What Makes You Feel ‘Alive’ ?

[RadioSixMusicLover]

I was looking at sparkles on the sea today, it just made me so happy.

What makes you feel alive? - it doesn’t matter how small.

Driving with the windows down in sunshine

Used to love getting a ski run right (very much beginner to intermediate)

Galloping on a horse (very infrequent rider)

I agree with being on horseback
Not done that in so long!
A good gym class that really gets different muscles working.
Running in a new place
Countryside at dusk

Singing along to my (fantastic) Spotify playlist really loudly in the car.

@Sparklingbrook

Singing along to my (fantastic) Spotify playlist really loudly in the car.

I’m with you there!

Singing in front of an audience. There is nothing that can touch it.

Crisp, freshly ironed cotton sheets on the bed.

Crashing waves on the beach

Sunlight (as opposed to grey days)
The sound of the sea, or rivers, or fountains.
Wind in the trees
Rain pattering on the roof
Electric fans
Chatting in bed in the dark
Holding an animal
A chink of light coming through a gap in curtains or shutters
Dappled light and shade
Dancing
Painting
Having tea or coffee outside with people I love
Swimming

Stars

I’ve noticed since the pandemic I’ve enjoyed eating really spicy food much more. Especially when we were in lockdowns it reminded me I was definitely still alive.

I agree with sparkles on water and singing in the car.

And pretty colourful wild flowers. My daughter when she is giggly, happy and snuggly. The dog jumping up for cuddles. Early mornings when the rest of the city is sleeping for some reason.

Being inside in bed in the dark with the window open on a hot night with thunder, lightening and torrential rain.

Tea and coffee

Thanks for the thread. Just a few seconds of these things can wipe out hours of stress, if I remember to look and appreciate.

The smell of the sea.

Dancing

Being in the wind

Many of the things @ScrollingLeaves has listed would also be on my list, I’d add running outdoors (in nature).

Skiing. The thrill of getting a run right makes me feel I'm on top of the world.

Also harvest. There's something about it that sings to my soul. Like I can touch every farmer that's stood in that field as the sun goes down and thought to themselves how beautiful the farm is.

Cycling downhill

Outdoor swimming.

Walking up hills and heavy metal music in the car volume cranked up to 9.

Sitting around a fire outdoors.

Anything nature. Sparkles on the sea, I love that OP

Smell of sea air, wet earth in a woods or forest, birdsong... Just that feeling of awe when you have a beautiful view in front of you.

An amazing piece of classical music.

A really, really good sleep and waking up and feeling like you can take on the day (happens about 4 times a year haha!)

This was lovely, great thread!!

RadioSixMusicLover, thank you for the idea.

This is a nice thread because I feel better just thinking of these things and I agree and get pleasure from what other posters have said too.

Oddly, before you asked the question and gave your example, I had not realised these things give pleasure because they make one feel alive. You are right, that’s what they do.

Looking at the sea on a summer evening from the beach.
Looking up at the stars in the countryside.
Looking out over a city at night, all the lights.
Live music and seeing large crowds singing along.

All these things make me feel very ‘present’ and strangely overwhelmed at times.