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What is the secret to a happy life?

96 replies

Washeduponthebeach · 17/09/2021 10:01

Interested to know what has worked for you and why. How you have changed your approach or what life events have prompted a different outlook!

OP posts:
groundcontroltomontydon · 17/09/2021 20:53

Financial security, good health and frozen diced onions

Iflyaway · 17/09/2021 20:55

Secret to a happy life? I'm still working it out. But....

Save money, be thankfull - full of thanks! - for small mercies, make sure I bring my kid up healthy and happy, Take time out for self-care.

I wake up blessed to have another day, you never know when it's over.

Grab love when it hits you. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. (And if they don't, walk on).

QuiltingFlower · 17/09/2021 20:56

Every evening grab your notebook and pencil and write down three things you are grateful for.

Radiosilenced · 17/09/2021 21:06

Watching this. Great question...

MotherofPearl · 17/09/2021 21:15

Finding joy in small, everyday things.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 17/09/2021 21:18

Wanting what you have, slowing down to savour it.

Birdyflight · 17/09/2021 21:18

.

IceLace100 · 17/09/2021 21:19

Three things:

  1. Sex
  2. Gin
  3. Mates.

Not necessarily all at once...

bluejelly · 17/09/2021 21:21

Working out my boundaries, and not feeling guilty about sticking to them

EvenRosesHaveThorns · 17/09/2021 21:25

Low expectations

GalaPie · 17/09/2021 21:31

Accepting that living this life is like being strapped to the wheel at a water mill. Sometimes you're on top and you can wave and call and smile. Next minute you're on the bottom and underwater. Was ever thus, and the wheel will keep on turning.
And reciting a mantra consisting of three phrases at the end of each day - when the dc were small mine was everyone has eaten, no-one has diphtheria, we have a roof over our head.

LOVEMEIMNORMAL · 17/09/2021 21:32

I don't know just place-marking for tips

PeriChristmas · 17/09/2021 23:40

@Girlintheframe

This is such a hard but interesting question!

I think it changes too depending on what life stage your at.

For me it's

Don't sweat the small stuff
Have as many experiences as you can
Get lots of sleep
Don't compare to others
Connection with others
Happy kids
Work out what's important to you
Good work/life balance
Enough money
Be grateful
Help others
Like yourself
Don't strive for perfection

Agree with all of these.
TheQueenOfDreams · 17/09/2021 23:48

I’m happiest when I have goals and just do things.
Could be anything like keep the house tidy, go out somewhere new, do a course, apply for that job but I just need to do stuff.
Not everyone needs that but I found what makes me happiest.

Gothichouse40 · 17/09/2021 23:54

Remove yourself from social media, especially Facebook and Twitter. Ive been way happier. Appreciate the small things in life and realise life isn't fair and you don't always get everything you want in life. Learn to appreciate what you have.

LoveFall · 18/09/2021 00:23

I am not always happy but when I am these are some of the things that matter.

Definitely don't suffer fools unless you get paid a lot to do so.

Find a creative outlet, be it painting, drawing, writing, gardening, cooking or something else.

Keep on learning, hopefully things you are interested in.

Eat good food, especially local. It just tastes better. Right now I can't get enough local field tomatoes and corn.

Aim for sufficient financial security that you can buy the little things without strain. As an example, I am by no means wealthy but it makes me happy to be able to buy card making supplies without worrying.

Treasure family as much as you can. Life is short. Pass on those family traditions that make you feel good.

In your family, never go to bed with your anger. This is hard sometimes but makes a big difference.

Give yourself some slack. No one is perfect. So what if the laundry piles up for an extra day or too.

Be gentle with yourself. Really.

Give your children both roots and wings. Watching them become independent responsible (mostly) adults is amazing.

echt · 18/09/2021 01:14

I don't believe in the concept of a happy life. Happiness is a peak, lovely but transitory, not a goal.

Content is good enough:

Keeping in touch with family
For me financial security is important
Learning something new: I'm retiring this year as am re-training in a new voluntary area
Flowers on the table
Be as sociable as possible (lockdown!!), much valued convos on the street and walking the dog

YouJustDoYou · 18/09/2021 08:21

I don't believe in the concept of a happy life. Happiness is a peak, lovely but transitory, not a goal

What a weird, and sad, thing to say.

Birdyflight · 18/09/2021 08:31

Actually, I think @echt is right. Contentment is a wonderful thing and transistory moments of happiness need to be treasured, and not chased.

endlesscraziness · 18/09/2021 08:35

I have a lovely husband and daughter, a job that I love, financial stability and great friends. I couldn't say what got me here though. I'm very lucky. A friend who never seems happy with her lot has a 'keeping up with the Jones' attitude and I suspect would never be happy whereas I recognize that I'm very lucky to have what I have and am wholly content as a result

3luckystars · 18/09/2021 09:29

Gratitude
Praying
Choosing love over money

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