“I don’t know when was the turning point for me…how did I ever become this sad? I don’t think it just happened overnight; I think a small part of me turned blue every single day.
I think a little part of me broke every single day. The change was gradual and subtle that I didn’t notice it was happening to me.
I don’t know how to be happy anymore and I don’t even remember what it feels like to experience an ounce of happiness. I don’t even know what time of the day it is anymore, and I don’t think I even care. I feel like I’m only wasting time and space.
I want to experience that overwhelming joy of drinking that first sip of coffee. I want to look forward to Monday mornings and start the day with a grateful heart.
I want to look forward to family game night on Saturdays and I want to be able to bond with my family. I want to go on a girls’ trip to the big city and act sassy. I want to experience it all!
Sadly, this is all but a dream. I feel sad about myself for missing out on life; I feel sad about myself that I’m unable to experience any emotion other than misery.
It’s not that I don’t want to be happy…who doesn’t want to be happy? But I don’t think I’m capable of experiencing this emotion; I don’t picture myself happy! How do I stop feeling sad?”
Why Do We Experience Sadness?
In order to start feeling happy again, you need to know what’s causing this hurt. If you keep stepping on broken glass, you’re going to get a new cut every single time! So what’s holding you back? What’s causing your cuts?
1- Rejection
No matter how strong we think we are, nothing shakes us more than getting rejected. This doesn’t say that you are weak or that you rely on other people to feel love.
It’s only human to want to be accepted by others. We all want to feel like we belong and we all want to feel connected.
Did you know that feeling rejected can actually cause you to feel physical pain? Our minds are programmed to yearn for belonging to others.
2- Loss
Not only do we experience loss when someone passes away, but we also experience loss when someone intentionally chooses to walk away. And sometimes, we feel the loss even when we choose to let go. In fact, we will experience loss even if we don’t like the person we are walking away from.
3- Failure
Failure makes us doubt ourselves; it makes us feel vulnerable and helpless. When we fail, a part of us screams that we should give up, because if we don’t, we’re bound to get hurt again. The body shuts down and it doesn’t want to feel that kind of pain again.
4- Loneliness
Loneliness doesn’t mean that you’re stranded alone on an island. Loneliness is when you feel alone even when you’re with other people.
Loneliness is when you do not have a support system. Loneliness is when you feel like the closest people to your heart have failed you.
5- Lacking Purpose
What’s your purpose in life? What’s driving you? What do you live for?
Your lack of purpose might be causing this sheer amount of sadness because you have nothing to be excited about! Find the purpose that makes you get out of bed every single day and work for it. It will give your life meaning!
6- Physical Health
Did you know that the deficiency of vitamin D can cause depression-like symptoms? In fact, it may even lead to depression. Vitamin D regulates our moods and fights depression.
You can find this vitamin in various foods and you can get it from the sun. If that’s not enough, there are plenty of supplements out there that can help.
7- Depression
To experience sadness every now and then is fine; it’s even healthy to feel that way because we should be able to experience all kinds of emotions. However, if this sadness seems to be lingering and you can’t seem to do the most basic stuff, it might be more serious; you might be suffering from depression.
Depression is not an easy battle to fight alone. Depression makes everyday living a struggle; you can’t sleep, eat, or clean when you’re depressed.
Professionals are here to help you fight this battle. They will empower you with cognitive skills that will fight depression and make life exciting again.
How To Stop Feeling Sad
1- Improve your physical health
Whether you would like to admit it or not, your physical health affects your mental health. In fact, you cannot separate one from the other. If your body suffers, so will your mind.
You don’t have to go green and live in nature for you to live a healthy life. You can eat your veggies and have a burger every now and then.
You can move your body and still have a lazy day every once in a while. You can drink your alcohol in moderation as long as you drink your water too. A healthy body is all about being balanced.
2- Be mindful of your company
Don’t expect happiness to come knocking on your door if the people you hang out with are miserable. We’re naturally influenced by the energy of people surrounding us! Try to spend your time with positive people and stay away from downers.
3- Start your day with gratitude
Even when you think you have nothing to be grateful for, you actually do! Start your mornings with a grateful heart; state 3-5 things you are grateful for each day. Gratitude is not just the act of saying or writing down things you’re thankful for; it actually entices your brain to produce happy hormones.