Seasonal depression makes me feel like a different person each winter

Depression
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Every winter I feel like I turn into a different person. My energy drops, I stop wanting to see people, and even basic stuff feels weirdly difficult. It’s frustrating because I know it usually lifts when the days get longer, but that doesn’t make the darker months easier.

I’ve been trying to get outside earlier and keep my sleep schedule steady, though I’m not always consistent. The hardest part is not blaming myself for feeling this way. Does anyone else notice a big change in their mood once winter starts?

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Michael, the part about not blaming yourself is huge. I used to treat every missed plan or messy room like proof I was failing, which only made winter feel heavier.

What helped me most was using a light therapy lamp in the morning while drinking coffee, even on days when I didn’t feel like doing anything else. I also kept one low-effort social plan each week, like a short phone call or lunch nearby. Having it scheduled made isolation less automatic.