The Sad Girl Epidemic

The Sad Girl Epidemic.  As a girl who usually loves to be swallowed into this self-pity, engulfed in a blanket of reflection and nostalgia; this year I decided to change that.

I reluctantly cut out the sad literature, watched summer romcoms and listened to everything but the works of Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine. And I honestly cannot see myself ever returning. The effects of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) are common amongst many during the winter months, but this is only elevated by the way we choose to live. The typical Sad Girl chooses to embrace this moody period, allowing themselves to succumb to sorrow. Whereas what we should be doing is facing it head on, consuming media which makes you wake up everyday without the desire to rot.

For instance, commit to a digital detox. Being sad is so terribly normalised across social
media during the Autumn and Winter season, so — rewrite it. Find new hobbies, go out with friends, do not let a little chill in the air stop you from experiencing life first hand rather than through a screen. Or, focusing on the many celebrations at this time of year, whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, Diwali, or Hanukkah, embrace the season and more importantly, embrace friends and family. Focus on building a life around you, not leaving it to freeze until summer arrives again.

But more than anything, learn to romanticise joy in the same way we romanticise sadness. The Sad Girl Aesthetic has taught us that pain is poetic, that melancholy means depth, and while there’s truth in that, there’s also beauty in being content. There’s something quietly powerful about choosing laughter, even when everything around you encourages gloom. Imagine replacing your playlist of yearning ballads with songs that make you want to dance in your kitchen. Imagine trading late-night crying sessions for spontaneous winter walks under fairy lights, warm drink in hand, reminding yourself that this time of year doesn’t have to feel like an ending, but a soft reset.

It’s also about allowing duality — because happiness doesn’t need to erase introspection.
You can still find comfort in slow mornings, journaling, or that bittersweet movie, but balance it with moments that spark light. Call the friend you’ve been meaning to see, bake something new, or start planning next year’s adventures. Happiness takes effort; it’s an active choice, not a passive state. And don’t worry, this isn’t to say that you can’t consume your favourite heartbreak film, set in the classic Autumnal New York. You simply just need healthy mood swings; something to keep your brain active and not in a stagnant emotional state. 

So, listen to Lana, but then watch a quintessential Steve Carell comedy. Winter is simply a balancing act — one where we can hold both the softness of nostalgia and the spark of joy, without letting either consume us.

By Charlotte Thirkettle