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Original poster

When was the last time you felt total and utter joy?

254 replies

Zebrasandfairytales · 01/09/2022 12:54

I just thought this morning, I can’t remember when I last felt like that. That feeling of happiness, freedom, contentment, joy. Which is really sad.

I thought maybe reading others moments of joy might give me some joyspiration.

Or if others feel similar help me to feel less alone.

OP posts:
fantasmasgoria1 · 01/09/2022 12:59

I have a mental illness so that has much to do with it but I feel the same as you. I never get truly excited about anything .

DoodleDig · 01/09/2022 13:15

Yes I understand that feeling. I realised a couple of years ago that I also hadn't felt that excitement and joy that I often used to feel about life. I had my DS when I was 38 and before that I had lived a very independent life, moving different places and being free. My DS's dad was not a very nice person and life took a tumble. We split and that lifted some of the gloom but I felt very low when my DS was around the ages of 2-8. I imagined every other parent having sociable times, mixing with other families, the children playing together. Not us. At the same time the peri menopause was kicking in and bringing a mixture of low mood and irritability, with a big dose of guilt.
Things seem to be getting better though. I can feel contentment again. Not unbridled joy, but contentment. I think the fact that my DS, now 11, is fun, interesting to talk to and now of the age that we can do things together without me having to entirely please him, but do things that I choose for me too.
The HRT I've started has probably helped too.

GingerAndLemonn · 01/09/2022 13:18

Never. I have a chronic mental illness and for as long as I can remember have only ever felt suicidal.

JuneOsborne · 01/09/2022 13:18

You'll laugh at this, but I have felt this just last week. We were away for a few days and went on a steam train. There were balconies on each carriage and you could stand in the balcony while the train travelled up the mountain.

I stood on that balcony. The sound of the train, the breeze in my hair and on my face, watching my kids experiencing the same and the beautiful countryside meandering by. I felt like I was in an Enid Blyton story. Pure joy.

FlipFlops4Me · 01/09/2022 13:20

The day I collected our rescue dog was the most recent time. He's made my life so very much happier and I knew he would. On that day I collected him he was so scared he couldn't be put on a lead and I had to pick him up and cuddle him while we waited for my husband to pick us up. And he's been the extra helping of love and joy in my life ever since then.

I was deeply thankful and relieved the day my DH didn't die when he had his stroke, but I think joyful isn't the right word. I knew the rest of my life would be a long hard slog with him but it's totally worth it, and I am still so very thankful he is with me.

Techno56 · 01/09/2022 13:21

I only really feel this when I'm cuddling animals.

Baby goats in particular 🙂

Haggisfish3 · 01/09/2022 13:21

Loads. I plan things that will make me feel that way. Recently I hired a boat for the day with dc and friends. There was nowhere I would rsther have been. It was serene and relaxed and beautiful.

BoviTraci · 01/09/2022 13:23

At my son's wedding. It was beautiful. The sun shine and everything went smoothly. I was so pleased as mine was ruined . This made up for it

woopdedoodle · 01/09/2022 13:25

2 years ago, sitting on a cliff in driving rain watching puffins, in the flesh for the first time. I cried.

Having said that I've been quite happy, would go to very happy but not that complete joy.

IThinkYoullFindIWasHereFirst · 01/09/2022 13:26

I suffer from depression and anxiety, so for long periods of time I can feel either nothing at all or total despair. However, we accidentally went to a live music event at our local park over the weekend (we meant to go to the park but didn't know about the music) and my 3YO DS started doing the most amazing dancing on his own whilst waving and shouting out to the band whenever they spoke to the audience. Just watching him made my heart burst.
My main moments seem to be when I am near the sea and can feel the wind blowing - preferably not in the height of summer. Geographically this requires a bit of planning and expenditure and often the depression talks me out of this sort of thing, but when I do get there the joy is amazing.

MistyRock · 01/09/2022 13:27

I'm not sure. I feel incredibly happy when I'm cuddling my son when he's sleeping but generally I find life a slog. I put toouch pressure on myself to keep everyone happy. It's beyond draining to feel I'm the one too blame when people aren't happy.

PicaK · 01/09/2022 13:28

A year ago on holiday. On a boat in the med, water, sky. Just a moment of sheer joy at being alive. I had tears in my eyes. It had been a long time.
When things get dark and hard now I think back to that moment and grit my teeth and plough on. Because it will come again

Mollyplop999 · 01/09/2022 13:30

Last Sunday. My DH suprised me by buying back an old classic car that I used to own and regretted selling. I had absolutely no idea. I'm still smiling.

When was the last time you felt total and utter joy?
devildeepbluesea · 01/09/2022 13:31

I feel joy every time I watch my dog playing when out walking.

Also a few times this summer swimming in the sea in big waves, bodyboarding all the way up the beach. Wonderful.

saveforthat · 01/09/2022 13:32

I feel this every time I watch my dog run into the sea to swim ( which is quite often as we live near the beach). The pure unadulterated joy she clearly feels running in and out of the water is catching. I get a similar although not so powerful feeling swimming myself.

SilverLiningPlaybook · 01/09/2022 13:33

FlipFlops4Me · 01/09/2022 13:20

The day I collected our rescue dog was the most recent time. He's made my life so very much happier and I knew he would. On that day I collected him he was so scared he couldn't be put on a lead and I had to pick him up and cuddle him while we waited for my husband to pick us up. And he's been the extra helping of love and joy in my life ever since then.

I was deeply thankful and relieved the day my DH didn't die when he had his stroke, but I think joyful isn't the right word. I knew the rest of my life would be a long hard slog with him but it's totally worth it, and I am still so very thankful he is with me.

What a lovely post! I would love to see a pic of your dog!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 01/09/2022 13:35

Probably my wedding day last year. Although (and this sounds a bit sad) I did karaoke on holiday and everyone started singing along with me. I felt pretty good at that moment Grin

saveforthat · 01/09/2022 13:36

Also feeling really joyful today as I am about to have my last chemo treatment which i have been having every 3 weeks for 18 months

Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat · 01/09/2022 13:37

Every time I put my out of office on at work when I go off on leave.

TeenDivided · 01/09/2022 13:38

August 2015 with DD1's GCSE results. She worked so hard for them, her pass for her Eng Lang

Rutland2022 · 01/09/2022 13:38

I feel that most of the time when I ride my horse. In the middle of nowhere with the sun on my face (or wind and rain!) with a beautiful view and just us. I have had her a long time and we have an amazing bond.

I also get it when my DD is asleep on me sometimes and we are just still. That’s lovely. It’s not every time she sleeps obviously, just the times when I don’t have to do anything and can just lie there and snuggle and be still and breathe together. I find falling asleep with her very calming.

TeenDivided · 01/09/2022 13:39

TeenDivided · 01/09/2022 13:38

August 2015 with DD1's GCSE results. She worked so hard for them, her pass for her Eng Lang

was particularly joyful.

ShirleyJackson · 01/09/2022 13:40

Bobbing about in the sea last week.

HappyMackerel · 01/09/2022 13:40

Dancing to some absolute belters in my kitchen while making lunch today.

isitfridayyet22 · 01/09/2022 13:41

I’ll let you know when I remember, as a PP MH doesn’t make it easy