When was the last time you were truly happy?

Me neither.

I actually have no idea. Most of the time I'm pretty content, but very rarely feel actually properly HAPPY in the way that I did when younger, when the prospect of a night out, or a gig, or a date filled me with proper bottle of pop bouncing happiness. Probably the closest I've come recently is when I went away on my own for a few days and was just alone with my thoughts, ate when I wanted, slept when I wanted and swam and read for hours.

I try and a bit of joy in each day, and I have a lot to be thankful for. However, it’s been quite long time since I’ve been truly happy. I hate working but can’t afford to retire, I have a chronic illness which will only go one way and as I reflect on what I’ve done with my life I feel like I’ve wasted so many chances.

I’m sorry, but have you considered adopting or long term fostering? There are lots of wonderful children loookg for a new mummy and daddy.

May 2022. Before getting called into school to find out my child had taken an overdose. They survived but I can never totally relax or be truly happy again. The adage that you are only as happy as your unhappiest child is so true.

Most days

post menopause

walk and see the changing of the seasons
dancing like a loon to a TV theme

this thread is so sad

I try to find things every day that make me happy & smile

So far today

Good nights sleep
Croissants for breakfast
Washed my long hair

Probably when I was pregnant with DD1.
She is 17.

Most mornings when I watch my daft spaniel loving his morning walk flushing out pheasants and the odd duck from the bushes in the forest.

Well the fact that the question itself made me tear up would suggest it’s been a while. I’ve struggled massively with menopause and it’s really affected my confidence, relationship with DH and more. On paper, I “should” be happy, but honestly, I’m not really.

2011

I’m sorry to hear that you relate and I hope life isn’t too hard for you

Last time I was properly happy was floating down a river in France with my kids and DH. We were in canoes. Life has been really tough since but I still get the odd blast of contentment when I am in the bath with my book

Just to add another comment, for sure the very happiest time of my life was when my children were young. I felt really content and fulfilled.
There would be a couple of weeks each summer when the stars would align, the weather would be gorgeous and there was no school run (I didn’t work then) and the days felt blissful, like I was walking through golden silk , life felt effortless and wonderful.

Post menopause I never ever feel that contented, I’m not sure it’s even possible any more 🤣

I think it was 1999.

Exactly thirty years ago.

2026 - so far! I’ve started the year in a positive frame of mind (despite what is going on in the world: I’ve decided not to worry about things beyond my control, while retaining empathy) and have made it this far without getting myself anywhere near as depressed as I normally do.
Seeing some sunshine definitely helped - we haven’t yet had more than a week without seeing at least some (SE UK)

Like a few others, during lockdown. The weather was so perfect, there was no pressure, no expectations, no cost of living crisis most importantly. At the end of lockdown a new head of department started at my previous job that I used to love so much and it all went to shit. I changed jobs and now my job is even worse but I’m stuck 😭.

That's lovely

16 months ago, the day before ds took his life out of the blue.

All the time

I've had relentless and hideous stress for months and this is after only a short respite from the previous hideous and relentless stress, but I can't say I'm able to measure how much happiness. There are times in every day where life feels good despite it all. I feel hopeful and optimistic but I can't say how much I feel happy or unhappy.

Real happiness for me is linked to childhood. So when I was under 12 I was often happy, and when my children were little I was happy.

All the death and betrayal of the last 15 years have made me feel like I can never be happy again. I carry a weight that has become part of me and that never really lifts.

At a Burns Night celebration last night, just for a couple of hours, but that will keep me going for now.

21st December 2007. I went for a cold woodland walk with long term bf, I knew a proposal was imminent and sure enough it happened the next day. I remember walking and looking at the sky and feeling a happiness I've never felt before or since. I felt so alive and full of possibility.

BF turned into abusive husband, then into abusive ex husband, who has terrorised me and our DC since. Life has never been kind, or happy, before or after that moment I was walking in the woods.

Pretty depressing when I think I got married and had children since that moment and never felt properly happy. I would never say it to DC though