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?

Hearing my husband and child laugh
A long swim followed by a well-earned spa pool and sauna session
A beautiful sunset
Moonrise - and the moon cutting a path through water
Star gazing
My friends
My fire pit as used in summer evenings on the patio, and the leaping flames of my log burner in winter
A powerful electric storm
Suddenly catching a glimpse of a hare, a herd of deer, a hen harrier, or hearing an owl hooting nearby
Great music - both classical and modern
A long bath with scented salts and candles
A good book

I’m another vote for my dog. My cockapoo brings me joy every day. Just watching her be joyful brings me joy. And I like bird watching more as I get older too. Stick a bird feeder up by your window and watch away! Lastly, cooking a great meal for people I love brings me joy. Good luck with finding your moments!

Reading and writing poetry

Listening to music

I get a lot of joy, especially now my time is my own; and I get euphoria from time to time.
Most euphoric experiences are around my witchcraft, night sky phenomena, woodland and dreams.
Joyful experiences include solo travel, music, family, old friends, mucking about with my dolls houses, my dogs, morning tea, being cosy at home, singing and chanting, drumming, wild camping… far too many to mention.

Singing in my choir

It might be a cliche but my son.
He is adopted and has had many struggles in life. Every time he achieves something that other people take for granted, I'm just so thrilled for him

I'd be ecstatic beyond belief if I manage to grow some carrots and parsnips on my allotment this year

Tilly and the Buttons patterns (start with the Jamie PJs or the Safiya trousers - the latter are in a book and need tracing; the former are a paper pattern to buy: to begin with, I'd say the paper pattern is easiest). She has useful videos on her website too. They are straightforward - the most complicated thing is deciding what size to cut.

Rock climbing, skiing, sometimes scuba, sometimes hiking, sometimes horse riding.

Lots of the things people have mentioned are nice, but they don't get to the level of "pure joy", maybe more "quiet contentment" or "enjoyment".

All mine are physical and preferably with an edge of danger to provoke joy or euphoria. I'm going to be fucked when I'm too old to do them!!

There is something so addictive about riding anything: waves, motorbikes, horses!

I gave up horse riding two years ago after a serious accident in which I broke my spine. It's restricted my mobility quite significantly, as I have long rods impeding the movement in my spine. I can't lumbar-twist at all anymore, so can't crawl when swimming, etc. I'll never ride again, sadly. I promised my DC I wouldn't. But I'm so grateful to be alive and mobile regardless. I might have broken my neck, or become completely paralysed, so I know just how lucky I am.

I'm hoping to have the rods removed. I once loved surfing and was a keen fell-walker, and am keeping my fitness up as much as can given restrictions, so that once the rods are out I can take pleasure in the beautiful mountains and waves again.

But if I can't, then I can at least take pleasure in many other things. Things like this really make you reevaluate what's good in life.

Me too! I love to see the sea, hear it, be in it. Purest moment of joy, apart from the days my kids were born, was was treading water in the chilly north sea on the east coast and a couple of swifts bombing in towards the lshore and almost clipping me with their wings as they swooped over. I am very much missing the sea at the moment, it's been months.

But those moments are rare and like another poster I have always taken joy in the little things, the glimmers - sounds naff but when the robins join you to garden, or we see a flock of long tailed tits on a bush near the house. The spring buds coming out and up. Close encounters with tiny bit of nature like hummingbird moths.

Oh and moments alone with incredible things. I went to the Van Gogh museum last year while on a work trip and burst into tears in the room of self portraits, not because of the myth of his story or sadness, but because the pictures have been so meaningful in my life and are so incredible - paintings about painting.

Ach all sounds very worthy and naff. Agree with PP joy these days seems not to be about the new or exciting, but about being present to really see or feel something and at the same time they spark a resonance across a life time. Perhaps there is more gratitude in my joy than exilharation these days? I think I may have got old.

Singing in a choir. Walking in the countryside. Sharing a really good joke with my friends. Bear hugs from my DSs. Seeing the seasons change.

