Are you happy? If so why?

[sweetmarie]

Posting here for traffic mostly. I've seen a lot of posts lately on here about cheating husbands and difficult relationships, hard times and other things. I've been surrounded by this a lot in RL lately too. Friends whose marriages are breaking down, people crippled by debt and overworked, overtired, arguing over childcare and household chores ect.

I think I've got it good with dp and we have a good life. But everybody around us seems to be either instagram perfect or having a really really horrible time.

I just wanted to hear from people who have all the usual juggles but have a happy relationship or happy life, and why they feel happy, what they value or let go to sustain that.

Posted too soon. In the hope of balancing some of what I've seen so much of and reminding me of the things we value even when times aren't perfect.

Happy cos I've a great family, definitely not Instagram happy and I think that's health and money related but over 10 years on me and dh still get on great, still laugh together and my kids are awesome.

Sort of. I'm happy with my lovely kids and I love and trust my husband. We are having a difficult time at the moment as our idea of the near future is at odds, but we love each other, we don't struggle for money and we both like aspects of our job.

Interesting.

I think, if nothing untoward happens to you, it’s the luckiness of being born with a positive mental attitude.

I’m happy. All the time. I love life. There isn’t a moment of my life I don’t feel I wish I hadn’t had.

I’ve lost both my parents, my brother, and friends. So you have known sadness.

I’m lucky to have good health. I’m thankful I am never depressed, and I think that’s key. I couldn’t imagine living with depression.

I’m happy.

I’m single by choice with a wonderful daughter. I have a very close sister and parents.

Still good friends with my ex and his wife, we co-parent between the three of us very successfully.

Run my own business, doing well and expanding.

I have good health - both mental and physical.

I’m happy.
Still sure I am going to spend the rest of my life with my lovely DP.
We have 5 lovely children between us and they are all polite and all get along well. Usual things like managing a good relationship with other parents, a slightly bigger house would be better and DP would like a promotion at work.... but they will likely happen this year. X

I'm happy! My teenage years were fairly awful, and I made happiness my (selfish) goal... It meant moving to a different country after university to get away from certain things. There I met my now DH, and we have 2 beautiful children. Times have been tough, stressful, money was and still is tight, but we are getting there! We are not 'instaperfect' by any stretch of the imagination! But healthy, career prospects, friends, a home... What more do we need?

I'm happy.

I have a fabulous DH (who can be a lazy git) and a hilarious, loving DS (who can drive me up the wall). We have a lovely house (but big mortgage). My job is ok (I'd prefer not to work full time, but it pays well and is interesting). We want another child, trying in fact (but it requires IVF which has only worked one time out of five so far).

Life is a balance...I'm grateful I have a family who love me, and I love them. A roof over my head. Money in the bank. Food to eat. I'm mostly healthy.

You have to look for the good things, not the bad.

I m happy, but I was horrendously depressed for most of 2018 due to some terrible things happening to us. I m happy because I have sorted my work life balance which has allowed me to enjoy my job again and have more time with my children. We have a decent income, lots of plans for holidays and fab days out this year with all of the people we love. Me and DH have our ups and downs but in general he is a good dad and partner. I think being happy is partly having a positive attitude but partly having no terrible things happen. I couldn't stay positive last year and I m not sure many people could in our circumstances either.

I’m happy because I have a beautiful ds, a nice house which is 95% mine, a job I enjoy with only a 10 minute commute, we are both healthy and I can pay the bills. I am very lucky.
I no longer have to put up with walking on egg shells, being lied to, being sneered at or being undermined. Such a relief. Our home is cheerful & relaxed. Life is brilliant.

I’m happy. I feel like I’m in control of my life, my finances, I can do pretty much what I like as kids are grown up. I enjoy my job. It’s not high flying or status but it pays fine and no stress or long hours. I don’t have any financial worries (at the moment) about paying bills. And most importantly my health is mostly ok and I have the time to go gym, swimming etc. I care less about what people think, this comes with age, so I’m comfortable with myself.

Of course I wouldn’t say no to more money, more savings or a nicer house etc but its a matter of being content with what you have and being grateful for good health of yourself, and family etc.

I'm happy.
I've had some difficult times over the last 18 months or so but I've stayed fairly happy nonetheless. I'm quite a positive person and never down for long. I'm particularly happy at the moment as I've just gone back to work part time after maternity leave and the balance of work and family time seems to be just right.

