What is your idea of perfect happiness?

[JoonT]

Where and when are you perfectly happy?

For me:

1. Laying in a hot bath listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes or P. G. Wodehouse on audiobook.

2. Walking through the snow on a bright, still morning, with not a single human being for miles around. The sun is glittering on the snow, and the dog is running round and round in excitement. I can't hear any noisy cars, and I can't see any houses. Everything is just silent and beautiful.

3. Wandering around an art exhibition, ideally of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Pissaro or Monet. The gallery is big, with high ceilings and marbles floors and sunlight softly lighting up each room.

4. Cooking while listening to A Good Read on Radio 4, or old episodes of Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time (on something like Stoicism or Zen Buddhism or William Blake).

For me it's lying in the sun abroad without the usual rushing around of day to day life . But when I'm home it's a lovely day out with the kids and grandkids followed by a nice Indian takeaway

my bit of paradise is my bedroom with a good book before i go to sleep

I'll join you in all of yours op. Plus I'll add-in painting or sewing as I love both. Also snuggling with my cat & dog (that I don't currently have)

Having someone play with my hair gently.

Being on my own in a variety of different settings

On an international train going somewhere new.

@Squabbledee oh my god yes !

Can't imagine anything more annoying 😂

I took my mum to Venice, while she was napping I wandered until I found a little square, ordered a spritz and bruschetta and watched the world go by. It was heaven and I return in my head all the time

My little bit of happiness each day is a cup of green tea in bed before my husband comes up and Cuddling my kids in their towels when they get out of the bath.

My big bit of happiness is sitting drinking a creamy cocktail in a big city people watching in the sun.

Sat in a café with a coffee, somewhere near a window so I can people watch.

Pouring myself a drink, lighting some candles and putting on some music on a Friday night at home after DDs have gone to bed.

Going to bed early with a book or magazine and a cup of tea, electric blanket on.
Friday/ Saturday night opening bottle of wine, playing some music and getting a bit pissed.
Husband tickling my back/ feet ( gently) whilst watching TV.

I felt it breastfeeding my baby and playing with her in parks, making a first sand castle for her, blowing bubbles while she gasped in wonder, etc. I didn’t know it was possible to be that content.

It was an idyllic two years.

Having a cuddle from my cat.
rainy, windy afternoon with all chores done and fire on with cat curled up next to me and husband beside me either reading a good book or watching a good series on Netflix.
that high endorphin feeling, full of energy and vitality, after a morning workout.
mastering a difficult pose in Yoga.
achieving a damn good score on open uni assignment when you found it difficult.
that feeling when your so tired and you can finally climb into bed.
A massive, tears coming out of your eyes, belly laugh with husband or friend.

Having my hair washed in the hairdressers!

Walking in the woods with my dog running free just me and him. Getting into bed with my electric blanket on and watching my programmes in peace with a cup of tea

Excellent thread OP!
My list:
My husband making me laugh - sometimes he can be funny
Getting into bed with a good book when I have put my heated blanket on
The rain outside when I'm in bed or in the bath
Driving in france
My local library
Sitting in my greenhouse with a cuppa

This is such a lovely thread and making me realise how much happiness I have (even though I complain a lot!)

My friends think it’s hilarious that I have an electric blanket but there’s nothing better than getting in bed and reading a book or watching something on Netflix all nice and toasty. My kindred electric blanket spirits are on this thread!

I'm going to bed early with a hot water bottle and an audiobook, that's sort of the same!

Cuddling my dog (as I am right now). Paddleboarding anywhere.

This is a lovely read. It appears that you all love the simple things in life.

Im happy when something good happens to my kids.

That and my electric blanket of course

cuddling my dog on the sofa while watching a documentary- I hardly ever get to watch TV & I really like it.

Getting to Friday & knowing my bottle of Prosecco is in the fridge waiting for me.

a Waitrose ready meal on a sat night - mainly because to put something in the microwave, eat it & have no washing up is HEAVEN!

Sitting in my garden on a summers day, listening to all the birds.

Getting into bed n fresh bedding night after the elective blanket has been in for ages!

& many more things, I like a simple life.