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Original poster

What makes you truly simply happy?

105 replies

mids2019 · 06/02/2023 23:18

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?

OP posts:
Idratherbepaddleboarding · 07/02/2023 06:10

Early mornings (so right now) with my dog lying his head on my lap, coffee and Netflix to myself.

Paddleboarding on a hot summer’s day.

Going to the beach.

Lulu1919 · 07/02/2023 06:23

Listening to the sea
The smell of the cheap bunch of daffodils I've got in my sitting room

Roselilly36 · 07/02/2023 06:36

Sitting around the dinner table with DH & our grown up sons, eating dinner and chatting & laughing about our day together.

Visiting a sandy beach, we have a lot of choice locally.

IHeartGeneHunt · 07/02/2023 06:56

Knitting in bed listening to old radio plays
Being in my beautiful allotment
Ducks will never not make me happy

Stakhanovite · 07/02/2023 07:00

The secret knowledge that I'm going to be quitting my job. Things that made my blood boil on a daily basis just chill me out and make me think: "Ah, how lovely to be getting out of this".

BarrelOfOtters · 07/02/2023 07:06

@mids2019 i felt like this and struggled to fine happiness when I was very stressed and heading into a depression. Some of it was peri menopause. I Thad to start noticing the small stuff. I rry and do it consciously now…to relax.

for my husband it’s so easy…he just adores the dog and she adores him.

DomesticShortHair · 07/02/2023 07:07

5 p.m. on a Friday.

Noicant · 07/02/2023 07:08

The feeling I get after I exercise, have a shower and sit down with a coffee. Maybe thats more satisfaction but I feel at peace with myself for half an hour.

Movie night with DH, we don’t have much time during the week but on Friday night we share a bottle of wine and watch a movie. We have very busy weeks but it’s the point where we both just sit down together for a few hours.

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 07/02/2023 07:14

In no particular order:

Swimming. No phones nearby to distract me.

My children.

Hearing the sound of my DH’s key in the lock.

The smell of my cat’s belly!

A good book.

Baking.

80s/90s films from my childhood.

A glass of cold New Zealand white wine or a jammy red.

Seeing friends.

Afternoon tea.

Hot, bubbly bath.

BrokenHill · 07/02/2023 07:15

Festivals.

Sunriseinwonderland · 07/02/2023 07:23

My lovely 40 year old son visiting.
My two cats.
Not having any endless admin from work to do on my days off and being able to do my miniatures. I make small scale dollshouses and contents.
My house being g freshly cleaned and tidy.
Going for a walk in spring and seeing the flowers emerge.
Walking by the beach and taking in the sea air. We have some lovely deserted beaches here in Somerset.

SallyWD · 07/02/2023 07:24

mids2019 · 06/02/2023 23:24

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.

It's not too late! My mum started learning the piano at 70. I never saw her as a musical person but I'm blown away when I hear her play. It's beautiful.

3ofus3 · 07/02/2023 07:24

Retail therapy 🤣. No I love waiting for my DS (10 months) nap, pack up for a few hours so baby naps around town and I just walk around getting bits I need taking my time while baby sleeps. When he wakes we find a cafe so he can have his dinner 😊

Sounds daft but I love it! ❤️

CluelessHamster · 07/02/2023 07:26

Ragwort · 06/02/2023 23:24

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.

Me too!

JamSandle · 07/02/2023 07:28

Being in the sea

WinterFoxes · 07/02/2023 07:37

Tiny moments rather than long ones. Cuddling our ancient cat until he purrs.
The other day, going out into the garden and two geese flying overhead, honking like two mates gossiping away.
A fox doing a downward dog on our patio before strolling off.
Watching woodpeckers tapping at our apple tree and green parakeets queuing on washing line for access to the bird feeder.
The morning and evening skies on the hill over our village.
Hearing good news in the lives of family and friends - especially DC who are both away at uni. If they call to tell me something nice has happened, I get a burst of joy.
Some music. Allegri's Misere came onto the radio yesterday and I felt a physical rush of happiness.
Making a perfect cup of coffee - right strength, milk bubbles, cinnamon in the right mug.
DC arriving home from uni.

It's not usually long periods of happiness. More short bursts of it through the day.

nationallampoons · 07/02/2023 08:49

I can't remember the last time I felt genuinely happy

YouNeverCanTellWithBees · 07/02/2023 09:10

DC playing happily together.
Cuddles with them or naps with the littlest.
A good cup of tea.
Catch ups with my oldest friends.
Being by the sea

WinterFoxes · 07/02/2023 09:16

nationallampoons · 07/02/2023 08:49

I can't remember the last time I felt genuinely happy

Do you not get tiny flashes of happiness? I looked up at the misty sky this morning and three birds flew by. They were pigeons but in the pale mist they looked like white doves and for a moment that made me happy.

If you play a favourite song - does that not make you happy for the time it is on?

I really belive in catching tiny moments of happiness. The more you do this, the more they add up in a day: appreciate the taste of a good coffee or tea in the morning, appreciate the hot facecloth on your skin, or the scent of refreshing shower gel, or your child's excited giggle when they are playing or their wonder at a silver snail trail etc. Just collect the tiny moments. I know that sounds cheesy but it really does work.

Iwantabloodypizza · 07/02/2023 09:22

I don’t know.

I have honestly never felt happiness. Not even as a child. There has always been some sort of absolute shit going on. I’ve had a lot of horrible things happen in my life.

They closest I come is when I hear my children (20,8 and 2) talking and telling each other they love each other totally unprompted.

I would love to know what being truly happy feels like.

roarfeckingroarr · 07/02/2023 09:35

Cuddles from my toddler. Breathing him in, especially when it's just the two of us doing something fun.

peachescariad · 07/02/2023 09:37

Sitting around the dinner table with my 3 adult kids.

Being on Llangennith beach

ChangedmynameagainforChristmas · 07/02/2023 09:39

@Offleyhoo · Yesterday 23:25
Going for a walk and coffee with my adult children and just chatting with them.
My dog.

I'll second this and add cake

Tidsleytiddy · 07/02/2023 09:48

Ragwort · 06/02/2023 23:24

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.

This

MarshaBradyo · 07/02/2023 09:50

Getting to do work I love
My dc (most of time anyway)
My garden
Good radio - informative or music
A good parent only date / socialising
Being alone when family is at school / work