My cat brings me joy every day. He’s so funny, and I love him so much. I also love seeing happy dogs running in the park.

Bit niche, but I’m a lecturer and I get real joy when an ex student reaches out to tell me about their successes. Also when a current student who is struggling “gets it”. I am currently teaching a mature student in their 60s who is very “digitally challenged” and it’s an absolute pleasure to see them click with things.

Music - moving to music and discovering new music
Listening to live music
Great sex
Hugs with my children
When my children are clearly exhilarated, absorbed by something they enjoy and when they share things with me they're joyful about
Lifting weights
Laughing with friends
Being with my lovely mum
Coffee on my own before everyone wakes up - even better if it's whilst the sun is rising
Walks on the beach (very rare these days)

My DD & dog
getting a dry day so I can go for a walk
documentaries
gardening
meals with friends
owning my own house & not struggling for money

Just went for a walk by the river about sunset a few days ago and it was beautiful in every direction.
Saw my first snowdrops of the year.
Caught a glimpse of an oystercatcher.
Was squawked at by a tern.

So, I am just really joyful out in nature.
But also playing the piano or baking.

I volunteer with asylum seekers, so if any of them gets good news, I catch their joy really easily.

I decided to learn the samba a few days ago. Just looked at youtube videos, followed along, and I was/ am on a high for the whole day a high anytime I dance round my messy kitchen. I was walking round out little village with a huge grin the whole day.

Yes,my dogs, walking in the forests and woods. The first cup of tea in the morning. Sunrises and sunsets. I used to stop my car on the way to and from the night shift to admire them.. After 40 years nursing, seeing some of the things I have seen, pretty much grateful to be honest to wake up each day and be (almost) in one piece. I love autumn, the changing leaf colour. The bare bones of winter, I can see the bulbs popping up, the hellibores are coming out. Warming up the seed compost, I do my tomatoes, pepper and melons now. You only have to look around you, the rich and famous,who have the money,looks, talent, multiple marriages,drugs,drink, suicide,there's obviously something missing.

My family, we get together to eat and play board games. I almost always end up laughing until my sides ache.

My miniature poodle. I love her so much and she brings me a lot of joy.

Listening to classical music fills me joy.

See joy to me is those little moments of fresh washing on the line. A bird on my bird feeder.
I have cptsd and learned long ago to live moment to moment. Back then it was about coping with the bad but years of healing work and I now find it works for the good too. Each day is made up of moments. Some good. Some bad. Some joyous. Some mundane. I’ve set my life up slowly, to be surrounded by the moments that bring me joy.
I have animals and a small holding now, had to move a long way to afford it but waking each day to see deer in the field.. worth it. I gave up a hard and demanding but successful career too.
My home is filled with fairy lights and scented candles because they bring me joy.

I guess it’s finding the things that already make you feel good and building more opportunities for that in your life.

I’m in the newborn phase and it’s hard. I also have a toddler.

bubble baths, baby smiles, coffee first thing…

Having all my adult DC and 2 DGC together with me at the same time. I look at them all and feel absolute joy and pleasure. I do early Xmas the second week of December each year and have them all come to me.

Good quality kitchen roll

My joy is a snuggle from my dog or seeing her playing.

A cuddle and a sniff of my lovely horses

When my football team scores a goal and DS 15 and I hug each other which is the only time I'm allowed to cuddle him 😂

Listening to music when on a lovely walk and enjoying the scenery

I read once that you should have a good friend you can cry with and a good friend you can laugh with.

My New Years Resolution is to do more phone chats (I’ve got stuck on doing texts only). I’m going to try and catch up especially with the friends that I find have a good sense of humour or a very positive outlook. There are friends who I find I’m naturally more silly and fun with and I think that could be mutually beneficial.

when you have DC it’s difficult to meet old friends IRL, so can you set up chats and face time with one or more of your friends?

Oh yes,I forgot about the moon, I love to see it on a clear night!