Is anyone else having a depressing summer?

OP, I just came back from a week in Europe. I went solo, because I'm single. While I enjoyed Austria and Hungry, I feel sort of disconnected from everything. I guess that’s what happens when you are alone. The world is also politically very unstable so, on a macro-level it’s anxiety inducing. On a micro-level, my needs are all met minus love and affection.

Summer is a very social season, so latent issues can spring up in you. It’s the happiest time of year for many, but I’m not having a ball.

100%

The humidity is giving me brain fog. In this area if you don't everything outside done by June 10th, it's too late. And people have been popping fireworks at night for a solid week.

No but it's been humid and in the 90s for about a week and I'm getting tired of that. Bring on the low 80s.

Sorry, OP, but I feel fine.

I feel like shit today

I went outside. Scratched in the yard.

All i ever do is clean house.

This political situation and not having enough work have left me an anxious mess. I'm barely sleeping at night and barely functional during the day. I've been grim and sad most of this spring/summer. Oh, well.

Thanks for your replies, guys. I’m trying to practice gratitude, go to the gym every day, eat semi healthy and just push thru, getting drudgery done and trying to focus outward by helping others. But I still feel like a grumpy old man lately

YES. Grumpy and depressed, not really this way ever. It sucks. I think the election and general uncertainty are making me bummed out and anxious.

Yes. I think I need to make some new friends. But it's very difficult at the age of 48.

Same R11. I have always been happy, this summer is throwing me for a loop in terms of mood and overall sense of well-being. Hope you feel better soon!

Yeah I just can't seem to get myself interested in anything. And trying to fake it is exhausting. I think I'm just an introvert who had to push himself for too many decades that I'm done.

We are under spiritual attack.

Soon, AI will take over and the US will fall under a dictatorship, with the other first world countries not far behind.

We are also rapidly killing the planet, and people with means (Musk, Bezos) are selfish tech bros with no interest in playing a positive role.

It's a grim time to be alive.

I was fine until two weeks ago when I got covid pretty bad, I think for the first time. still no sense of smell, congestion in my ears so can't hear so great, was off the past week but was depressed, no energy or motivation to do anything, the heat doesn't help, stayed in mostly and slept a lot. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work. This is not what I planned or expected.

Oh no, R16! I am sorry to hear. Better days ahead.

You sound like a great person, R10.

I hope all the good seeds you’re planting come up and blossom for you.

Summertime sadness? A little bit here and there, but nothing like it's 2013 again.

I've felt rather out of sorts too: global warming, Biden's public meltdown, SCOTUS's (continued) power grab and every where I go, that fat canned ham of face of Shitler is everywhere. I've tried to start meditating, letting go, all that - at one point does that serenity thing finally kick in? I feel as cross as ever.

R20 a prescription from someone like you is to detox from too much news intake. Spend 24 hrs without clicking on any news story or watching any news on TV. Your mind and spirit needs it.

Serenity now

hi Debs

You shook my tits and you rattled my cunt

Aren’t we all?

Except MAGA scum.

I feel like I need to make preparations for an impending disaster. I have approximately three months of food and water saved now. I purchased a backup portable AC in case my 30-year-old Central gas furnace and air conditioning decides to give it up so at least one room can be cool. I put my cat carrier out just to have it ready, my cat now sleeps in it 18 hours a day. My gym workouts are now more focused on flexibility, strength, and endurance rather than esthetics. I'm not depressed, but have a feeling of foreboding darkness ahead.

It has been too hot and humid and now the remnants of Beryl are heading to the northeast with humidity and downpours.

turn off all social media and relax with a good flick. Forget about hurricane Beryl and enjoy Beryl Reid in Robert Aldrich's The Killing of Sister George

Thanks r28, I'll take you up on that.

I have been cranky in general but no reason to be. I’m broke but that is par for the course for me. I’ve actually been more active and my physical health has actually improved, but July is always a horrible month for me. It’s dull and too damn hot.

Do so R29 The film was Rated X (No one under 17 admitted) when it was released Probably due to the long scene between York and Coral Browne featured in the trailer.

Yes, very depressed.

I found out my ex, from many years ago, died unexpectedly last week.

He died alone, likely from a drug overdose.

I regret that we didn’t get to catch up one last time. He meant a lot to me and I never told him.

