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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:
DamnUserName21 · 02/09/2022 20:21

GalesThisMorning · 02/09/2022 08:38

I live near a small waterfall, and most evenings I go for a very quick swim. As it's getting darker earlier now I often catch the very last rays of sun or the sky turning pink. There is never anyone there but me and I can swim naked.

The water is too cold to stay in for long but it is utterly all encompassing. For those minutes I don't think about anything, just experience the moment and revel in it. That brings me joy.

Will it still in a few weeks time is the question, and if not what can replace it?

@GalesThisMorning
Sounds incredible!!😍

MarshaMelrose · 02/09/2022 20:26

Walking the dog down the country lanes of my village in the nice weather. He's so happy, off the lead, running round and sniffing, his little white bottom bobbing up and down. You just can't help but be caught up in his happiness. It's just perfect. 🥰

TroysMammy · 02/09/2022 20:26

2010 when my niece was born.

SilverLiningPlaybook · 02/09/2022 20:30

Stickmansmum · 02/09/2022 13:42

Can you please rethink your thought process about your son looking out for your DD. It’s like a kick in the gut seeing such embedded sexism. I’m sure your DD isn’t some vulnerable individual needing minded and likely looks out for him as much. So what you meant I’m sure was that your kids are a joy to be around and look out for each other.

Show quote history

That’s a horrible comment. My daughter is the youngest, and looks to her older brother for protection and guidance. Oldest sisters can be the same with their brothers. I am the oldest and always look out for my younger siblings. It’s not sexist .

TheSummerPalace · 02/09/2022 20:51

Sitting in one of our favourite restaurants, on the beach, looking at a beautiful gulf in the setting sun in Greece! (This year)

Sitting in another restaurant a 100 yards down the road, on the same beach; but the highlight was the best lamb souvlaki I’d ever had!

hels71 · 02/09/2022 21:46

This summer. Sitting on the beach at Sandsend near Whitby. The weather was gorgeous. I had my crocheting, DD was happily splashing in the sea ( she is 15). It was perfect and I was so happy.

AgathaBrazen · 02/09/2022 21:49

A couple of weeks ago at Coldplay concert. Everyone was dancing and singing. I was all hot and sweaty. It was fucking amazing.

Monkeyseesmonkeydoesn · 02/09/2022 21:51

Today, when my 21 month old whispered for the first time and he was utterly delighted at his achievement

Musicaltheatremum · 02/09/2022 22:04

17 weeks ago when I married my husband. All plunged into despair now as my mum became unwell a couple of weeks later and after a rapid cruel illness died 2 weeks ago.

SallyWD · 02/09/2022 22:33

I've been thinking about this throughout the summer holidays - we've done so many exciting things, had a lot of wonderful experiences but I've just felt rather.... flat. I feel that I should have felt more joyful given all the adventures we've had. My family were certainly joyful. I felt like a bit of a misery guts trying to rein everyone in all the time. When I should perhaps have felt excited and happy I just felt tired. For most of the time I would have been happier pottering around at home. I'm not depressed, I just feel I've become a creature of habit and I've lost my sense of adventure. I think it's the perimenopause. I often want quiet time alone rather than doing fun activities with the family or socialising with friends. I don't feel real joy frequently but I do have a feeling of quiet contentment a lot of the time - which is positive.

LadyShort · 02/09/2022 23:34

@Stickmansmum I didn't explain why I said he looks out for her. She's epileptic and has had a terrible time in the past getting her seizures under control, which he has witnessed on many occasions. She has always struggled where other people may have it easier. Just as something goes right for her epilepsy snatches it away. For example, she passed her driving test first time, then had a seizure while driving which means she has now had to give up her licence. Makes us all protective of her

She is very capable, is very successful in her work, lives on her own and is very independent.

As I said in my post, I had an illness the other year which nearly killed me. I don't know if the illness will come back and kill me next time, but it comforts me to know that if I'm not around I know he would always be there for her. As obviously she is there for him.

Hope that explains it better for you, it wasn't a sexist comment, and it does bring me joy seeing them together

Watchthesunrise · 02/09/2022 23:52

My dog makes me joyful. All the time.

