(Disclaimer!!! This is intended to be a self deprecating list of things I notice myself doing when I’m getting blue. You can joke about how you’re feeling, but do not let humor invalidate these feelings. Your mental health matters and if you actually feel like it is declining, please reach out to loved ones and connect with the resources we have on campus)
Winter is coming – and with that, seasonal depression is in full swing. It has finally hit that ripe old time of year where it starts to get dark at 4 pm. Midterms have started, and we know now that they will not stop until finals roll by. This year, the changing seasons feel even more intense, what with life finally picking back up again after a year and a half on hold. With school back in full swing, stress, sorrow, and anxiety has filled the air and we’re all slowly being derailed…
Haha. Anyways. Here are ten signs to keep a lookout for as the weather cools down and we do the opposite:
1) You’re listening to Phoebe Bridgers at the nelson while you workout
you’re already leaking out of every pore on your skin enough, do you want to add tears to this mix?
2) Your humor has regressed to only “deez nuts” and “your mom” jokes
You and your suitemates make jokes like middle school boys. You only communicate via these jokes. Enough asking people about the stigma.
3) You’re re-starting Bojack Horseman. Again.
This one is self explanatory (and also self destructive)
4) You compulsively refresh your email for entire class periods
There’s nothing like getting a fresh email and feeling important, but please take notes during lecture.
5) You’re listening to your middle school screamo playlist at the nelson
Maybe you just have questionable music taste? How do you workout like this?
6) The vegan kimchi ramen from the andrews store is your meal of choice
I mean, yea it’s good but like, meal of choice good? You really want it over a vdub taco bowl or an ivy room smoothie? Bruh
7) You have a mental breakdown when your stockpile of the vegan kimchi ramen from the andrews store is depleted
You’re seriously way too emotionally invested in that ramen
8) You keep thinking about high school
You hated high school! Get those rose colored glasses OFF and stop romanticizing the past
9) The only time you feel fulfilled is when your outfits are color coordinated
Matching your scrunchie, eye makeup, and shoes is not gonna fix the gaping hole in your heart, I can assure you
10) You can only watch adult cartoons
RIP to your attention span, I’m sorry only 25 minutes of bright colors and comedy can please you.
If you relate to any of these (or, multiple or… all?), please email counseling@health.brown.edu
Image via. Lucy Lebowitz