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.

A few days ago, hearing my DCs and a friend giggling while watching a kids film. They are all 18-21 and they sounded like they were 12. It was so sweet.

When my teenage grandsons hug me spontaneously and tell me they love me. They are 13 and 15 and not generally demonstrative but whenever I arrive or leave I feel loved. There is a lot of hard stuff in my life atm but those two lads bring joy every time.

A week or so ago my hubby told me we are going to meet some dog breeders at an event in October and we get to meet their dogs and pet them ALL DAY.

Tears of joy 🥲

I've wanted a puppy my whole life 🐕🥰

Yesterday, we took 4yo DD to clip n climb. It’s next to the soft play at our leisure centre so for years every time we’ve gone to soft play she’s asked to “go climb” but has been too young. Anyway, she started really slowly, just going up a couple of feet and coming down again. Very gradually started increasing in height, you could see that she really wanted to climb to the top but was a bit scared. We were supportive but didn’t put any pressure on. Anyway, literally in the last minute of the session she climbed all the way to the top, a good 10 metres high. She was so overjoyed and proud of herself, I was absolutely thrilled for her.

Today, when I got my dog out of the shower. I was rubbing him dry with a towel and he put his paws up around my neck and gave me a wet slobbery hug. He's 9, and the absolute love of my life (sorry, DH).

Yesterday having a big hug from my youngest granddaughter.

There's joy every day, although sometimes you might have to search for it.

Last week when I got my Maths GCSE result. I am 61 and until then didn't have a maths qualification - I failed O'level 3 times and gave up. So in January 2021 I decided to study for it and got a grade 5. I am still ridiculously pleased with myself in a slightly disbelieving kind of way

On the very rare occasions my boys play together without fighting I feel joy
When I held my niece as a newborn baby
Playing in some massive waves on holiday
Standing up on a paddleboard for the first time without falling in

Here he is, lord of all he surveys!

ON the 4th of April, I met my latest little granddaughter. A lovely bonus baby, totally unplanned and unexpected by my 42 year old son and his 41 year old partner. I didn't want to be "the pushy MIL" when I visited, so I hung back, but straight away my dear DIL said " would you like to pick her up?" and so I got my first cuddle. What a complete joy she is.

Well done, that’s brilliant!

Today! DH and I went to a little quiet bay, we were floating in the sea with snorkel masks on watching fish, holding hands.

On holiday recently, in an outdoor pool with hailstones and the church nearby playing Ave Maria, and mountains in the background. It was so beautiful.

I love that people talk about their animals and let's giving them joy too.

This is brilliant - well done Squashy!

I've name changed for this because anyone who knows me knows that I went to this thing at the weekend because I've not stopped going on about it.

Last weekend I went to a hot air balloon festival. Weird thing in theory and I have no connection to ballooning, but it was local and I went. The weather was lovely and the balloons were just... I don't know, they were just so beautiful and delicate and so serene. Watching them being launched and float away while the sun was setting was just really lovely and I felt like I didn't want it to end. They really seemed to bring a smile to everyone's face and the people who owned/operated the balloons just seemed thrilled to share them with the world.

It was lovely and really made me happy. Not something you can just go and see, I appreciate, but if you get the chance then do it!

Having been quite near death a few years ago I try to find joy in small things.

But the most can't wipe my grin of my face has been galloping across Exmoor - first with DD and this year with my best friend.

Second one was the best (sorry DD) as I could just enjoy it worthily worrying about a 10 year old racing off.

I never thought I'd ride again - and it took a lot of hard work to get to that point - to go fast without fear and just feel the total joy.

When I go paddle boarding. It’s a water sports centre in our city, nowhere fancy, and we’ve been there a lot. But just sitting on my board, surrounded by nature, being physically and mentally removed from all the daily mundane rubbish.

And watching my foster dogs play, explore the garden and generally have a lovely
time. They never cease to amaze me with how resilient they are and how exciting they can find little things, like playing with a feather or watching the ants. I quite often find myself grinning at them.

Feeling cool in the sea at Freshwater West in August. First time I'd felt properly cool in weeks 😊

Singing and dancing at Coldplay, Wembley 😊

I'm fact pretty much any time I'm with horses or riding I'm happy. Seeing my foster dogs come out of their shells for the first time and start to trust us pretty special. The first spontaneous nose hoop/jump up for a cuddle - sometimes after months - that makes my heart sing.

This weekend listening to a live band and dancing with a totally unsuitable man.

It doesn't solve anything, but in the moment it was wonderful

Foster dog buddies! It's so rewarding.

Oh and watching this sunset from a boat off Pembrokeshire

Maybe not utter joy but today I felt happy and content. I've a couple of days off and got to drop my DS to school, go for a walk in the park (which was really quiet and peaceful), enjoy some rare glorious sun, enjoy the house to myself, ate the last iced bun, read in the garden, drink my coffee, have a perfect crisp sandwich for lunch and then pick my DS up and go for another walk in the park. I'm also heading to an exercise class that I really enjoy this evening which means I don't have to do bedtime but get home in time to have a last cuddle with DS.

I'll take the small wins compared to the soaring highs any day.

last Sunday when I won £30 on the lottery

then this morning when I realised my boss wasn’t coming in - sad but true . Little dictator do my head in

I can remember the exact date, the time to within an hour and exactly where I was. My DP was killed in a RTA a few hours later. Never felt happy since.

@Agadoodoododont

I hope you’ll find some joy somewhere along the line. You must have loved him very much. 😢 💐.