I’ve known since I was a kid that I’m depressed. I even have infant photos of me, where I look like I just hate life. Other baby photos the baby is smiling, and interested in everything. Whereas I look like even though I’m too young to even have thoughts, I’m still giving off body language of “leave me alone”.
But when I started asking everyone I knew if they too were depressed, I haven’t gotten one single person to say that they’re happy. Everyone has said they’re depressed. So now I wonder if it’s a regional thing, or if everyone everywhere is depressed.
I’m not depressed.
That’s not to say I don’t have periods where I need to allow myself to withdraw to process deep hardship or grief. However, I am capable of escaping it once I get sick of my own wallowing. Luckily, this typically only happens every handful of years.
Otherwise, I’m pretty content.
“Happiness” isn’t a sustainable state of mind. Contentment can be.