To always feel slightly depressed even when nothing is ‘wrong’?

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I’m always in a state of low mood/depression but not enough to stop me doing day-to-day tasks, eat, shower, do my job or look after my kids. I’m married so can’t blame being burnt out as a single parent or whatever.

I’m currently just sat watching my children play whilst feeling so unbelievably down - like I could cry - for no real reason. If given the chance I would probably stay in one place all day and just think, wouldn’t be motivated to go anywhere and i’d be happy sitting inside, in silence despite it being nice weather.

Its like life doesn’t feel exciting, i’m just existing.

Can anyone relate?

I don’t feel like that, but I really hear what you’re saying. That sounds incredibly heavy to carry.

What you described, functioning on the outside while feeling deeply low and disconnected on the inside, that in-between place can be so lonely.

Reading your post made me think about the purpose of life. What is the purpose of your life? Not just the roles you fill every day, like being a parent or a partner, but who you are beneath all of that. Sometimes when we feel this kind of emptiness, it’s because we have lost touch with something that matters to us. Asking that question gently, without pressure to have a perfect answer, can open up space for something to shift.

I think part of our purpose is to slowly uncover who we really are beneath all the roles and routines.

Have you been able to share this with anyone in your life?

A counsellor once told me she thought I had mild depression most of my life. For me, unmet childhood needs. Counselling helped, as did trying new activities .

I can relate.when dcs were born 26 yrs ago the health visitor said I wasn't depressed as I was always low anyway.
Now decades later I feel like it post menopause.
I think my hormones are to blame and I have ADHD which is a lack of dopamine.
I had therapy and try to see the positive yet hardly laugh these days.

I felt like this for years OP. Don't start asking yourself 'what's the point' and stuff like that, there is no point, we just have to get on with life and whatever it throws at us. However, in saying that, I highly recommend seeing your doctor and asking for anti-depressants. I've had to take them everyday since I was 23, and I'm 66 now, but they keep me on an even keel, and I'd far rather pop one tablet a day, than always feel like life is pointless. I was told that my problem is a hormone imbalance, if that's of any help. So please see your GP, but DON'T downplay how low you're feeling. Alternatively, something that I found did used to help, and which you might like to try, was exercise if you don't get much. My DH & I used to go walking a lot when we joined a diet club, and I clearly remember coming home from a really bad day at work, and feeling incredibly down, so in spite of it absolutely pelting it down with rain, we went for a walk around our village. We kept up a good pace because of the rain, and by the time we got home, I felt MUCH, MUCH better, but sadly I can't do that anymore due to my disability. You may find your doctor also recommends exercise as it promotes the release of endorphins, which are the 'feel good' hormone.

Get your face out of your phone and go play with the kids. It'll help.

No advice but solidarity. I’ve felt like this for a large part of my adult life.

I don’t feel sad but I definitely fell like I couldn’t give a shit if I died. I’m fact I’d welcome it. I don’t think most people feel like that.

Yes, this is like me. I’m diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Why have you quoted Chat GPT? This can’t be in the spirit of Mumsnet at all.