Weekends, for most, are expected to be time for relaxation, leisure, and recharging. However, for me, especially, weekends can bring about unexpected challenges while I am grappling with my depression. While weekends are typically associated with positive emotions, I’ve had to acknowledge the hidden risks that can impact my depression.
- Social Isolation: One significant risk during weekends is social isolation. The sudden absence of routine activities like work leads to extended solitude. Not that I mind solitude, but sometimes, a lack of social interaction intensifies my loneliness and contributes to disconnection from the world.
My best mates moved “oop norf” a year ago, leaving me on my own in a shit job and with no social network, which impacted me badly. They are not to blame; they made the right decision. I plan to move closer to where they currently live soon. - Disruption of Routine: Weekends often disrupt the structured routine that provides me with some stability and structure with my depression. A sudden shift from structured weekdays to unstructured weekends can sometimes lead to feelings of aimlessness and uncertainty.
- Pressure for Productivity: The pressure to make the most of weekends and engage in enjoyable activities can sometimes overwhelm me. The inability to meet the expectations of others, such as colleagues, results in heightened feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism. Those “get up to anything nice this weekend” conversations are something I dread. After a time, I just started to answer, “No, I didn’t do anything.” People didn’t know how to react. Weekend activities seemed like another chance for one-upmanship.
While, for many, weekends are generally associated with relaxation and enjoyment, it’s essential to recognize and address the potential risks they pose while dealing with depression.
These days, I try to implement strategies to combat social isolation, maintain a routine, and manage the perception of productivity pressures. No law states weekends must be filled with social enrichment, excitement, and activities better than everyone else’s.
It’s perfectly OK not to do anything at the weekend; sometimes it’s the right thing to do, to do absolutely nothing.
Until next time, be kind to yourself, do something, or do nothing; listen to your mind & body.
ᗷIOᑎIᑕᗷEᗩᖇᑌK 
One response to “Weekend Blues & Navigating Depression”
There are days when I feel I want to do nothing, have people in my life who refer to that as wasting the day. I disagree, we must be able to do nothing sometimes because life is hard, dealing with the world is difficult and I sometimes need to be out of if and when that happens, the best weekends are ones where you don’t do anything.
Loved seeing those sentiments from another.
LikeLike