To ask what makes you happy

[tinklykitty]

Feeling a little down most days :( I want to try and do some things each day to make myself feel happy but I never know what I can do and before it's too late I'm back feeling demotivated and miserable again... I would really appreciate some ideas of quick things I can do each day that might make me happy. I'm thinking If I write them down then do one per day I might end up being the happiest fucker alive!

When reminders of memories come up on Facebook or on my photos. I love looking back on them and seeing what I have done.

Following a dream can op. Is there anything you have ever wanted to do (write a book, run a marathon, own a flower stall, start a new class in kung foo etc..) or achive, a place you have always wanted to go? (For me its Australia!) .I find planning or working towards something I want rewarding and exciting. Just having something to work towards and focus on.

But for me personally I have 4 kids and our house is tiny. My 2 year old is very clingy so time on my own is quite valuable, just to clear my head. Chocolate too. I enjoy the odd run. Also enjoy the odd good book. Just getting lost in another world is good sometimes. I hope you can find something to make you happy op xx

Remoaningmyrtle didn't say they don't need treatment she said they shouldn't instantly be given 'medication'.
It's quite terrifying that medication + ECT could be given without someone actually being offered any proper counselling to be honest, and this definitely does happen.

Swimming, especially when its bright and sunny.

Planning a holiday, I can spend hours researching.

Growing things from seed, they need some care and focus. Currently growing pumpkins.

Finding a bargain second hand book.

My boys. They're both at university and I really miss them. Now home for Easter, am overjoyed.

My two Boston terriers. Without fail, just watching them lifts my mood.

My allotment.

Being by the sea.

Seeing my DP come round the corner. Gives my heart a little lift.

A bath.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist I strongly disagree that counselling should always precede medical intervention for clinical depression. I often work with people who are so deeply depressed they are unable to make the most of the counselling/therapy process. However they are often reluctant to take any medical interventions offered because of stigma and misinformation around taking antidepressants.

Counselling on its own can be very beneficial for many people (and I am sure medication on its own for just as many, but I don’t see those ones). but sometimes people need both sorts of help.

Nice thread. I've learnt over time that what makes me happy is doing less.
I am naturally anxious and indecisive so being 'busy' doesnt suit me and it took me over 30 years to realise this.
I love time to relax, read and do yoga. And most of all, quality time just chilling with my family. Cosy Sunday mornings on the sofa, walks in the woods and catching up with close friends. I love not having many plans.

A quiet coffee with a puzzle or good book
Finding bargains on the reduced counter (only time I treat myself to flowers)
Spending time with friends and family
My cat
Completing a jigsaw puzzle
Finding something I’ve lost
DF face lighting up when I visit him in nursing home
Having a good diet week
Margarita on a Saturday night
Things going well at work
Buying jewellery

Oh yes, yoga. Probably the best hour of my week.

Also, when my son is home from uni, watching him and his brother laughing and being daft together, referencing Spongebob and the Simpsons, singing daft songs. It’s gold.

I read something about gardening doing for you what AD's only can mimic. I'm not depressed but I'm starting to tend my garden a little bit more x

Winbinbin - I didn't say counselling should precede medical intervention. I said medication shouldn't be offered without also offering counselling/psychotherapy and I strongly believe in this from personal experience.

Babdoc - BigPharma loves doctors like you. Write out a prescription for someone like OP who says she's "feeling low most days" and is proactively seeking advice on things to do to help herself

Never mind that anti-d can have bad side effects and frequently don't work - you've done your job with a head tilt and a bottle of pills.

My experience? Successfully overcoming years of soul destroying depression without drugs. But that counts for nothing IYO compared to a GP who attended and a couple of lectures on the subject and lots of hard sell from Big Pharma.

Yoga and coffee! Chatting with friends always makes me feel chirpy too, so I always say yes to meeting if I practically can, even if I don’t feel like it - I always come away feeling happy.

I have been unwell with an earinfection for the last 3 weeks (on 2nd course of antibiotics to try to get rid) and feeling really sick with it (vertigo bad) yesterday was a bad day for it.. We operate a dishwasher day in the house and monday is mine. When I walked into the kitchen at 22 30 to do the kitchen I found my 15 year old had done it for me as I was unwelll..

made me happy..

I am full time carer for our severely SN child and cannot get out like I used to. Pre DC I would walk miles in the countryside with my dogs, hours and hours and it made me feel alive. Now I can only get out when DH has a spare hour to have DC. I obviously grab these chances but only people like you guys who know what it feels like to feel trapped, know what I mean when I say - "I long to be able to open the door on my cage myself". I often feel I'll never be in control of my life/freedom/space ever again. I feel like a bird in a cage. 😢 Sorry OP didn't mean to jump on your thread but it was to emphasise how much walking made me feel happy!! Yoga with Adriene on YouTube has also saved me from a really low point recently. Really saved me and made me feel better physically and emotionally. 💐

@LettuceOwt I really get that, and find a rowing machine a life saver. It’s not the same but the exercise and the rhythm and the music in my ears creates a bubble that helps. I am so much better for it, and best of all it is at home so I don’t need anyone’s help to access it.

Having a clean, tidy and organised environment. I don’t always achieve this but I feel so much more content and together when I do.

Reading and keeping a spreadsheet of everything I’ve read that year with a mark out of 100 for enjoyment, colour coded by genre.

Doing the crossword and having a coffee in bed with my husband every morning before I get up.

Doing well at work.

Spending time with friends and family.

Baking.

Mastering a good new recipe.

Running. Not the actual run itself, which is obviously torture, but the high that comes after (although this may actually just be relief that I am not running any more).

My cats.

I find the concept of 'happiness' really interesting. When I was younger I was always searching for what made me 'happy'.
Over time I have realised that happiness is contentedness, it's the absence of unhappiness, the absence of wanting more, of anxiety. Feelings of excitement or joy are always fleeting and can actually lead to unhappiness (feeling deflated after wedding, feeling low the day after a party) etc, yet a lot of people chase this feeling. True happiness is contentedness. It's life when you feel comfortable and at ease. It's being happy with where you are right now, it's the small things.
I think having a purpose and a meaning in life is important to some, whether that's through work, kids, hobbies, but ultimately happiness comes from being content with what you have.
You might think I'm talking utter BS and that's fine but that's how I see it

Nature makes me happy, even on a wet day like today. I have been out with the dog and stood and admired cowslips and primroses and felt the sticky horse chestnut buds. Just watching birds flying, and listening to their incessant chatter is lovely.
A hot cup of tea, a comfortable chair and something interesting to read - all good.
I must say it is generally the little things in life that give the most pleasure; for me anyway.

Hbstowe are you me
We have the exact same interests
Have a got the goodreads app?
It’s goid for keeping track of the books you read.

Clownfish you hit the nail on the head