On top of that the heat here has become oppressive, I worry about my aging dog, losing my mind, and I’ve gotten chubby (25 pounds overweight)

I can’t sleep anymore without drinking 2-3 Guinness stout, which doesn’t help the weight.

I miss my city, but it’s eroding with each death and business that closes, we’ve become strangers.

I miss my friends, my youth

And I’m fucking agoraphobic and can’t leave the house without having a massive panic attack.

I feel trapped.

I’m a little anxious inside. No reasonable person could not be right now. But I’m plugging along.

I’m sitting with my dying friend. I had to put my cat down last week. July has been extremely shitty so far.

It's taken me over a week to recover from covid. Luckily I was off from work the past 5 days but all I did was sleep. It's made me depressed, lots of negative thoughts and ruminations. I really take care of myself and I'm surprised & disappointed how it has really knocked me on my ass for so long. I finally feel myself again today. Smell is coming back. Ears are congested, which is a huge annoyance. I'm actually looking forward to going to work today. I enjoy what I do and most of the people I work with.

Oppressive heat always makes me depressed.

[quote]I'm not depressed, but have a feeling of foreboding darkness ahead.

It's about how I feel. I also hurt my Achilles tendon and can't do my normal walking/running and spending more time reading the doom and gloom articles on Political Wire.

This NYC heatwave is killing me. Really brutal.

HANG ON, YOU GUYS. I need this place!

No. I’m having hot sex with a 22 yr old and I feel great.

Better than last summer. Relax and have an Arnold Palmer or a Pimm’s cup or something, OP.

I've been crying a lot the last few days. So many sad circumstances. Life is just overwhelming me right now. And it's hard to find the strength to push ahead.

Try

Yes. Very much so.

I was sideswiped with Bacterial Pneumonia that led into a now two week sinus infection. A Z-pack and Augmentin regimen didn't accomplish much aside than shifting things from my lungs to my sinuses (blockage started within the first 24 hours of antibiotics).

I've also got epic work drama playing out and perpetual money issues, but no more than usual on the latter.

I also will openly disclose that I have suffered from MDD much of my life so I might be only capable of providing some seriously biased responses. But everything is bad, has been bad and is going to only get worse and never better ever again for the rest of time The planet. Our politics. Our everything.

Oh god

My ass is having a conniption fit!

This thread needs some Stefon!

YES. All this shit with Biden and the possibility of another Trump term is making me very, very depressed.

A lot of us are in that same boat R48

Sounds like this is on all our iPods...

Yes OP Richard Simmons; he just got Farrahed by Trump

Yes. I gave up smoking weed a year ago and I'm thinking about starting back up again.

90+ degree weather in the south here is no fun. Even at the beach, the heat was miserable. My outside activities are focused mostly on the early mornings and late afternoons.

This is the worst summer of my life. I got covid for the first time, even after it was over I was exhausted, slept constantly, very negative almost psychotic thoughts. I lost my sense of smell, my hearing is very compromised. I went back to work and everyone called out sick (I know there are not), dealing with very sick, violent patients. Then had a terrible experience on the A train on my way to The Joyce, basically a black "man" threatening death and intimidating White and Asian passagers. I am buying pepper spray today and making plans to move to a more sane place.

I have Covid right now. Last month I woke up in excruciating pain with sciatica. First time for both. Worst summer ever.

Why do you put man in quotation marks R54?

It's a cruel summer.

I strongly dislike summer and most of them have been depressing but I’m doing my best to enjoy all seasons and this one had been surprisingly good for me

The thought that after November we will have to accept the fact that Trump will be leading our nation for at least 4 years, and his acolytes probably for the rest of our lifetimes: this has made this summer the worst I can recall. Most of my friends are equally gloomy so it's hard to celebrate the warm weather when your brain and everyone else's are having such cold thoughts

Yes. The political news has been so bad that we've totally changed our viewing habits. We used to watch MSNBC almost nightly for at least two hours, often more. No longer. I've shut most of it off. Even the Trump news over the weekend. I didn't watch one newscast about it.

Several weeks ago, I saw my doctor who said I had a sinus infection and that I was dehydrated, causing my kidney function to be reduced. We went to visit my younger son and within an hour of arrival, I became violently ill. I vomited all night long, at least twice an hour. I kept bringing up mucus. I was so gross. Apparently, I had either food poisoning or a viral infection. I can't remember ever being that ill. I went to an urgent care place and they also found an arrythmia.

