When someone is feeling down, they’re not necessarily going to advertise it.
A lot of people prefer to keep their feelings to themselves, either because they don’t want to talk about the issues behind them, or because they know it’ll pass eventually, and they’d rather just get on with it. Nevertheless, you can usually tell someone isn’t quite themselves when they brush off their moods with these phrases.
1. “I’m just tired.”
This one’s a classic. Sure, they might genuinely be tired, but often it’s a go-to excuse to avoid talking about deeper emotional fatigue. It’s easier to say you’re tired than admit you’re feeling low.
2. “I’m fine.”
If you’ve ever heard this one, you know it usually means the opposite. It’s the perfect way to shut down a conversation, and most of the time, “I’m fine” really means “I’m not, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
3. “I’ve just been really busy lately.”
Blaming a low mood on being busy is a way of brushing off the real issue. It implies that they’re just overwhelmed, not actually struggling emotionally. It’s an easy out, but doesn’t always tell the full story.
4. “No, nothing’s wrong.”
Source: Unsplash When they go out of their way to say nothing’s wrong, it’s often because something is. They might not be ready to open up or just don’t want to feel like they’re burdening anyone with their problems.
5. “I just need some alone time.”
Source: Unsplash Everyone needs space now and then, but when this keeps coming up, it can be a sign they’re trying to cope with something on their own. It’s easier than talking through emotions, but it might mean they’re not dealing with things.
6. “It’s not a big deal.”
Source: Unsplash They’ll use this to downplay whatever’s actually bothering them. It’s a way to convince themselves (and you) that it’s not worth stressing over, even when it clearly is.
7. “I’m just having an off day.”
Source: Unsplash This is a way of acknowledging their mood without diving into it. They’re telling you something’s up but brushing it off as temporary, hoping you won’t push for more details.
8. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.”
Source: Unsplash This one is often used when they’re feeling low but don’t want to worry anyone. It’s a reassuring way of keeping people at arm’s length while they deal with things alone.
9. “I’m just stressed about work/school.”
Yes, work and school can be stressful, but sometimes this is an excuse to avoid talking about what’s really going on. They may be using work as a scapegoat for something deeper.
10. “I’m not feeling very chatty today.”
They’ll say this when they want to avoid conversations that might dig too deep. It’s a polite way of keeping distance and avoiding showing how they really feel.
11. “I just need a good night’s sleep.”
Of course, sleep can help, but if this keeps coming up, it might be more than just tiredness. Sometimes, they’re hoping sleep will fix everything, but the real issue runs deeper.
12. “It’s probably just the weather getting me down.”
Blaming the weather is a classic way to deflect attention from inner emotions. While grey skies can affect mood, it’s often more about avoiding the real cause of feeling down.
13. “I’m fine, how are you?”
Source: Unsplash This is a clever trick to shift the focus. They’re steering the conversation away from themselves to avoid having to explain how they’re really doing.
14. “I’m just thinking about some stuff.”
This signals that something’s on their mind, but they’re not ready to share it yet. It’s a hint, but it keeps the details hidden.
15. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Source: Unsplash This is all about trying to look strong and independent, even when they might be struggling. They don’t want to admit they could use some support.
16. “I’m just having a moment, I’ll get over it.”
By calling it a “moment,” they’re downplaying what could be a longer-lasting issue. It’s a way of brushing off more serious feelings, hoping they’ll pass.
17. “Let’s talk about something else.”
This is the clearest sign they don’t want to dive into their emotions. It’s their way of saying, “Yes, something’s wrong, but I’m not ready to talk about it.” Give them space. If they need to chat, hopefully they’ll come back to you later.
