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?

Horses
Hiking

On a beach in the Maldives..true happiness

Swimming in the sea in summer.

Wandering round ancient ruins taking pictures.

Completing an oil painting or other creative project.

Travelling on a train hauled by a heritage diesel loco.

Riding alone through the fields with the skylarks singing above makes my heart sing.
Swimming in the sea with miles of ocean stretching before me makes me feel so calm.

Rain, books, tea. Or going to the theatre.

Walking my dog,in the woods in the dark or on the beach

Painting on a huge canvas or drawing in charcoal on a huge sheet of paper

Being surrounded by donkeys

Galloping like the wind with only a pair of ears in front of you. Also the cause of terror but on balance I'll take it

Getting smashed with my good friends on a sunny roof terrace

Cuddling my toddler and hearing her giggles

Solitude in a book nook or in nature

Cooking with lots of free time, no stress & great ingredients

A huge sleep followed by a free morning / always my most inspired and happy

My job. I love it. It’s all i’ve ever done.

Identifying flora and fauna with my lovely 3 year old.

The pub. Tipsy with friends.

At Latitude.

When they clamp that wristband on and I walk under the huge ‘Latitude’ sign and get that first pint of cider in my hand. I take a breath and know I’m in my happy place and have nothing to think about for the next 12 hours except drinking, eating and music. I live for that one day a year. (Used to be the full weekend but that was pre-kids - can’t find anyone willing to take them for the full four days unfortunately!)

And agree with a PP about old man pubs with friends.

Scuba diving. Everything else just falls away

Driving on a summer's night, classic 90s chill out tracks on the radio, the heady smell of rapeseed oil blowing through the open window.

Catching the very early train into London at the weekend, a fresh Costa Flat White in one hand and your credit cards in the other.

'My' snug corner of the local 5th floor, Waterstones cafe, where I can loose myself in a book, sip my coffee and dreamily gaze out over the roof tops.

Waking up in the night to hear heavy rain on the window and snuggling up to DH who always half wakes and mumbles 'love you, babe' before going straight back to sleep.

Loading up the car at dawn, putting your favourite music on the radio and heading down to Cornwall for the week.

Sitting cuddled up with DH on a Cornish beach, sharing a flask of coffee and looking out at the sea and snogging like teenagers.

Getting together with old friends you've known and loved for 20+ years. So good for the soul, sitting there putting the world to rights and there's always time to open "one last bottle of wine".

I also have a thousand things that revolve around my DCs, but that's when I'm in my other role as a Mum.

When I'm snuggled up in front of the tv with DP and my dogs

Or when I'm laid in the sun on a sun lounger somewhere abroad. I can't get that sense of peacefulness any other way.

Never happens any more because of kids etc, but I love it when we’ve had a house party and everyone’s slept over and we wake up and eat scrambled eggs in our PJs and still snuggled up in sleeping bags.

Dancing to 90s indie classics, like at a wedding or similar.

The very odd occasion when I still wear glitter eyeshadow.

Sitting in front of a roaring fire drinking scalding hot tea.

Also never happens any more, but time to chill alone at home rereading my vintage girls’ school stories, or any 70s-era Puffin-type YA book.

Singing songs at church that we used to sing when I was a kid, e.g. Shine Jesus Shine, which I know is totally cheesy but it reminds me of a time when I felt safe and loved.

At home peacefully with my kids - single parent.

Running.

Walking my dog.

Travel and seeing new places. Even if they are not highbrow or a tourist trap, I love it all.

Hiking

Sunbathing

Learning something new. This has been very random and has included learning to read tarot cards, languages, topiary and dressmaking.

Trying my hardest at absolutely everything. I don’t have any real talents but am pretty good at a lot of things and I get a real sense of achievement from that.

Doing anything I haven’t done before.

That moment when I get into bed and unlock my kindle!

When I went back to work after DS was born, those 18 months before the next one came along rank high. Part time work in a career I love, got a promotion , a sleeping toddler, happy relationship & financially secure. Now we’ve thrown another DS into the mix and I can’t wait for him to sleep better and to go back to work! It’s about constant happiness for me rather than invidual experiences.

Walking (city and nature)
Live music

Being in Scotland. Anywhere in Scotland. I’ve travelled the world and seen some truly breathtaking places but a trip to Scotland during an extremely difficult, painful time last year healed my soul in a way I can’t explain.

I live in the South and love where I live. I don’t feel a need to be in Scotland permanently but I long to go back again. Just thinking of the sound of bagpipes and drummers thundering through the misty streets of glorious Edinburgh sends shivers down my spine.

Make-up free, hair tied back, big boots on while I work on my allotment.

Teaching (I'm a tutor and teach one-to-one in alternative provision).

Reading by the sea,swimming in the sea,drinking my morning espresso,hiking on Dartmoor,reading and hanging out the washing barefoot before anybody else is awake(don't ask me why).

Love a real fire,embroidery and cross stitch too.

Being surrounded by a happy and healthy wife and kids. That's it, all i ask for is they're happy and well and then i can be happy.

I enjoy hiking, travelling, reading and the occasional motorbiking. But i would give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant my kids or wife could be happy.

Early in the morning, when nobody is about,everywhere is quiet but for the birds singing, and having a nice cup of tea.
Glass of wine while reading a good book.
Clean sheets after a nice long bath.
Having a cuddle with my dog.
Watching Gone With The Wind, while eating a box of chocolates.

Nice thread btw