I'm also not speaking to my older son. We have plans to visit him in a couple of weeks but that is iffy right now. It seems we'll miss my granddaughter's birthday as it stands now.

On the plus side, I've lost weight. All that vomiting took its toll. When I was recovering, I ate very little. I didn't have much of an appetite which had everyone worried. Eating (and cooking) is one of my joys in life. My partner and my son were very concerned about my loss of appetite. I think it may have been a bit psychosomatic, due to all the vomiting. I found I was eating because it's delicious and not because I was hungry. So, I've vastly cut down on my food intake. I'm eating probably a third of what I was before and I've lost 19 lbs. I'm just about down to my normal overweight self and I fit into my clothes.

The news just snuck in that Cannon dismissed the documents case. Fuck

Back to normal programming

Doing okay, but it took and takes a lot of fucking work, boundaries, and constant self-review. There's enough beauty and joy and appreciation and love in this existential nightmare of a world to be worth fighting fight for.

Because a real man doesn't act like that or do that to other people, R55.

I agree, R60. After this terrible experience on the A train (I have been harrassed and mugged before a few times) I had a very hard time focusing on the music and the extraordinary dancers from all over the world. I just feel many people think they can kill us for being White, Asian, Jewish, highly functional, intelligent people.

^^ and the MSM is inciting them.

I am fortunate that as a retiree, I have income to live comfortably. Some health issues, but managing them. I have a few close, dependable friends. I know I am lucky but feel increasingly down and out of sorts. So distraught at times over the large issues of the times. The rise of Trumpism and the willingness of media to enable him, the obvious inadequacy of our court system from the SC down, climate change, covid and its aftermath, the apparent rejection of democracy world wide, etc.

I vote, contribute to candidates I feel might affect things, donate to various causes, do a bit of volunteer work. None of it staves off the creeping feeling of things are getting wronger and wronger and nothing I do will matter.

Just listen to Peggy and keep dancing.

It's too damn hot.

Not me. It’s been a great summer. Greater than I had planned greater than I had prayed for—-Bless the Lord.

If this summer gets any better it’s going to be the best summer in USA history

USA USA USA

Trump and all his shit overshadowing everything. We’re in for something so big and bad and the right is enjoying the easy ride to authoritarianism. Well you asked.

Summer so depressing that not even trashing Ellen thread is helpful ,it was for a while till Saturdays failed event.

The heat factor is no worse than average. But my work situation unexpectedly took a turn for the worse. I was feeling like the office pariah for a while. Still do, kind of.

Thank you R17

Well I am now...

Suddenly, brutal summer 🥵

It's Summertime& the living is easy!! Things that I can't control, I do not stress about them.

Finally, I got wise at the age of 63 yrs old!!

Yep. I’m underemployed, drinking a little too much and haven’t been to the gym in weeks. That coupled with the nuclear heat and encroaching fascism and it’s safe to say I’m fucking miserable.

The rich liberals are less worried about Trump. I’m not that and quite concerned.Disabled on fixed income. With ‘’Shitler’’ at the helm this will probably be my last summer.

R506 - That sounds like a delicious variation. Hell, mine was a variation but still sticks to cannoli basics, as does yours. As for your second variation, I don't think it would work as an icebox cake because by definition, you're baking something. However, I think it would work if you made it as a Paris-Brest variation.

I’m having a terrific summer! Sucks to be you, OP.

Some rich fags can live with Trump tearing up the constitution.

OP, where did you go to on vacation?

I quit weed in April still dealing with the depression/anxiety which absolutely killed my libido, and this has made socializing in the gay community a no-go. I'm also left with the realization that I am in the midst of a major midlife crisis that will take a lot of work to crawl out of. Essentially I am a cliche and a man child with no sex drive and now it's time to grow up. So this has been a dog day summer indeed.

Of course it's depressing. Trump is going to destroy what's left of the US.

It's like were all in stage four cancer.

OP, thanks for sharing. I’m having a really difficult summer. Work stress and super heavy family stress has left me feeling like I’m wearing an invisible lead apron every day. It’s wreaking havoc on my mood and spirits. I’m wired to be a positive, happy person but shit is rather brutal lately. Reading this thread makes me realize we’re all fighting our secret battles. Hang tough, everyone.

I quit my 25+ year job in April after management made it clear it wasn’t going to fix a very toxic situation. Final nail in the coffin, I guess.

