Feeling sad all the time

I second teachkate with her idea about volunteering.
There are so many different possibilities, from soft volunteering such as meeting and greeting at a historic monument, to the tough volunteering such as prison visiting.
I have volunteered all my life, and have always found it enriching.
Another way of getting out and meeting people is local politics, if you happen to be interested. All ages are involved and it can be very sociable.

Sorry that you are feeling so low. Lots of good advice for you on here, so I will just add that I find Tisserand Sleep better Pillow Mist very useful.

I don't just use it on my pillow, I spray it around if I feel down. I find it both relaxing and uplifting.

All excellent suggestions - beginning with a trip to your GP I would also recommend looking to become a volunteer especially with homeless, refugees, vulnerable adults etc.
I can empathise with your situation, I have now taken antidepressants for a number of years and find volunteering not only widens your circle of friends, enriches your life by supporting others less fortunate than yourself and definitely makes you more thankful for all the positives in your life.
Good luck

Apologies if anyone has suggested these strategies for countering negativity already.
Biscuitmuncher It seems as if you are dwelling on things that make you unhappy. You could try to counter this by listing things that make you happy. I would advise, if you don't have mobility problems:
* that you go outside at least once a day, preferably in the morning and look at the sky (don't look directly at the sun)
* for each of the sad things you listed in your post, think of and write down something that makes you happy. You might get a pretty notebook, diary or pad to record things. You may think there's nothing but these things might be small e.g. birds singing (some e.g. robins do sing in the winter) If you put food out for the birds they will come and you can watch them. Better still, put water out and you can watch them bathing (hilarious) or wallowing (pigeons).
* Write a list of your sad things. Last thing at night, put that list in a drawer (not in your bedside drawer) and tell yourself you will look at the list tomorrow. Eventually you might forget to look at it! Take your happy list with you everywhere, look at it often, update it regularly.

These things won't take the sad things away but will distract you from dwelling on them.
* Search Google for reasons to be cheerful

Here's a list of some of the things that make me happy:
Watching the birds
A sunny day
A cloudy day - spot shapes in clouds
Going outside in the rain (I have several umbrellas)and
Photos of my family
My hobbies (sewing, karate)for
My first coffee of the day
Video chatting with my daughter
My two lovely sons
My lovely dog

You have a case of 'it all adds up'... example - infections in toenails after having them seen to professionally; broken front tooth; constant nosebleeds; arthritis playing up; eye floaters... so... take a deep breath and count your blessings... this is trite advice, I know, but it helps.

I do sympathise. One of my son's and his family are off to France for Christmas and I will miss them, but I am lucky that other family will be here. Could you arrange something for the holidays that excites you? Especially if there's things your daughter wouldn't want to do, so you won't feel guilty about her missing out.
I am so sorry about your rabbit. Don't underestimate the feelings this evokes. Pets are a huge part of family life and the fact that it is your daughter’s will also remove a link to your joint past increasing your sadness.
Maybe a visit to the doctor would be a good idea. You don't have to take medication and they can suggest other solutions.
I wish you well.

There is excellent advice on this thread about therapy, GP, doing little things that give you pleasure. Also plan in the longer term for regular enjoyable events such as lunch with a friend, see a film, etc. Booking a holiday for next year is always a positive help and a residential 3 day class in art, or some other subject or a Warners coach trip whatever suits you. Having something to look forward to is very important if you are to feel positive..

Depression and sadness are very different. Try going out for a walk if you can, say "hello" to all you meet, you might even strike up a conversation, it is amazing how much better you will feel.

I am a very healthy 82 years old with no serious medical conditions or aches and pains and enjoy life.

A few months ago I was cutting the hedges with a telescopic hedge trimmer when I tripped over the sweeping brush and banged my right shoulder into the 5 ft tall concrete fence post. I was in agony. I had an Xray and was told it was a badly bruised bone and had to wear a sling. I am right handed so for four weeks I was in a mess. Have you tried using your left hand to wipe your bottom, yuk. I could not do the things I took for granted and I was miserable, even combing my hair with my left hand was awkward, putting on tights and knickers was a no no, I was knickerless and tightless.

To cut a long story short I felt so old and useless. But once it healed I was back to my old self. Illnesses and injuries can knock us all sideways. It makes you realise how dependant we are on our health especially when we live alone.

I can identify with your feelings for a variety of reasons, and what you didn't mention is the state of the world. Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hammas , in particular.

