Fall hits, and suddenly we’re all cozy, moody, and pretending our emotional spiral is just “main character energy” in a knit sweater.
But there’s a difference between a seasonal slump and seasonal depression.
The Fall Slump
You’re a little tired, snacky, and unmotivated, but once you get moving, joy still shows up. You can laugh, feel inspired, and romanticize the gloom with a chai latte and a new playlist.
Translation: You’re adjusting. Not unraveling.
Source: Giphy.com
Seasonal Depression
This goes deeper. The kind of fatigue that clings to you, the hopelessness that makes even getting out of bed feel heavy. It lasts longer than you want to admit, and the things that used to make you happy don’t hit the same. Sometimes you get a flash of joy like sunlight breaking through clouds but it fades just as quickly.
If that’s you, you deserve real support. Not just seasonal self-care aesthetics.
How to Cope
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Therapy = maintenance, not meltdown. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to get help. Look into resources like:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 anytime)
- TherapyDen: Inclusive therapist directory
- BetterHelp: Online therapy you can do in your sweats
- NAMI HelpLine: Free peer support and resources
- Romanticize the recharge: but don’t disappear. Keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Depression heals through action do the things you love, even if you have to do them sad.
- Feed your brain: balanced meals, hydration, and moving your body in ways that actually feel good like walking shelter puppies, helping a neighbor shovel their driveway, or taking that random dance class just for fun.
Source: Pleated-jeans.com
The Takeaway (A Little Tough Love)
Not every moody moment means you’re spiraling, but ignoring the heavy ones can.
So before you chalk it up to “fall vibes,” ask yourself:
Am I slowing down or shutting down?
If it’s the latter, it’s may be time to get some help. Because even the coziest vibes can’t fix a serotonin shortage.
