2021 10:18

Yes.
Mine are growing up too quickly. I try to be happy and positive but inside I'm practically grieving .

Although I do work during school holidays I take a lot of annual leave . Love being at home.
Now its back full on. Setting alarms etc.
Every day super busy and not in a good way

I love the summer weather top(not that we have had much)
Although I do love the cosiness of winter too! And I adore xmas hut I get anxiety after that too.
no hope for me

ClawedButler · 06/09/2021 10:23

Awh bless you, that does sound shite. I don't like the fading of the light, but I do enjoy this time of year. I like all the seasons for different reasons (oh hey, accidental poetry), but I do sympathise. I LOVE my daughter getting older, though, it's so exciting watching her become this fantastic feisty person, and I hated the toddler years.

Original poster

whichone343 · 06/09/2021 10:39

I didn't expect so many people to feel the same, I thought it was just me.
Like so many other posts, I think it is the darker night (I think I have SAD and have done for many years), the stress of school and work, children growing up. to everyone feeling the same

OP posts:

tootiredtospeak · 06/09/2021 10:41

I dont struggle at this time of year as there is a lot going on Halloween Bonfire Night Xmas. Jan to March even with my birthday I hate. Yours sounds more Medical perhaps it's time to seek help if its affecting your life and how you feel.

randomlyLostInWales · 06/09/2021 10:56

I do this summer - even last summer felt more enjoyable though a lot of that revolved around BBQ and Disney + and marvel movies but it felt like there was family time.

Doesn't help DD1 has gone off to college and it reminds me there only a few years left with her around full time and, thanks to covid, feels very sudden there off doing their own thing and much less
enthusiasm.

Having said that I will start to focus on Halloween Bonfire Night Xmas try and make then fun though after Christmas and New year I do slump and find Jan and Feb hard.

(I also get SAD though it usually kicks in a bit later and I have found Vit D suppliments with ascociated other vitamins that help absorption do massively help)

MarshaBradyo · 06/09/2021 10:59

I’m the opposite I love it - it feels like the real new year and start

I do get a pang of sadness as the longest day passes though as I love that too. By September though it’s passed and I like the freshness of back to school. I took dc this morning and it was so great to see all the dc going back, looking happy etc

ouchmyfeet · 06/09/2021 11:00

Spare a thought for those of us who haven't just had 6 weeks off. I love September, the summer holidays are a long haul juggling act which I find quite stressfully. September is a much welcome return to routine and normality and not feeling like I'm shit at everything because I don't have enough time to devote to either my kids or my job