december depression

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Just a thread to see if anyone can relate.

The last 2 weeks i've felt depressed, very low motivation, bored, unable to get any joy and just getting overwhelmed with my christmas to do list!

Is this perimenopause, SAD or what ? Maybe i'm just tired and fed up, but really feel like i'm limping towards friday when i finish work. I'm hugely irritable and my husband losing patience with me.

For context, i'm 41, work 4 days, 2 kids. I don't live near family and friends and do often feel lonely as I mostly WFH, but usually can cheer myself up when i'm feeling low through exercise or speaking to a friend.
I just feel so demotivated and fed up and i'm snapping at the kids.

Christmas will be spent with in laws and i don't have many social plans, just want to sleep and not have to rush about doing school run and juggle work.

I generally avoid alcohol as it makes me feel worse. Any tips to shake this low mood?

Honesty I could have written this myself and many many people I speak to are feeling the same.

Do you have time off over Xmas?

I'm trying to cut back on plans to ensure some rest.

I always feel like that at this time of year, especially when the weather is wet or grey. Good news is that daylight gets longer after saturday

Oh yes, I’ve started new medication (Mirtrazapine) and it has knocked me for six! It will get better, hang in there

Thank you for replies.
I do think I have a tendency towards depressive phases, but this time i can't shake it at all. I'm wondering if it's SAD as the grey gloom has been relentless the last few weeks. Thought it might be PMT but dragging on too long.
Tried to do my usual exercise but stopped early due to stitch. I have zero christmas cheer and really can't be bothered with anything but need to for my kids sake.

Book some winter sun. That's what I've just done!

Would love this but finances and school term dates probably won't allow it.

I feel like if i could just have 2 days to myself i could get through the backlog of housework and christmas jobs, then i could reset a little and get some energy. instead i have a constant list of jobs to do, but can't actually do any of it as either im at work or with kids.

All annual leave taken up going to school christmas stuff (two different settings on different days).

I can relate.

Honestly, unless you think it will make things worse, I’d take a day or two off sick at work.

And/or, can you get some time to yourself at the weekend?

I really wish I had taken a day sick leave last week, but now it's only Thursday and Friday morning to go. The nature of my job means whatever i don't do will just be left waiting for me to do in january, there's no teamwork or cover, so i'm battling with myself to do the minimum to make january bearable!
Funny thing is usually monday-friday goes so fast, whereas this morning i woke up and thought "i can't believe it's only Wednesday !" It might be because the weekend was busy so it just feels like an extension of last week

It could be SAD related - try taking high dose vitamin D & iron for a few days/weeks & see if that helps.

Your work sounds similar to mine. I skived off today for nativity play but got stuff to get done tomorrow to make January bearable

Thanks I think i'm just very run down. Feel much better mentally today now that school and work done, but physically feel worse as now have a hacking cough and cold sore!