Is It Just Us Or Was Monday Like… The Worst Day Ever? A Therapist Explains Why

Waking up this morning, there was a feeling of exhaustion in the air. Logging onto our respective virtual meetings, checking in with friends, everyone seemed to be recovering from a severe Monday-mood hangover.

‘I woke up this morning exhausted, yesterday was just A LOT,’ a friend text my group chat. And so descended a flurry of ‘Omg same, it was the worst’ texts as we all began discussing why the hell a random Monday in October bonded us all in despondence.

There are a few obvious explanations, the second wave of the coronavirus being one of them. Just as during lockdown one when we all seemed to develop announcement anxiety in the days before Boris Johnson was set to make or break our lives for the foreseeable, lockdown two seems to be bringing back that fateful feeling of ‘What the hell is going to happen next?’.

That nervousness after months of feeling as if we were regaining some semblance of normalcy in being able to see people in person -albeit socially distanced – is entirely unwelcomed. But it also brings a new feeling, dread. We know what it’s like now to spend months at home with only a Zoom quiz to look forward to at the weekend. We know how many people were plunged into unemployment, physical or mental illness because of it. And knowing what to expect of a lockdown may bring comfort to some, for many it only raises the question of ‘How am I going to do this again?’.

For me, that feeling came when it was announced gyms were closing in Liverpool. It sounds silly, but going to the gym was the only thing making my life feel normal again while our social lives were still somewhat disrupted. It’s also the only activity proven to help dampen by mental illness symptoms, the thought of losing that and spiralling back into emotional instability is no small concern.

For others, not being able to socialise outside their house, have family over or possibly, not celebrate Christmas together, are bringing that same feeling of dread. But while we’ve all been through this before, this time there are new factors to contend with. The colder weather, for example, makes for a seemingly sad season as it is without lockdown deepening our feelings of isolation.

So is that what’s causing all of our low moods then? The idea of a second lockdown coupled with some seasonal depression? According to therapist and Counselling Directory member Frances Taylor, there are a few possible explanations.

‘It goes without saying with a potential second wave looming of Covid, this just adds to the fears people already have about the health pandemic and its impact at both local and general levels,’ she explains. ‘There is a lack of clarity around what measures could be brought in, and how it will affect what we can do.

‘Levels of vitamin D are naturally even lower when we don’t see the sun, and there are still restrictions on the health services,’ Taylor continued. ‘This can cause anxiety and depression, as people are just carrying issues around, whether linked to physical or emotional health. Waiting lists seem to keep growing, and despondency can escalate into lower mood and motivation.’

The festive season would of course normally help that, which is exactly why the caution around how we can or can’t celebrate is a factor at play.

‘Although we have term breaks and national events coming up, these too are being avoided or approached tentatively,’ explains Taylor. ‘Halloween novelty items went straight into the reduced bins, taking any fun away. The social restrictions on gatherings are making people feel what’s the point, and feel upset about missing family and friends.’

And of course, as we move into autumn we’re only now mourning a lost summer.

‘The fun things associated with summer seem like a distant memory. So many people have missed or will have to cancel holidays, it’s just another blow and feels sad. Half term thoughts of a late holiday are out of the window, and the excitement just isn’t there.’

But one major concern causing our Monday mood is of course, money.

‘Finances and a lack of stability are a huge worry causing anxiety for so many people,’ says Taylor. ‘It affects people’s mood, even going to work, fearing losing your job or having hours cut. Some people are very isolated by home working, and struggle without the interaction with colleagues. Missing breaks and clear boundaries are something many people are struggling with, and also coming to therapy for. Anxiety remains one of the most frequent issues leading people to seek support from counsellors.’

So there you have it, if yesterday seemed to be the most down you’ve felt in a long time, there are very valid reasons for that. But more importantly, you’re not alone in it.

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