I bopped around for two months…traveled, spent time with friends and family, and kind of felt like me again.

Then I accepted a job at a city agency that’s a mess and I’m all out of sorts again. Yeah, the politics thing has me on edge too.

I started volunteering on weekends and do some extra stuff on social media. I think it helps.

I saw a meme going around that said it feels like all of us are working for a company about to have layoffs.

R84, that is awesome you are volunteering. That is very cool that you’re turning outward and helping others.

R83, I am sorry you are having work and family stress this summer. I love the description of an invisible lead apron, we have been there. I hope it resolves soon.

R81, you can do it if you put your mind to it. I believe in you.

Like R82 it feels like a terminal disease slowly sweeping the country.All we have is our vote as we try to keep the Trump-cancer from getting too close.

Family of grifters on verge of return to power-forever. That’s depressing.

I'm already resigned to a Trump victory. I'm depressed about it but it's beyond my control. My partner has a business so we're kind of trapped here.

I’m glad I’m not the only one concerned and depressed over political situation but it’s no less worrisome After Russians in the Oval Office 2017 I knew it was a matter of time.

Seek help R89 Your syntax is awful!

Some background music for this thread

Half the country is having a great summer.

OP Joy Behar She's been miserable for 10 years: before, during and after Trump's presidency.

Why is everyone having a "depressing summer". It's Summertime, and the living is easy!!

Next week, wedding on Lake Michigan, all my kids are flying in for the wedding.

R93, I've called her Unjoy Behar for years.

My summer just got better

Not no more. I'm with her.

Joyless Behar R95

[quote]OP: Even a vacation to my favorite place didnt do any good.

Rikers?

I feel a bit more hopeful now Biden won’t run. Still much to do but hopeful.

My younger friend stopped by and helped me finish two bottles of Sofia Coppola Brut Rose and nine coconut shrimp this afternoon. She’s jobless (and not someone used to being out of work: 25 years in marketing for VC, John Hancock, Paramount, etc.) and if anyone should be depressed, it’s her and she’s not. She has a cushion for the rest of the year, but the next month or two is not when people are hiring. If anyone should be depressed, it’s her. She’s looking at 50, alone, twice divorced, and enjoying the summer.

I am too, but I’m retired. I would not want to be her right now much less looking for work but outwardly, anyway, she sounded pretty upbeat.

Yes OP. Not horrible depression but feeling anxious and a bit hopeless. I hate the heat and I just feel old.

Grateful for my health but definitely a weird summer.

I suddenly feel much better.

Not depressed but tons of ambient anxiety, mostly due to my aging parents and their drastically devolving health situations.

Now I am.

I'm very concerned with the recent turn of events. I feel the presidential election is now going to be like a wrestling match playing into our political divisions. To be honest I'm going to support Ms Harris however I do not feel she is the best person for the job she is just the best alternative to Armageddon

I know I am, OP.

R32 Another agoraphobic here . My work is all remote — the little I have. Finalizing divorce and will have to move. Crap everywhere . Borderline hoarder — but not trash.

All I want to do is sleep. Forced myself to go outside today and walk a half a block . Have terrible heartburn but ordered Tums on Amazon rather then sling my lazy ass in car and buy some.

I have history of depression but this is extra large bucket full

[quote] I know I am, OP.—Joe Biden

Don't worry old Joe. You'll forget all about it when summer's over.

The news cycle is depressing as hell.

I'm pale as a ghost. Working too hard and not getting any sunshine.

Summer just accentuates how much time I'm losing to things that give me no joy. Juxtaposed against the sunny weather, it a constant reminder at this time of year.

Summer depression is a real thing.

I was having a great summer. But no I then had to go and open this thread. Now I am looking for my 45.

You need to find a happy thing to look forward to and fixate on it. Do you have your tickets for Sutton in Mattress yet? Audra in Gypsy?

Idina, Kristin, Jennifer Simard and Megan Hilty are all returning to Broadway this season as well. This is reason to celebrate. Not to mention Patti and Mia in The Roommate.

How could anyone be depressed with this bounty of good news?

R112 youre sweet and awesome. I love your attitude

Hey guys, just wanted to check in. It’s me, OP, hoping you all are doing ok. Dont get too depressed please. This thread’s intent was a “semi-misery loves company” seeking comfort from others having a similar experience, it was not intended to make anyone feel worse than they do.

