What makes you truly simply happy?

[mids2019]

As I get older I think it becomes increasingly hard to feel pure simple unadulterated joy. I removed vaguely times during childhood where I did have feelings of bliss but the past now is remote.

What makes you simply happy? Is it a relationship or a state of mind for example? Is age a barrier to such feelings freelings?

Making something useful and creative with my hands.

Whizzing down a mountain on a clear bluebird ski day.

Mastering a new skill

Walking in the sunshine, a breath of sea air, the first bite of a really good sponge cake, laying in the sun, waking up from a great sleep feeling refreshed, a really long run, yoga, exploring new places etc

I used to like learning new skills but I find it difficult as I get oldef. Would love to have learnt how to play an instrument.

I believe I am at my happiest when I am completely alone, in my own home - no elderly parents, DH or adult DC wanting my company, no needy colleagues at work ... just time and space to be alone, do whatever I want without having to take anyone else into consideration.

Going for a walk and coffee with my adult children and just chatting with them.

My dog.

Chilli Doritos

Today I had a lovely walk along the canal. The sun was out and I sat having a coffee watching the ducks and swans. I felt happy and enjoying life.

Playing in my symphony orchestra. It's amazing!

My kids napping on me.
Really good cheese on toast, right up to the edges with Lea and perrins splashed on.
The special three hand squeezes my kids and I give each other, it’s our secret way of saying ‘I love you’ to each other.
Orange and purple clouds at sunset.
That feeling of warm when you lie on the grass in summer and just feel the sun on your skin.
Theatre curtains going up.

@Ragwort

I used to and still do to some extent feel as you. I do though find it quite hard to escape worry even on my own . I wonder if happiness needs some form of escapism?

Laying in bed with my son watching cartoons.

Smelling my dogs feet.

Hearing my children belly laugh.

Warm sunny days.

A good nap.

My husband.

Great thread… love ones like this!

I don’t think age is a factor. I think my unbridled moments of joy are fewer and further between than as a young child, but I still feel truly happy quite often.

1. our children - yes, on a good day. Most often when they are tucked up asleep and the day is done! But often when they are howling with laughter, or have a new in-joke between them, or are just in their zone and I’m watching or playing with them.
2. those rare occasions when DH and I get some proper time off together - a night away or a special meal out and I’ve had the time/inclination to make myself fanciable again. Taking time for self care is huge, I don’t get enough of it, unless you count running…
3. running - on a good day (or wet with rain/freezing in snow), but today the sun was out and I found the groove and it was fab. I felt accomplished and happy.
4. wider family - a big get together, a meal, feeling totally at home and comfortable.

My husband , my family, my pets sunny Days

Oh… And really great coffee.

A much needed white wine, usually just the first one though.

And as @Ragwort said, sometimes just a day completely alone on my own timetable. No pressures, no demands.

Anytime we’re near the sea I feel pure unadulterated joy! Long walks/ swimming/ just sitting reading a book with no interruptions, getting hair done, watching comedy,getting to properly chat with the kids (I work weekends/they have homework during the week etc so not a lot of quality non tired time), lie ins!!

Was my cat, passed away Thursday, hoping to get another soon.

I'm generally happy most of the time. At work they call me smiley because I'm always so chipper. Life is not always easy but I find happiness in little things. Talking with friends. Being with family. I think for me happiness is a state of mind I can control and I choose to be happy. I'm 55 so I don't think age plays a part. It's just the way I'm hard wired I guess

Dogs, the sea, drawing, writing, reading, walking, solitude, TREES.

• Being with my friends
• A really good meal
• Sitting in a beer garden, listening to a live band on a sunny day
• watching my kids play together
• my kids giving me cuddles
• snuggling up to DH in bed

Winter evenings, sat on the sofa or in bed with my husband and DC. Watching films.. my happy place

I hope you do ❤️
Tell us about your cat.

My children’s success, happiness, beauty, laughter…they fill me up with happy.

Rubbing my face in my youngest cat's fur. All of my cats are brilliant, but I hand-reared the girl cat and she is such a mummy's girl. Her little raspy purr gives me so much joy.

Trees.

My ability to make an absolutely perfect cheese sauce.

Propagating house plants - a previously unknown skill I discovered over lockdown. I have a glorious tradescantia that I've nurtured from tinyandwee that is my pride and joy, a couple of pothos cuttings that are doing really well, and a few spider babies to bring on. Bit worried about my parlour palm, though.

Watching my OH eat chocolate mousse.

Pretty much that too.

CuriousMama………my loving petite tabby,Abby cameras an 18 mth old rescue, found in the snow Dec’10.
i love alone, she was frightened to eat, nervous, didn’t like men or children, took years to get confident ( 6) around men, after some renovations.
lost her at 13, she seemed happy and content in her old age, I loved her velvet coat and gentle purrs, sleeping next to me, and curious as to what I ate for dinner