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

[Zebrasandfairytales]

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.

The older I get, the more I find moments of joy in small things. Perhaps having quite an unhappy childhood has contributed to the astonishment I feel at how happy my life is. The last time was Saturday night - eating tacos cooked by my lovely partner, snuggled under a blanket on the sofa with both DDS cuddled up, watching them enthralled by a Star Wars film. Just bliss.

My garden is a source of moments of joy. Finding a new bud on a plant is joyful for me.

I'm so sorry you were 'questioned' on this.

Im happy that you have comfort that if every anything happens to you, your son will always look out for your daughter.

I can relate to this. My mother has cancer and worries about me when she's gone. I'm disabled, and have a young daughter. She recently had a conversation with her younger brother who told her he would be there for me. This has taken a weight off her mind.

I hope you remain in good health, and thank you for sharing your lovely stories.

Reading this makes me realise I feel joy often. I feel anxious a lot too so it's not all a bowl of cherries. I was depressed and lonely in my twenties and I feel like my happiness is sort of astonishing to me now (age 43). Small things give me joy, last was either swimming in a lake this morning or going for a walk just before the kids went to bed last night. They were racing around with the dog, wrestling over a ball, in the park next to our house and I just felt overwhelmed with how lovely it was.

Dogs seem to feature heavily in this thread and I completely agree they bring utter joy!

It was quite a small occasion for me, I was walking between 2 fields in the autumn last year. It was warm and comfortable.
I was listening to a song from my teenage years, it’s a gorgeous but powerful song. And I just had the purest joyful feeling. Just felt so free. I will do that again sometime.

I was feeling similar - and those moments do seem to be thinner on the ground, but had a cfew this summer:

First was bodyboarding with DS(12) - we both caught a big wave at the same time and rode it all the way in to shore right laughing & whooping and looking at each other the whole way.

Second was sea kayaking on the same hol, with DS & DH, and a seal came right up to my kayak.

Third was a quieter joy - again on the same holiday (bit of a theme here) - listening to DS & DH tease each other mercilessly whilst playing cards whilst I sat reading a book, I just felt so happy & content, like the 'real world' had fallen away.

On a massive hike 2 weekends ago.

Out on my bike on the local bridleways.

I've got one to add, my twins settled into year one and declared they LOVE their new teacher. When they're happy and excited by something that gives me joy.

Most recently, unexpectedly falling in love (known him for years etc etc). Separated from DH last year after years of not being happy and just to be content was amazing. But to feel like I do is beyond words. Terrifying too!

But also being by and in the sea this summer with my DCs, laughing until I ache with my sisters and friends. Big family get-togethers. Roast dinner with the kids. I know how lucky I am to feel like this. DH had a serious MH condition and I know how little joy he felt.

-the birth of our twin DGCs a few years ago - I was in a happy daze for a long time. I was so delighted for DS and DDIL, for us and for the wider family. I knew they would bring great joy and they certainly have done.

-more recently, I have taken up a musical instrument in my 60s - a different one from the one I learned as a teenager. It has been amazing to rediscover the joy of practising and improving, little by little.

2 nights ago when my partner just laid with me quietly for 2 hours and said it was the best 2 hours he'd had in months. He was right, we have busy lives and I missed him so much.

I know the feeling - can’t exactly pinpoint situations but I know that every single time (in the past few months) that I’ve forgotten about the cost of living crisis and how stressed and worried I am about managing it all as a lone parent I’ve fully relaxed into myself and just felt immense immense joy at the life I have with my children.

It’s not an easy life but I had an even worse childhood so just knowing my children are safe and secure with so much more stability than I ever had as a child always gives me that “I’ve made it and I’m living my best life” feeling. Just pure joy that a girl like me can actually do it (and am doing it despite all the hardships).
That sense of achievement and accomplishment always gives me pure and utter joy and contentment.
Until I remember that it may all go to crap in the next year then I become a stress ball again, worrying about how to make extra money, cutback, etc 😂

In 1999.

Your write so beautifully and expressively. Such a talent to be so articulate and to express a feeling so perfectly in just a few words.

I seem to feel everything deeply so can experience ecstatic joy and desperate disappointment within moments of each other. Highs can be from dancing in the kitchen to a fave song, singing along in the car, driving through countryside On a crisp frosty morning, watching the dog springing along with her tail wagging in big circles on her daily walk, sinking into a hot bath with a scented candle, good book, glass of wine and prospect of no interruptions, looking at my sleeping children’s faces.. just making the most of daily moments I suppose and really feeling them. But I cry most days too!

I have been depressed and anxious for about 10 years. I have ups and downs, the worse when I tried to overdose, but haven't felt true happiness in that whole time. Writing it down makes me feel so sad. I often feel hopeless 😢

I echo Body boarding! Huge adrenaline rush being torpedo d back to shore!!! 😁

Hi - someone just posted on this thread and it’s jogged my memory to update you all.

I can add to this thread now!

After a tough year and therapy I was diagnosed with ADHD in November, I now have support in place, have stopped drinking alcohol and start medication in the next month.

Things that have been giving me joy: getting out in nature, reading to my daughters every night, having sober movie nights with my husband, reading again, chatting to friends, planning holidays and adventures, playing cards as a family, playing hide and seek in the garden with my daughter this morning after coming back from a run.

To anyone not able to feel joy at the moment, hang on. It’ll come

I remember the thread, OP. What a lovely update. All those moments of joy sound perfect.

Feeding the fish with my daughter the other week. My son discovering he can push his face up against the window and make me laugh.

I find joy in the small moments that happen regularly even if there's lots I would like to change about the bigger picture.

I guess after lockdown. It was great to meet up with my friends again!

😥I hope you do get to feel joy again soon.

It's nice to be able to share a positive update! I joined an alcohol and drug recovery programme at the beginning of November and my whole life has changed for the better. I am getting my love for life back and also my self worth amongst many other rewards. I'm starting to gain calmness and peace in my mind. I have more good days than bad now and I make decisions that will add to my happiness. It's amazing ❤️

It sounds ridiculous but the last time I felt really excited was when I found out that my favourite artist (30 years of loving her music) was to come play a gig at my local park for a big event.
Then Covid came 2 months after booking tickets/ 6 months to concert and obviously got cancelled. Then I got injured during second lockdown and became housebound. Then another condition started and again housebound. Lost most friends, thankfully kids older now and can support but I can't believe how quickly life became very different and how I no longer get that beautiful feeling of pure joy and excitement.

@TrustTheProcess @Zebrasandfairytales
That's fantastic to hear!