What brings you joy?

[Amianidiott]

I’m turning 40 this year and it’s made me think - I don’t have much that prompts joy any more in my life. I know I’m incredibly lucky that I have lots of aspects of my life that bring me contentment and happiness (my lovely DC, my home, building financial stability, my lovely friends) and I’ve always been good at finding happiness in small moments (laundry on the line, fresh sheets, impromptu kitchen dances with my boys, volunteering in my spare time etc) but very few things bring me euphoric joy any more.

i don’t if this is due to circumstance, or age, or if I need to actively pursue the feeling?

over the last 5 years, I have developed a chronic illness that affects my joints, so I’ve had to give up lots of the activities that used to give me that euphoric rush (running, dancing, moved from a fast paced demanding job I loved to a slower role and dressing up to the nines with heels etc).

there are still some things that work, but quite few and far between - a whole day with my childhood best friends where we laugh the whole time (but based on where we live, this is maybe once every 2 years).

do you still feel euphoric, exhilarating joy? If so, what brings you joy? Or have you also found it’s normal to settle into contentment as you age?

Yoga
Beautiful view
Hugging DC
Delicious food
Great wine, strong coffee, chocolate
Silence
Good solid sleep

I second this - anyone that drains you even slightly (not kids obvs) - off they go.

I recently had to give up something that I loved because it was entangled with someone who was a constant source of stress and anxiety. I stuck it out - fearing the loss of the thing I loved. Until I was pushed to far.

Yes, I still miss the thing I loved, but the freedom from the stress and anxiety and harm outweighs the 'missing'

Started horse riding again after about 20 years!

Bracing walks, especially if by a river and even better if by the sea. Otherwise, a hill or even the local park will do.

Going to a local pub for a couple of pints and to stick a fiver in the jukebox.

Going out dancing, but sadly my opportunities for this are very few and far between.

I’ve been teaching myself to sew, and the satisfaction of somebody saying, “I love your dress” and being able to reply, “Thanks. I made it” absolutely blows my mind.

I'm generally happy and content and have a good life. For me, joy is something that just happens and can't be planned for.

Thinking back over the last year the common denominators when I have felt joy are that I have been doing something I love, that's new in some way and makes me feel young, unencumbered, authentically myself and free. Mine seem mainly related to live music and travel.

We just got a puppy and she gives me proper joy I’ve not felt in a while. But then the clouds in the sky were stunning yesterday and I was in awe of them… I sometimes think it can be a mindset and when you feel joy you look for other things to get joy from.

Laat year I found various chrysalises in the garden, took them in. I am still proper excited when I talk about the moths and butterflies which came out of it so imagine the joy when I was watching them coming out (andbombarded frienda and family with live coverage).... I am easily excitable... So I get joy often.

For you it sounds it was a lot physical activity. Is there any new one you could start and do safely without pain? Might give you that buzz

Going to concerts to see bands I love.
Going to the beach.
Flying a kite, a proper one with two strings (can you tell I'm new to this).
Having fun in the snow with DS.
Hiking.

I'm not sure if euphoria is something that should happen regularly or be chased after. It's the unexpectedness of that surge of joy that truly makes your heart sing. If you are actively seeking it, that takes away from it surely?

I felt that way last summer. I was pootling around snorkeling, swam around a rock and came face to face with the most gorgeous wild loggerhead turtle. She was beautiful and looked directly at me and just carried on with what she was doing. I thought I would burst with joy and was on cloud 9 for days. Such a unique experience and totally unexpected.

Choir and painting give sparks of joy. Euphoria don’t think I’ve ever felt that.

I'd be interested to know how you've done this, please? Books? YouTube? I loved doing machine sewing at school, very basic, though. Imagine making your own nice clothes is wonderful.

@unsync I love snorkelling. Havent done it for years. Putting that on my bucket list this year. It is such euphoria meeting turtles!

I had a holiday in the Maldives many years ago, amazing snorkeling and turtles that would swim closely alongside you, it was one of the best experiences of my life. Eye to eye with a picasso trigger fish was surreal.

Fairy lights & candles in the evening for a cosy vibe
Colouring in
Reading
Getting in bed with my warm electric blanket switch on whilst watching my favourite you tubers
Circular hill / countryside walks
Feeding ducks & topping up bird feeders in the local park
Sound baths
My exercise routine (weights & running)
Dog sitting for my mums 2 x dogs
Hot chocolate
Beach walks
Sports massages
Warm bath
Most importantly, keeping promises that ive made to myself

The first coffee in the morning
The first glass of wine in the evening
Walking in nature
Having a blow dry
Eating a healthy meal
Reading a self-help book.

I feel joyful quite regularly and am 59.

Thinking about it, most of my joy comes from DDog.

Spending less time in the digital world and more time in the natural world (gardening, country and coastal walks, etc)

Good telly
Good book
Good cup of tea
Good wine
Good food
Good company
Good lie-in

Slow mornings bring me joy.
Leisurely coffee and relaxing listening to the radio.
Making a nice breakfast and pottering before having to get ready for the day.

When my kids (17, 14 and 4) are all at home together. It's also the only time I find I can sleep properly knowing they are all safe and sound.
Doesn't happen anywhere near as often as I would like, but it brings me that heart-felt joy ♥️

So many things. Ever since I was a child I've always felt lucky that so many little things bring me joy. Even as a child, I could see this wasn't the case for everyone.
So the big things bring me joy - DH, my children, my wider family, having a nice home and my health (I've had cancer so I dont take my health for granted). But then also little things like a good book, some new shower gel or nice soaps, walking in nature (which I do every day), sitting down at the end of the day to watch TV, a nice cup of tea, being with my cat.
The list is endless.

Writing. This morning DH set up playdoh at the table for the kids and he played with them for nearly 2 hours. I went into the bedroom with 50s and 60s music, a large coffee and I wrote my book for that time. It honestly gives me such a high getting lost in my made up world.

Taking off on a big plane

Horses
Dogs