Have you ever found yourself feeling down and not knowing why? I don’t mean those days where something is going terribly wrong or days when you are stressed from work and school. I’m talking about that sadness that comes out of nowhere. It hits you when you look up in the mirror, brushing your teeth, or the second you open your eyes in the morning. 

I know that there might be an article out there that explains why we feel the way we feel with scientific facts and evidence. But I don’t want to talk about the why, because if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in the past year, there are a lot of reasons for me to be upset and angry. Rather, I want to share the ways I’ve dealt with these feelings, or at least I’ve tried to.

Make a list of what’s on your mind

I always start by putting down whatever is on my mind. Next, I think of solutions that might make each problem a little less complicated and jot them down. I find that my concerns seem bigger and harder to resolve when they’re up in the air and on my mind. So, when I write them down, they become an item that can be checked off a list; something that can be dealt with the next day. 

Take some time for yourself

In moments like these, I like to take a break from social activity. This helps me avoid having to put up a show, pretending that I’m fine when I’m not. Also, by doing this, I don’t have to explain why I’m sad to family and friends which can be quite difficult to do. I enjoy taking some time for myself to gather my thoughts and speak to my family and friends when I’m ready.

Take a break from social media

When I’m feeling down, I try my best to stay away from social media. Doing this reduces the chances of bumping into bad news which can be mentally draining and can worsen my mood. Taking a break from social media also means that I don’t experience FOMO (the fear of missing out) when I see my friends and family doing fun, amazing things which sometimes makes me feel sad.

Find something to cheer you up

Now that you’ve listed your concerns, avoided energy depriving social activity and bad news, it’s time to find something to cheer you up. It can be anything. You can put on your favourite TV show or watch live performances of your favourite singer. What I like to do is go on Youtube and watch funny video compilations. (If you’re looking for an example, check this out!)

Going through all these steps does not mean that my sadness magically disappears. But, it allows me to live through my sadness without blaming myself or anyone else, and without being hard on myself for not being productive. It took me a while, but I understand now that it’s okay to be sad and it’s okay to quit. It’s ok if I decide to deal with something later or if I cancel a meeting with a friend. I can quit today and begin tomorrow, and that’s the key to survival.

Disclaimer: If unexplainable sadness has become constant and you can’t seem to shake it, it might be a sign of depression. If you feel sad longer than normal, please make sure to reach out to someone. 

SFU offers free counselling services along with 24/7 mental support through the My SSP app.