Years ago I had many really painful things happening in my life and I was sad and tearful. One day I read about depression and realised that I was depressed. There were things making me sad but I ALSO had depression. This recognition was the beginning of change. I cried less, I changed my inner sad thoughts and I did leave depression behind. With hindsight, it would have been good if I'd looked for some kind of therapy, or read a good book on depression. I'd have recovered much sooner than I did. I wish the OP and anyone else who is feeling low and sad that you find a way ahead to a much happier place. There are people ready to care about you as you see from this thread. I wish in the past I had sooner stepped out - among other things gone out into nature, and also found someone to talk to about my sad thoughts. We really can change our thoughts and when we combine that with new behaviour it makes a real difference. With loving thoughts to you.

So sorry you are feeling low but there may be a physical cause so get that checked out first. Also make a plan for Christmas so you won't be alone. Arrange to go to a special meal, Christmas concert or panto with friends. And why not invite others you know will be alone to celebrate the day with you?

I understand your pain about Christmas, Biscuitmuncher. I have a feeling that this year will be the first year without one of my children at home. Although all have left home, the youngest has always come home for Christmas but this year, I am getting hints that it might not be happening. I know I will survive but it feels like the end of an era which I will find hard.

I think it is well worth you having a talk with your GP or one of the nurses at your surgery. Depression is a funny thing and creeps up on you, especially when everything is going awry. It is better to try to get things sorted early or at least get it ruled out.

Definitely a sign of depression. When you shed tears easily even watching a soppy tv commercial especially * those* perishing Christmas ones 🦁
GP appointment asap!

I'm not surprised you're feeling sad. Your daughter working away is empty nest syndrome and you were probably looking forward to spending time with her at Christmas, so it's painful when she's doing her own thing. You're dealing with loss.

Normally a hot bath would be a nice distraction, but when it's awkward to get in , its sad too.

Excellent advice Tuiam.

Aldom it is her not coming back that's really upset me. She's 19 so I feel Christmas, which I really enjoy is going to be a mix of missing her and worrying about her

So sorry you are feeling sad. Lots of good advice above and a very kind offer from BladeAnnie. I know that not sleeping can drag you down so hopefully you can get that sorted.
Sending a big (((hug))).

Can I just reiterate how easy it is is to slide into a depressive state without realising it. As a retired mental health nurse, I've seen it all too often and I would suggest you make an appointment to see your GP. Also I'm here if you need a chat - just send me a pm

I would talk about this with your GP.. and I would start making plans for Christmas, if you can, to see if you can spend it with friends or other family.. if that is not possible then maybe make plans to make it special for yourself.. lots of treats, books, films etc.. You could also plan to have a New Year celebration with your daughter where she can tell you about her holiday.. try to turn this situation around.. and maybe get another bunny..

Sorry you feel low. Re your daughter / Christmas - could you suggest the two of you doing something together just before or just after Christmas - going to a show, or for a meal?
Not sleeping well is not good for your health or your mood - try herbal tablets, sleep apps, refresh your bedroom (new pillows, scented candle), etc - or go to your GP?
Do you have pals or family you can talk to?
I’ve never tried it, but people say thinking of 3 good things that have happened at the end of each day helps one be more positive
Hope things feel better soon 🤞

Yes, I am with others in thinking that you are sliding into depression without realising it. Do go and see your GP, you may not need medication but you can also be referred for talking therapy, where you can talk through all the problems that beset you and have drained you of joy.

I think there is a difference between sadness/depression when you are experiencing sad events in your life (and “troubles come not single spies but in battalions”) and feeling depressed (maybe capital D) when there is no apparent reason.
The second definitely warrants medical intervention but the first will still drag you down.
You need to be fully rested to cope with all the sh*t life is throwing at you so aim for a good nights sleep(with help if herbal OTC remedies aren’t enough) and stating the obvious, you need something to brighten your life and help you keep things in perspective.
Supportive friends, , a visit to somewhere nice, a walk in the Autumn sunshine, treat yourself -all of these can help to strengthen you . I actually swore by Kalms in the dark days after DH died but good friends taking me out to lunch or coffee or just coming round for a chat made a huge difference too.
By all means see a doctor or counsellor- you can’t make the problems you quite go away, but you can help yourself to deal with them.
Also, don’t forget you don’t need to be suicidal to ring Samaritans when you really need to let it all out.

There are a few things that are causing you to feel low, but as I see it, I think your daughter going away for Christmas is the crux of your sadness.
Your daughter will have no idea of how her Christmas holiday plan is affecting her mum. Perhaps you feel rejected? She feels anticipation, excitement. She has inadvertently caused you a deep hurt. I think when we were young we've probably all hurt our parents without intending to. When I look back in life there are things I would have done or said differently. Age has made me see things from my mother's perspective.
Try not to let Christmas plans get you down. Your daughter doesn't want to hurt you, she's just being a young woman. Hoping you feel the clouds lifting before long.

You are all so kind