Therapy Mini: Is This Depression or Am I Just Tired of Everything?
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness... sometimes it looks like surviving on empty.
Depression doesn’t always announce itself
Many people don’t recognise depression because it doesn’t match what they expect. You might still be working, parenting, showing up, replying to messages etc but inside, something feels flat, heavy, or quietly unbearable. Depression often hides behind exhaustion, numbness, irritability, or the feeling that life has lost its colour. It’s not always crying or staying in bed; sometimes it’s functioning while feeling completely disconnected from yourself.
What depression can really feel like
Depression might sound like:
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“I don’t feel sad… I just don’t feel much at all.”
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“Everything feels like effort.”
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“I’m tired all the time, even after rest.”
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“I know I should care — but I can’t access it.”
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“I’m getting through the days, not living them.”
This is why so many people minimise it - because it doesn’t look dramatic!
It looks quiet... private... internal.
Depression isn’t weakness; it’s overwhelm without relief
Depression often develops when:
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stress has gone on too long
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emotions haven’t had space to be processed
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responsibility outweighs support
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you’ve had to keep going without pause
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you’ve learned to cope instead of feel
It’s the nervous system saying: “I can’t keep carrying this alone.”
Yet, many people tell themselves:
“Others have it worse.”
“I should be grateful.”
“I’m just lazy.”
Depression thrives in self-blame and silence.
Why depression is so easy to miss
Because you might:
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still smile
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still work
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still care for others
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still show up
But inside, you feel:
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empty
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dulled
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detached
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hopeless without knowing why
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disconnected from joy
Depression doesn’t always stop life, sometimes it drains it slowly.
What helps... gently
Naming it without judgement
You don’t need a label to deserve support, but recognising what’s happening matters.
Less fixing, more understanding
Depression isn’t solved by “trying harder", it softens when it’s understood.
Small moments of connection
One honest conversation in one place where you don’t have to perform.
Counselling gives depression somewhere to land
A space where you don’t have to explain why you’re tired of being strong... where nothing is rushed and where you’re met as you are.
A Moment to Breathe
Pause for a moment and let your breath slow, even slightly.
Ask yourself:
If I stopped judging how I’m feeling, what might I notice instead?
You don’t need to have the answer, just the permission to ask.
Closing — An invitation
If this feels familiar; if you’re functioning but struggling, coping but empty, you’re not alone, and you’re not failing.
Depression is not a personal flaw, it’s a human response to carrying too much for too long.
If something in this post resonated and you’d like to explore counselling with me, you can get in touch through my contact form here. I’d love to hear from you.
For Every Story | Therapy Mini Series
Therapy Minis are bite-sized blogs by Simone Bell of Simone Bell Counselling. Each post takes an honest look at the thoughts, feelings, and everyday experiences that shape us - because every story matters, including yours.