StillMedusa · 02/09/2022 23:54

Watching my DD1, graduating from Med School as a doctor in 2015. She graduated having battled anorexia .
As she stood there with the other new doctors, all reciting the Hippocratic Oath to 'first do no harm' ... it was so moving and joyful and just full of hope.

On a daily basis having my 16m old grandson's face light up when I walk into DD2's house, or he's dropped off (I care for him a few times a week) brings me daily joy. Having a small newish human utterly trust and love me, is incredible!

Oh and my dog dashing through the fields with a big daft grin on her face... totally happy and free!

Framboisery · 03/09/2022 00:04

I know what you mean Sally, I feel I've lost the sense of adventure my younger self had.

Axlcat · 03/09/2022 00:52

This evening feeding the ducks on my daily walk. It’s the little things that bring me the greatest joy.

WeAreAllLionesses · 03/09/2022 01:21

Seeing the kids' exam results and knowing they could go where they really wanted for uni.

Joy quickly followed by relief!

grrsoangry · 03/09/2022 01:44

Mind when was my daughters dad left me in pregnancy. Alfred about a week I had this routine of writing in my diary and audio books and a week later I felt this real joy and peace and freedom. I got back with him and the feeling vanished but for about 4 weeks I felt this real feeling of life was perfects even though I was about to have two children to different dads and my worst nightmare I felt like the luckiest person alive.

Wish I kept up with that and never took him back x

BluOcty · 03/09/2022 07:52

On holiday in Norfolk when we went looking for mini beasts and found a frog! We are long term city dwellers so we found this amazing and joyful 😂 It was a moment of pure simple joy.

Itslookinggood · 03/09/2022 08:31

I sometimes feel that I should feel joyful but I don’t. Then I worry about why I’m not feeling joyful….

but we’ve had a fab summer - thr first one I can remember that the kids & I have enjoyed it equally (normally I am half killing myself to make it enjoyable for thr kids while balancing work, single parenthood etc)

Like pp also the Coldplay concert.

and like many pps, the dog - new puppy and she is adorable.

three years out of horrible abusive marriage and life finally feels good again. I’d say less the electric shock of pure joy and a more low key feeling of contentment and peace.

Catchingatstars · 03/09/2022 09:01

Yesterday - laughing with my DD at a silly balloon game we were playing together. Just being in the moment with her and enjoying each others company. she was so happy and joyful it was infectious!

Acidrain · 12/09/2022 13:06

Stood on the balcony of our hotel next to lake garda, opening up the balcony curtain (like what you got in old shops), sitting on that same balcony watching a thunder storm over the lake with an excited 4 year old.
That whole holiday was like that, such an amazing place and a place deep in my heart.

AandFsMum · 12/09/2022 13:19

Every single day since my divorce 3 years ago 😁
I wake up happy, free and full of joy. I fill my days doing what makes me smile. I can honestly say I've never been happier.

MrsDarcy1989x · 12/09/2022 13:55

March 31st, the day my daughter was born. I’ve been happy since then. But that was the last time I cried with happiness. There’s a little joy in every day. Even the hard ones.

Kissingfrogs25 · 12/09/2022 14:10

On holiday as the sun beamed down the breeze was rustling above in the trees and the well being joy was off the scale
When I hold my teen dd in my arms, I get a rush of joy as I miss her, and she smells like her, and she is so soft and gorgeous to cuddle, she literally melts my heart
My eldest dd is too tall to cuddle but I felt joyful seeing her after a holiday she took alone with friends
On a boat in the summer - it was really so joyful seeing the seals
I had a rush of joy whenever I cycle, bikes are so good for that and the wind in my hair and sense of freedom reminds me immediately of being a child

I feel joy quite regularly.
It happens a lot more often than I realise.

A clean bed gives me a feeling of joy and burying into the duvet, especially in the rain. Many moments can and are joyful.

Kissingfrogs25 · 12/09/2022 14:15

DamnUserName21 · 02/09/2022 20:21

@GalesThisMorning
Sounds incredible!!😍

Show quote history

I think you should carry on with it over the autumn and winter unless it is frozen followed by a warm chocolate!