Every day I try to do some good deeds and help others and truly it does help make me feel better to help others. Just wanted to send you all a good wish and hope youre doing all right. Better days ahead.

R114 OP Are you Catholic? You are Saint like in the work you will do to make everyone else feel better.

“A sweltering boilfest” - The Sun ☀️ Times

Sorry, OP--I had a depressing summer last year and it was awful.

But this summer has been great for me. I hope like for me things pick up for you.

I'm having a pretty good Summer. Eight years ago, I lost my Mom in July of 2016. That started a domino effect as I then lost my brother in March and one of my sisters in May, about 9 weeks later. I try to be positive and look at the present as a gift. I'm now older than my sister was when she died and I'm the youngest.

Stop watching the news and find somethng to make you laugh or at least, amuse you. My new favorite distration is watching Customer Wars, Road Wars, and Neighborhood Wars on A&E. They are no so much arts as they are entertainment these days, but it's better than watching the news on an endless loop.

My Apt is replacing the roof. In the middle of July in the hottest year on record. Our AC has been off for 3 days. They’re plugging up our fireplaces too.

You don't need to use your fireplace in July.

July has been 3 months long

Something about August has always depressed me.

I hope you fellow summer depression sufferers are doing okay!

Same R122. And it’s been worse this summer with the endless oppressive humidity and rain.

Go to the beach! You can’t be unhappy at the beach.

R124 This is true

Not necessarily, R125

My partner has just left me after a dozen year relationship.

I am gutted. Nothing to do with summer. But somehow it always seems like bad things happen in the summer.

I am beyond depressed. Can't get out of bed. Datalounge is my only source of communication with the world right now.

I don't know if I will make it.

r127 you will survive. I know that is cliched, but you will survive.

I am in a similar situation, although nothing as serious as yours. A good friend of mine (there were sexual overtones, although we never acted on them) abruptly cut me off in May. No explanation, other than "I'm not feeling social anymore, and I fear it is permanent. Rest assured, it's nothing to do with you." We live in separate cities, and some part of me thinks he was diagnosed with a serious illness that he didn't want to disclose. Then a couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, he sent a message as if nothing had happened. It included a question, so I responded, and he still hasn't gotten back to me yet. This was after years of daily or near daily communication with him. NEVER a week went by without communicating. He meant a lot to me.

Earlier in the summer, I was starting to get over him, and then he had to go and give me a little bit of hope. Sigh. I'm right back where I started.

I'm far from over it and devastated.

R128- I think you should block this friend. He’s going to continue to dip in and dip out and throw you in a feelings salad spinner each and every time. You deserve better. I know it’ll be hard because you’ll feel like you’re permanently shutting a door, but I suspect it will ultimately save you years of mind games. Good luck.

More apprehensive. Intense heat, construction, wildfire threat, election worries….

Thanks, r129. I sense as much, and I am going to be the one who needs to close the door. He'll never close it all the way and will keep coming back.

R128 I am seeing this.....

No OP, I love summer and it always goes by too fast.

I got fired from a job where I’d worked for 27 years so, yeah.

R134 Sorry to hear that. It's tough. Same situation here, but 18 years. I was hoping to make it another 2 years to retire at age 67 plus so I can collect full SS. It's difficult to find a comparable job at my age.

Let’s see … my dad died in June and I feel like I lost my anchor. I had to cancel vacation. My boyfriend of almost 20 years stuck around for the funeral but then went on the trip. We’re kind of on a break right now. My a/c broke during the summer-long heatwave and it took two weeks to get fixed. I had a horrible case of Covid that turned into a raging sinus infection so have been sick over three weeks. And my cat died of cancer last week.

I can’t wait for this summer to be over.

Wow, it can only get better. Hang on, be very positive, and also let the DL help you heal

I don’t feel depressed (due to medication), but I’m very isolated. I’m on holidays until September and my summer so far has me only interacting with my parents and 2 brothers. I do stuff like daily longs walks and have been out of town for the day twice by myself, but my friendship circle is very limited. I’m 59. It’s been like this for years. I’m very introverted. I know this isn’t healthy.

To R136...WOW!! Everything but the HOUNDS OF HELL nipping at your heels.

I've been depressed since my spouse died five years ago next month. I enjoy things but I'll never be truly happy again. Aren't you glad you asked, OP?

When I'm feeling exceptionally down, I remember the things about him that annoyed me to no end. That takes the edge off the sadness somewhat. It works for me.