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?

Snuggling dh,ds or my 2 dogs

Plugging a USB in correctly on the first attempt.

When my cat climbs onto my lap and snoozes, purring his head off.

Skiing down a lovely, uncrowded run on a clear bluebird day.

Riding my motorbike around Scotland in the sunshine with my friends.

An early night: freshly showered, fresh sheets and pjs.

I’m happier since I hit 50 so it’s not an age thing for me.
-sunshine on a misty field
-gardening in my daughter’s garden, watched by robins
-hanging out with my children
-walking into our community theatre and feeling the buzz of rehearsal
-stretching in bed
-choosing the perfect earrings
all sorts of stuff. I find it very easy to be happy after some very sad and anxious years.

Drinking a hot cup of tea, by myself, first thing.

My beautiful DDs’ smiling faces. My baby napping in my arms, the feel of my toddler’s pudgy hand in mine. Her little arms around my neck when we cuddle. The look of innocence and trust on their faces when they sleep. Pure joy.

Climbing into bed when the sheets are fresh.

An evening to myself. A hot bath in a clean bathroom with some chocolate and mumsnet, then into bed with some trash on Netflix.

A glass of wine, with family milling around in the garden on a summer afternoon.

A glass of wine on a summer’s evening with DH in the garden once the girls are in bed.

The sound of my DDs interacting and making each other laugh.

Watching them play when they haven’t realised I’m watching them.

A steam room.

Singing.

Travel, mixing up the daily routine. Conversely I find it immensely satisfying and comforting when things run to plan and are predictable.

I’m really in the thick of the baby years, have so little time to myself and less money than ever! But I’ve never been happier. For me, it really is the little things.

Heaven x

Being alone in the house and taking a cup of tea up to bed when it's so early there's still light in the sky.

Watching my husband wet shave.

Having a day to myself in town, just slowly browsing random shops and buying a few little treats. Then stopping for coffee and cake before browsing some more.

Fun days out with my family. Love the warm sunshine, seaside strolls, woodland walks and our time spent together.

Holiday adventures with my family. Traveling and exploring different countries is a real privilege so it’s so great to have these kinds of adventures with family.

Kisses and cuddles with the kids. Hearing my kids play together and laugh. For me, it’s the best sound ever and it just warms my heart.

But also, when my kids nap and when the day is over and they are in their beds asleep.

Quality time with my DH. There isn’t enough time in the day.

Having a really productive work day.

Catch ups and spending time with friends.

Having “me” time. Checking out an art exhibit or a museum then going shopping and having a meal.

Trying a new restaurant or a new cuisine from a new country.

A nice glass of white wine.

The first cup of coffee after dropping the kids off.

Naps and massages. It’s a great feeling when you are refreshed and relaxed.

Eating comfort food at home in comfy pjs and a warm duvet.

I think I used to have more of these ‘pure joy’ moments in my teens/early 20s but as a whole in that phase of my life I wasn’t actually happy. I think it was just the carefree nature of going on nights out or even just for ice cream with friends with 20 minutes notice. Looking back everything seems so fun and no night out now compares but I think society as a whole has changed since then (10/12 years ago). No one was videoing it for Instagram. Someone would occasionally bring their camera and take the most random pictures but none of them were posed. People were more in the moment.

Now I’d say I’m more truly happy with life.. husband, house, toddler, dog etc. It’s simple things now. Like others have said there’s something about the beach. Booking a holiday and the feeling in the lead up to it.. waiting at the airport. Walking with my toddler and dog, just chatting about the cows in the field. When he laughs uncontrollably or does a new thing that surprises me

It's all about brain chemicals, isn't it? Endorphins, oxytocin, melatonin... whatever gives you the right dose of them. Plus some excitement - adrenaline? Funny how feeling safe, secure and contented with a cat/dog/child/partner to cuddle is one kind of joy and hurtling down a slope on skis or a bike is another type (for me, not everyone, I know!) Looking forward to things is a joy in itself and that's why I think it's become harder to attain - constant uncertainty and cancellations of lockdowns etc has kind of pulled the rug out.

