To ask what makes you feel at your happiest, most real "you"?

[whereiscaroline]

During my younger years I had a really strong sense of self. Worked hard, dreams of climbing the corporate ladder, was happy in my job and lived for nights out at the weekend - getting "merry" and clubbing with friends.

Now I'm older, friends are settled, corporate world is horrendous and I feel a bit lost. I don't really know what makes me happy anymore so I'm hoping that IANBU to look to MN for some inspiration please

When do you feel properly happy, like you're being the real, true version of yourself?

What a great thread. For me there are 3 utterly different scenarios.

1. In a library surrounded by books and writing.
2. Sitting on a beach, just thinking. I like this either when very hot and sitting just at the edge of the water with it coming in and out or a darker, windy day in a hoody.
3. On the dance floor. This makes me really happy.

I've left out anything children related as like a previous poster I see mum me as different.

Walking on my own listening to my own music on headphones. Before kids I lived in London and was constantly plugged into an iPod and I never appreciated what a luxury it was to wander around lost in my own world. Now after six years of walking everywhere with kids, chatting, playing I-spy, trying to teach them how to cross the road and rushing to the nearest toilet with them I really cherish those rare walks on my own, even if I’m just popping to the shops.

Working out a juicy Maths problem.

Sitting in a cafe by myself reading a good book.

Chatting to friends who know me really well (and still love me)

Going for long walks in nature with my partner and DD

Takeaway coffee in autumn and crunching through the leaves

Uninterrupted yoga/runs

Sleepy cuddles with my DD in the morning

All these things I need to remember when having a poor mental health day like today.

Sitting by a fire, outdoors, reading while something delicious cooks over the flames. I don't even care if it's raining, I have my camping cook out gear organised so it doesn't matter.

Camping somewhere beautiful but remote in the northwest Highlands. All we think about is what to eat. The DC play beautifully with more DC friends around, fewer toys and more outdoor space. They sleep better too.

If I could figure out what do in Winter, I would live in a yurt Spring/Summer/Autumn.

When I’m sat on my bed, surrounded by text books, my laptop, note pads and pens, with my 2YO snoozing next to me (usually with her little face against my thigh) and my other DDs (9&7) sat the other end of my bed reading their school books. Happens about once a week. And I love it

Also when I’m in high waist skinny jeans, converse and a fandom t-shirt tucked in. With loads of eyeliner.

This is a lovely thread

Reading

Baths

Cats

Babies

Baking

And it sounds bad but I love a night out, I feel like the old me pre babies when I go out but I can't do it often as I don't know when to stop so I only let my hair down properly once or twice a year.

Excercising with a sauna or steam after, camping, glass of wine in the bath, night away with mum friend- we get a hotel, have a drink whilst getting dressed up, go down to the bar for drinks then come back up, pjs on, order room service, kid free sleep, use the leisure facilities before heading back to real life!

I'm a massive gamer geek and nothing pleases me more than leading a raid group to a successful boss kill or raid clear. Just love it. And now I shall crawl back under my stone...

Swimming in the sea

That moment when both kids are asleep in the evening, dh isn't home from work yet and I know that everyone is happy and safe but they DON'T NEED ANYTHING FROM ME RIGHT NOW!!

Reading alone with a coffee by a pool

Moments of success in the corporate world

Dinner at my parents house when everyone I love is under the same roof

Having an after work drink with friends and/or colleagues

Being in the sun. Whether it's walking by the sea, playing tennis, reading or eating and drinking with friends, I just love it.
Spending time with our DS
Quizzing, listening to music, dancing, getting a bargain.
Being retired means I don't have to put up with the everyday shit that working in the 21st century brings

Going to concerts, listening to music while cooking and reading.

When I am on annual leave and on some sort of an indulgent trip or break. No demands no stress. If only for a short while. It feels quite weird being free actually.

Being in the sun

Oh yes, this.

Swimming in the ocean (especially if it's raining)
Lying in the sun
Reading
The sound of running water
Wine and company
The sound of rain on a tent
A real fire
Wild garlic after the rain

Talking rubbish into the early hours with dp.
Cuddling on the sofa
Lying on the grass in the park with Dr
Sitting on the beach
Reading

I’m never more at home than galloping alone on the back of a horse, a mixture of adrenaline and no thoughts other than staying on and enjoying the moment Makes me feel like me again.

When not doing that I love snuggling up with DS with my big stupid dogs warming up my feet

Running
Being by the sea
Meeting up with oldest friends

Feeding and watching the birds in our garden
Just being in the garden ,but especially a few energetic hours pruning and tidying.
Long walks with our dogs,exploring a new one in particular. Autumn ones are the best.
Coffee and cake as a treat on a cold wet miserable day.

Alone, hillwalking in the sun somewhere beautiful.

This is going to sound weird but... explaining grammar. I'm an MFL teacher (very sporadically these days) and it's all I wanted to do since I was 12. I have a knack for explaining grammar to people who find it difficult. It's my rather lame superpower. And it still gives me a rush when people get that 'lightbulb moment', even though being a teacher is a bit crap these days and I have no desire to do it full time again.

Also, doing difficult cryptic crosswords, or anything a bit clever and wordy. My brain loves that stuff!

And being outdoors, camping (late convert to that), wine and chat.

When I get home to my dog who is pleased to see me and I say to him ‘shall we have 5 minutes’ - so we have a 5 minute cuddle on the sofa, fairly often turns into 10 or more. Also walking the dog through the woods or by the seaside with DP.

Being on holiday somewhere warm and peaceful, lying on the beach reading book after book.

Lying in bed with a good book and a cup of tea.

Cooking.

When do you feel properly happy, like you're being the real, true version of yourself?

about three drinks in, generally.

I'm a bit stuck myself, OP.

Got a 7 month old DS who is pretty much attached to me 24/7 (we co-sleep, he naps in my arms, we go to bed together at 9) so I have zero time to myself. I used to love swimming (every night after work, what a luxury!), knitting, meditation, a bath on a Saturday night with the Guardian mag.

Now I can't do any of those if I did get time to myself I'm not that sure what I'd enjoy doing. Sorry for the moan!