Can you remember the last time you were honestly happy?

[user83921]

I was thinking about this this morning. Can you remember the last time you felt truly happy?

Im by no means depressed, but I think I'm always waiting for something to make me happy, new job, new house etc. But when that comes I still don't feel the happiness I crave.

I'm not sure if I have an unrealistic expectation of what happiness is, or feels like.

Does anyone else feel similar?

Yes.

I’m not happy all of the time- in fact I’m crying most of the time at the moment, as I lost my mum recently.

Perhaps the sadness I’m feeling makes the happiness glow brighter when it happens.

I think you are on a bit of a hiding to nothing if you (not you personally op!) expect or anticipate happiness tbh. Sorry to sound so downbeat but it's better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst imho. I have the advantage of being brought up Catholic though; so sort of expect life to be a "vale of tears" or a trial or a test (that's what I was taught at school many years ago anyway).

Happiness is such a nebulous concept too. We can look back on something that was pretty horrific (childbirth for example) and look back on it with huge happiness. Sometimes happiness can only be experienced retrospectively I think. Heck, what do I know? Ignore me op, just rambling!

To answer your question, I guess the times I am truly happy is when I am in "the zone" totally alone, doing something creative. Or just lying in a field smelling the grass, listening to a cricket or a bird or something!

Christmas eve - getting over norovirus. Could hear DH and DCs happily chattering away,

Today as I cycled along my local cycle/horse/walk/run trail that used to be a railway line. I was on the homeward straight singing along to something on my playlist not caring if anyone could hear me. The sun was out, shades on, splattered in mud, smiling and singing as I cycled along enjoying it being just me and the great outdoors.

Cuddling my 2yo earlier before bedtime. I find happiness in simple things every day.

No can't remember, being a grown up sucks. A lot.

This morning when I woke up to some sunlight and not pitch black :)

Yes, Saturday.

That's not to say life or is perfect - far from it, there are several things going on for us just now, including serious illness and job-related stress. But small things can still spark contentment or joy, and I savour them when they turn up. If you're finding it hard to find any happiness, OP, can I gently suggest you speak your GP? When I found myself unable to find joy in my life, it turned out I was depressed, and I needed help to get back to a better balance.

I have regular moments of happiness (usually related to the kids!) but it's never long lasting happiness.

I can honestly find happiness in the smallest things - a shining sun, a smile at a stranger, a good poo

My Dad died last year, it was horrendous as he had cancer and it just took over him. He was always a glass half full kind of person and always found a positive. I'm determined that will be me.

I always get down in winter but this year, I've upped my exercise and refuse to be anything but positive.

I'm fairly happy most of the time tbh

I'm reasonably happy most of the time.

This weekend. I felt very low (and lonely) over Christmas, despite my lovely family. But on Saturday I just realised that the feeling has lifted and am really blessed in so many small ways and I was just happy - in face DH had the better word - content. Long may it last and hoping those not feeling it so soon

This evening when I arrived home, both DS1(12) and DS2(1) gave me a really big hug. They were properly pleased to see me and that made me happy.

I have had a dark few months but feel much better for the Christmas break, some good stuff going on professionally, the longer days and DH and I had some fabulous, long overdue sex the other day - I felt pretty happy after that! (Sorry if TMI!)

A couple of nights ago, chatting on my oldest son on Messenger. Mostly trading insults and sending GIFs but when we said goodnight I felt all fuzzy.

Today at work having a laugh with colleagues in between two boring but essential meetings. Then this evening when the cat did something silly and one of the children and I laughed at him as he looked at us all askance. Then again when DH and I hugged on the stairs after we spoke briefly about a sad thing as we passed each other on the landing while doing the many evening jobs, the subject was sad but the comfort of the hug was happy.

I spend much of my time stressed out of my brain but my life has many happy moments.

Most days. Today it was on a walk with my dog and my puppy..... watching them chase each other and play was just lovely. I'm so lucky they're mine to love. And DH made me a lush cup of tea when I got home after a crappy day at work, accompanied by a big hug.

I look for happiness in the small things and it is much more easily found.

I think a PP hit the nail on the head when they said sometimes happiness is retrospective.

I have very happy moments, usually involving my children, but the rest of the time is just average. I’m ok with that.

Last night sitting eating a meal with good friends and our youngest daughter in a lovely, tiny osteria in Verona. Giggling about our friend eating horse for his starter. All dancing to Mamma Mia songs with the owner and waitress for no real reason.

I'm happy now I'm glad to say.

Tiny little things really. I admit to life being a real struggle following DH dying suddenly and looking back the first 2 years and most of year three were pretty grim and going through the motions. We found an old memory card the other day with loads of family photos and it struck me how care free and happy we all seemed, although at the time it did not register. Since then DD hit the dreaded tweens and I am not particularly good at being a single parent. However the other night we had a lovely snuggle, watched a film together and it was just lovely. It was after one of the worst days and it was such a simple pleasure.

I have at least one moment of happiness every day- my son giggles, my daughter makes me smile, the baby kicks inside me, I laugh at a film or smile at a book, I eat some cheese or cheesecake etc. Etc.

Even at my most depressed I still manage to find a little spark of happiness in every day. Sometimes I wonder how when there's not much to be happy at in my life but I find something. And the kids help. They drive me crazy but they also make me happy.