I'm very lucky in that my husband and I still love each other dearly after 30+ years.
We are also very lucky in that we have a lovely garden that brings us much joy. We love working in it, going to other gardens for ideas and we love, weather permitting, just sitting out there in the peace and tranquillity of it... neighbours permitting!

Walking in the woods searching for fungi and my mind is empty of anything but the search. Even better if I find something new 😍

Having a right old laugh with friends on a night out

My kids telling me they love me... or even better, each other

Hot showers

Walking in nature

Seeing my plants grow

Many moons ago I would have picked them, made mushie tea and enjoyed the ride ✌️

Good sleep
Good food
Good people, especially family
Laughing
Good books
Making someone happy
Helping someone
Binge watching on my onesie
Fresh air
Feeling loved and secure
The sun on my face
The breeze in my hair
Spring blossom
Freshly laundered bed linen
Soft thick woolly clothes
Hugs
Being right!
Karma
All the little wins - green lights when you're running late. When someone cancels before you do etc
Money, seriously - anyone who doesn't, try being skint all the time. It's shit.

So much more. Thanks for this thread.

Sitting by the ocean watching waves crash against the rocks. Pure heaven.

Watching the sunrise whilst driving to work. Pure joy.

Tinkering around on the keyboard at home. I've just started to learn a Beethoven piece and love playing what I know so far, I really get lost in it and feel happy.
Smelling roses in summer
When the kids go to bed 🤣 and I get to lay on my own bed and just close my eyes with classic FM on (after my shower and teeth brushed so I feel all clean and nice)
Hugs
That post exercise buzz

M&S Chilli cheddar!
Time with my DC
Walking on the beach
Pub quiz I go to on a Tuesday. Am part of a team and sometimes it's the only adult interaction I get all week outside of work. Its the only place where I feel like I am me, not a colleague or someones mum.

Sunny days with my horses snoozing in the sunshine. A good ride. My dog spooning me at night. Sunsets. Amazing views. The discovery of a brilliant cleaning product. Praise from colleagues on a job well done. A really good book.

I get way more joy as an adult than I did as a child because I’m finally doing more of what I want to do.

Walking with my dog on a crisp winters day in the countryside. That's when I feel true happiness 😊

My ginger boy sat on my knee, purring.

Silence, space and sunshine make me happy. So do bookshops and coffee shops (especially when they’re empty). I’m not a natural depressive, but I do find noise and stress lower my mood. I absolutely hate having lots of people on top of me.

Yesterday, for example, I drove out into the countryside and walked the dog. I stood in the middle of a field, with birds singing and the sun on my face, and felt very happy. Then I drove home!! As I approached my home town, the traffic began to build, and I was surrounded by ugly housing estates and women yelling at their kids and the exploding of giant car exhausts, etc. Where I live, there are just too many people crammed together. By the time I pulled into my drive, my mood had dropped through the floor.

Over the last month, my happiest moments (in which I have felt a burst of joy/bliss) have been:

1. Meeting a friend for a coffee early one morning in Neros. It was empty, the girl who served me was sweet and polite, and we sat near the window with the sun streaming in.

2. Laying in a hot bath listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes.

3. Eating a whole bar of Galaxy with a glass of cold milk.

4. Sitting in my mother’s conservatory reading P G Wodehouse out loud to her and hearing her laugh (she is widowed, and has both physical and mental health problems, so it’s lovely to hear her laugh).

5. Giving my neighbour a lift into town. She’s a lovely person, and she’s had a f-ing bitch of a life, so helping her out/being kind to her makes me so happy.

6. Playing with a neighbour’s new cockapoo puppy.

7. Reading Dickens (while laying in the bath).

8. Watching a DVD boxset of I Claudius with a bottle of red wine.

Fresh flowers.

Walking down St Kilda Road towards or away from the Yarra in the centre of Melbourne. It's lined by plane trees and makes me remember every time how beautiful a place it is.

Walking my dog on the beach.

Agree with @Ragwort - I get giddy with excitement when I know everyone is off out for the day/evening. The peace brings me so much happiness.