How Depression Changes Time And Drains Emotional Energy

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 The Heavy Clock: When Time Becomes a Burden

Depression and time perception are linked in a way that feels almost physical. I used to believe that my inability to "keep up" with the day was a lack of discipline or a failure of character. However, I eventually realized that when depression rises, the very fabric of time seems to stretch. A single afternoon can feel like a week, and a simple task like washing a dish can feel like a mountain climb.

Most people don't realize that this isn't just a "mood"—it is a physiological shift. Your brain is essentially recalibrating its relationship with movement, reward, and the outside world. This space, Not Just Me, exists to dismantle the shame surrounding these experiences. This post promises a shift in perspective: you aren't moving too slow; your system is simply operating under a different set of physical laws.

Depression and time perception illustration
When Time Feels Heavy: Navigating the slow days of depression.


This space at Not Just Me is dedicated to exploring how we move beyond the isolation of these conditions. This post explores how we can bridge that gap through integration and Mind Body Wellness.

Not Just Me : Finding Myself Beyond Anxiety and Depression
https://notjustmeproject.blogspot.com/



The Science of the "Slow Down"

In the world of psychology, this heaviness is known as psychomotor retardation. It is a documented clinical symptom where depression slows down your thoughts, your speech, and your physical movements. This happens because depression alters the dopaminergic pathways in the brain—the same pathways that regulate motivation, motor control, and our internal sense of timing.

When your brain’s reward system is dampened, the "cost" of movement feels exponentially higher. Your nervous system enters a state of high-conservation mode. It’s not that you are choosing to be slow; it’s that your brain is processing the world at a lower frequency to save what little energy it has left. Understanding this reduces the shame of "not doing enough"—it is a biological reality, not a lack of effort.

Read Stop Racing Thoughts at Night: The 3-Minute Brain Dump


Why Depression Drains Emotional Energy

The most painful part of depression and time perception is the mental friction it creates. You look at the clock, see that three hours have passed while you’ve done "nothing," and immediately begin a cycle of self-criticism. This constant internal battle is what truly drains your emotional energy.

You are effectively fighting two wars: one against the depression itself, and one against your own judgment of how you "should" be feeling. This friction keeps your nervous system in a state of stress, which actually drains more of your limited energy. When you fight the slowness, you are trying to redline an engine that is out of oil. The goal of Mind-Body Wellness is to stop fighting the clock and start working with the body you have today.


Are you tired of defending your character? Learn why toxic people create a "fictional version" of you and how to finally stop editing their script. I wrote a guide on how to survive the "integration zone" of healing. Read it here: https://recoveringmeproject.blogspot.com/



The Soojz Method: Practicing Somatic Pacing

To integrate this experience, we have to change the metric of success. Here is how we navigate the heavy days:

Adopt "Micro-Schedules"

When time feels too heavy to carry, stop looking at the day as a 24-hour block. Break it down into 15-minute increments. If 15 minutes feels too long, look only at the next task: “I am going to stand up.” By shrinking the container of time, you make the load lighter for your nervous system to process.

Utilize Somatic Pacing

If movement feels like climbing uphill, start with "micro-movements." Wiggle your toes, rotate your wrists, or simply notice the rise and fall of your chest. This signals to your brain that movement is safe and possible without requiring a massive energy expenditure. It keeps the "motor" idling so it doesn't stall out completely.

The Non-Efficiency Metric

Today, the goal is not to be "efficient." The goal is to be present. Acknowledge the weight. Instead of saying, "I wasted the morning," try saying, "My system required a period of deep rest this morning." This shift in language signals safety to your amygdala, which is the first step in eventually regaining momentum.


"If silence is the blueprint for growth, then this music is the air that fills the room. Quiet Peace : Back to Me was born from the realization that I am my own safe haven." 



Lessons from the Molasses: My Personal Testing

In my real experiments with the Soojz Project, I noticed that the more I judged my slowness, the slower I actually became. I observed that "Functional Freeze" thrives on shame. When I finally gave myself permission to move at a "glacial pace," I found that I actually recovered my energy faster.

I found that on the heaviest days, my work as an artist and author didn't need "speed"—it needed "honesty." By writing from the slow place, I reached people who felt just as stuck as I did. I learned that your worth is not a variable based on your output. You are valuable even when you are standing still.



Reclaiming Your Pacing: A Natural Conclusion

Depression can make time feel like an enemy, but it is actually a signal. It is your body’s way of asking for a temporary withdrawal from the "fast" world. At The Soojz Project, we believe that healing happens when you stop measuring your life by the clock and start measuring it by your own internal rhythm.

The heaviness will eventually lift, and the clock will speed up again. But for today, if time is slow, let it be slow. You are not "behind" in life; you are simply navigating a difficult terrain. Every slow breath you take is a win. Every micro-movement is an act of courage. You are doing enough, simply by being here.

Your Action List:

  1. Shrink the Goal: Pick one task and give yourself an hour to do it—without guilt.

  2. Acknowledge the Gravity: Tell yourself, "It makes sense that this feels hard right now."

  3. Find the Stillness: Spend five minutes simply noticing how time feels, without trying to change it.

3 Key Takeaways:

  • Core Idea: Slowness is a biological protective state, not a character flaw.

  • Practical Action: Use micro-schedules to make the day feel manageable.

  • Mindset Shift: Your worth is independent of your motor speed.

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