I'm relatively happy. I'm healthy, have two happy DC, DH is alright I suppose . I've recently taken up the piano, which is going far, far better than expected. Work is good and my manager is super flexible, giving me a great work/life balance. Finances could be better, we have a lot of work to do on our house, which is making me a bit antsy and one DC has a long term health condition that, whilst stable, worries me terribly, but as of right now life is good in the main.

Because I accept myself for what I am and I accept others for who they are too.

I’m just a genuinely happy person. My life isn’t perfect of course but I stay thankful for all of the small things such as a roof over my head, food, health etc. I try to look at all things positively, even paying bills, if I didn’t have gas and electric bills to pay I wouldn’t have heating or light.

I also had a tough start in life so it makes me more grateful for the things I’ve achieved.

I'm happier now than I've ever been. Nice house, no money worries, kind and thoughtful dp, health ok, adc, two dgc, a dcat and ddog.

I'm happy.

I've had some horrible things happen to me, but I was happy before them, and happy afterwards. I wouldn't say it's my natural disposition to be happy because I do feel like it's something I actively choose. I've always practiced mindfulness and gratitude, before they became all hipster and woo.

One thing that has made a big difference to my happiness levels is finding a job I enjoy, where I'm valued.

I think I'm generally happy. Single parent on a low wage, but our quality of life is really good. We live by the sea, and spend lots of time outdoors and with friends.
Money is tight, I'll never be able to afford a house, but we have a lot of fun, and plan on using what money we do have on seeing the world.

I really didn't like myself growing up, and then got into an abusive relationship that nearly killed me. I really like myself now, and put happiness above most things. Life can definitely be hard, and I definitely struggle, but I appreciate my life and the amazing people in it.

I think where I live plays a big part. I'm not sure I would be as happy if I weren't living by the sea.

I'm happy. My husband is a star, I have two lovely, happy healthy kids.

Yes I have stress in my life, as does every but I remind myself that none of those things are in my control. I have to accept them, accept their consequences and do my best to move on.

But generally I'm very lucky. We earn enough to be comfortable. We aren't rich by any standards but we have enough and we have time and fun together.

I am quite happy overall despite losing my therapist who was like a surrogate mother to me, about three weeks ago. Despite that, I have the world on a string right now. I'm in love with my husband still, and he is in love with me. We aren't struggling to make ends meet. We have a lovely home and we both enjoy our hobbies. We have three beautiful, albeit obnoxious cats which bring us much love and happiness. We are childfree so we plan to travel a lot this year. One short trip to California, and one long trip to Dordogne to visit friends. I have never been, so I am very excited. It will be the trip of a lifetime.
I do struggle with depression and anxiety and both my husband and I are Aspies (ASD) so we have our challenges, but I have lived on the other side of what my life is like now, which is why I am so grateful and I realize how truly fortunate we are.

I'm also painting a lot more now which has made me happy and is helping with my depression. I've gotten back into writing too, which is nice. My goal is to open an etsy shop this year to sell my paintings. I've sold some before, a few years ago, but I don't think I was ready. I feel ready now. So, I'm just going to bite the bullet and do it.

Sorry for the novel. I just couldn't seem to stop!

Ridiculously so. I’m planning my wedding to a wonderful man, following which we will start ttc. I have an adorable dog and a lovely home. My job is tolerable, and I work with some brilliant guys. My family generally don’t cause me stress. I’ve cut out those who have abused me in the past. What more could I want?

to an extent I'm happy in my relationship and in my job but still struggle with mental health problems. I doubt these many people who are happy with all areas of their lives.

Very happy. Not in a relationship, by choice. Have been single for 10+ years and love it.

Have quit job to become self employed, something I have wanted to do for ages. Cant wait to get up in the Morning and start work.
Went back to studying, entirely for pleasure. Almost finished my MA and considering a PhD, again just for pleasure.
I see friends when I want. Have started going on trekking holidays where I meet more lovely people.
Despite some health problems in recent years, I have to say I am pretty happy with my life..

Because I'm alive and in remission from leukaemia. I get to be at home with my children that I've missed so much while I was at the hospital. They are kind and caring they look out for each other and me. I'm also happy because a kind and generous donor gave me his stem cells that saved my life.
Money is tight while I'm on sick leave and some days are harder than others but again, I'm alive