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Beat the January blues and share your secrets of happiness to win a copy of THE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS by Lucy Diamond plus a SHEER BLISS PAMPER HAMPER!

302 replies

UrsulaMumsnet · 18/01/2016 15:10

Defy Blue Monday by sharing the secrets to your happiness for a chance to win a copy of Lucy Diamond's new novel The Secrets of Happiness plus a fabulous Sheer Bliss Pamper Hamper

What is the secret of happiness? Family? Love? Endless chocolate? Stepsisters Rachel and Becca certainly aren’t experts. They've never been close and seem to live perfectly opposite lives - Rachel has the house, husband and kids, while Becca lurches from one dead-end job and bad date to another. But when Rachel doesn't come home one night, Becca realises that her life isn't as perfect as she'd thought, and when the two stepsisters are thrown together, they discover that happiness, like love, can hide in the least likely of places.

Lucy Diamond is the bestselling author of Summer at Shell Cottage. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

This discussion is sponsored by Pan Macmillan and will end on 15 February. We will post the winner on the thread on that date.

Beat the January blues and share your secrets of happiness to win a copy of THE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS by Lucy Diamond plus a SHEER BLISS PAMPER HAMPER!
Beat the January blues and share your secrets of happiness to win a copy of THE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS by Lucy Diamond plus a SHEER BLISS PAMPER HAMPER!
Beat the January blues and share your secrets of happiness to win a copy of THE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS by Lucy Diamond plus a SHEER BLISS PAMPER HAMPER!
OP posts:
Emrob86 · 20/01/2016 09:18

Family, friends, good food, good books, wine and chocolate! :)

Bellroyd · 20/01/2016 05:41

Think of your glass as always half-full and encourage your partner to do the same. Be more tolerant of others' views and don't sweat the small stuff.

Show your other half that you care and don't take anyone for granted.

pfcpompeysarah · 19/01/2016 22:19

Accept some things you cannot change, look forward not back, and treat yourself to a little of what you fancy.

Caelaj07 · 19/01/2016 22:03

Happiness is spending time as a family and also stopping trying to please everyone and make sure my little family is happy instead

Funkyferret · 19/01/2016 21:45

Congratulating yourself on the things you can do and achieve and not beating yourself up about what you can't do and haven't!

compy99 · 19/01/2016 21:34

It is the simple things that make me happy, my Family, animals, the Spring and Summer months, nature - all the things we tend to take for granted.

maximillion15 · 19/01/2016 21:20

Make the most of what you have and stop looking or something better as you'll never realise what you have

danikagrace · 19/01/2016 21:20

Taking pleasure in the small things in life everyday - smiling at the birds, the sunset, random acts of kindness, a hot cup of tea. When you take a moment, even only mentally, to feel happy about all the little things it keeps your head in a better place to accept and welcome good things and overcome the not so good.

Nettie17 · 19/01/2016 21:16

If you can't change something then don't worry about it, park it

EmNix · 19/01/2016 20:54

A mug of tea, a slice of homemade cake and peace and quiet to read a good book. Sheer indugent happiness

cozza777 · 19/01/2016 20:45

Don't stress the small stuff as long as you have your family a roof over your head,food on the table and good health every thing else is peachy :)

strawberrisc · 19/01/2016 20:25

Always look at what you have, not what you don't have because what you don't have invariably doesn't matter!

tiddles12 · 19/01/2016 20:23

Happiness is being kind to others, forgiving always, not holding grudges and doing all that makes you a much happier person. Smile

littleme96 · 19/01/2016 20:07

Appreciating and enjoying the small things, like a really good cup of tea, a lovely dog walk or a reading a great book.

shivbrown · 19/01/2016 19:47

Always Smile and be positive in all situations, I always look at the good in every situation and I truly believe my happiness is also down to having a wonderful family an amazing husband and adorable children. They all make me smile every single day and give me every reason to wake up happy x

Movingonmymind · 19/01/2016 18:25

You know, sorry but it depends. Those in unhappy marriages (many of us), with tricky kids? Hitting us over the head w guilt to say it's the best thing! My brst thing? Peace, countryside, dog. Friends. Each to their own!

mo3733 · 19/01/2016 18:11

enjoy being with your family as there is no greater happiness then sharing a laugh with family

nettymay · 19/01/2016 17:40

Be a good listener for friends and family

Scungybear · 19/01/2016 17:23

The secret to happiness for me is finding pleasure in the little things, like a good book or a nice meal or being with family.

rhinosuze · 19/01/2016 17:21

Loving yourself

askimgeorge · 19/01/2016 17:20

good book, a cuppa and some chocolate :-)

Clairemike21 · 19/01/2016 17:13

Patience with others and then you stay happy ....and chocolate

shadydelta · 19/01/2016 17:12

What makes me happy ..the feeling of having a free day to pull a chair out into the sunshine and read a book while listening to the birds singing. I also love getting the kids into their warm woolys and going for early morning walks through the woods while its still cold and crunchy outside. Cosy nights in by a roaring fire with all my little tealights on and watching a film with my husband. It brings you back down to earth after a stressful work week

sammylea80 · 19/01/2016 16:50

make sure that you have some you time and do something for yourself each week , even if it's just going for a walk in the fresh air

Cailin7 · 19/01/2016 16:41

family, friends and a good book and cuppa