Like you stated. Sadness is a completely different emotion than Clinical Depression. Although some of the feelings may cross over into both. Especially, if like me, your negative self talk, goes 1 hundred miles an hour when both Depressed and struggling with painful emotions, like sadness.

Sadness to me is mainly all about feeling extremely lonely and isolated. Plus feeling fragile and despair. And feeling not worthy. (that negative self talk).

I am lonely and I crave stimulating conversations about issues I consider important. I have 1 best friend since childhood, but we really have little in common. So she doesn't help fill this need.

The other part of being lonely, is not having a loving partner. I have been single for 13 years. So no dating, no sex, no kissing or hugs, not even hand holding. And I crave to be part of a loving relationship.

When that sadness hits, my negative talk takes over and tells me constantly why I don't have those special friendships or a special love. And that self talk is beyond cruel.

Covid restrictions and lockdowns have increased by feelings of being isolated.