I can’t seem to feel happy anymore and I’m not sure why. Since I began uni (a year ago) I’ve never quite enjoyed my day to day life as much as I used to and I spiral into periods of very low mood. I feel rather alone, exhausted and quite pathetic.
I do try and look after myself, I see my friends, I make sure I get exercise. I even do some volunteering during the week. These activities bring me some temporary happiness but the rest of the time I feel empty. The bit that is confusing is that I don’t really have anything to be sad about. Aside from my mother’s recent brain tumour recovery there’s nothing else. I confided in a friend about the way I’ve been feeling and he said that I was bored. Do you have any suggestions that might help?
You certainly sound like you have been trying to do things that would improve your mood but they haven’t been enough. You say this low mood started when uni began however, you don’t say whether you enjoy your course or how you have faired in regards to your grades. Often if we don’t find meaning or purpose in our life direction/study, this can contribute to feeling empty. If your course direction is of concern to you it would be useful to speak to a course advisor in your faculty or to the Careers Service which is in the Baldwin Spencer Building.
Sometime people find it hard to make the transition from school to university. School is far more structured, however at uni you are expected to be more self directed. Also young people, and I am assuming you are one, can feel a lost in a wider social world. If you are a mature age student returning to study from the workforce then uni can also be daunting.
Having your mother diagnosed with a brain tumour can also be pretty scary. Even though she may now be recovering it can still be emotionally difficult. The potential loss of your mother may not be something you had ever considered consciously but it could be playing a part in how you feel.
There are so many reasons that you could be feeling empty. I have just suggested a few, however, seeing a counsellor either at the Counselling Service or elsewhere would give you plenty of time to think this through should you want to talk about it.
