uffishness

Uffishness is a term coined by the English writer John Ruskin to describe a certain state of mind characterized by a feeling of overwhelming, almost suffocating, intellectual or emotional burden. It implies a sense of being bogged down by profound thoughts, weighty responsibilities, or a pervasive melancholy that hinders easy or cheerful engagement with the world. Ruskin used the word in letters to his friend, artist William Bell Scott, and it is most famously associated with his description of his own mental state during periods of intense creative or emotional struggle.

The term suggests a kind of intellectual gloom or existential weariness. It is not simply sadness, but a more complex condition that can arise from deep contemplation or the pressure of significant undertakings. Those experiencing uffishness might feel unable to articulate their thoughts clearly or to find simple joy in everyday life. It conveys a sense of being trapped within one's own mind, weighed down by complexities that are difficult to escape or resolve. While Ruskin himself used the term to describe his personal struggles, uffishness has been adopted more broadly to denote a similar mood of profound, introspective distress.