To ask is anybody truly happy with their lives?

[Friedbanana]

(Before covid too) I just sometimes really wonder if anyone is truly happy as everyone around me seems to have so many struggles/stresses, and the general state of the world is so helpless with global warming, hunger, backwards politics etc.. I’ve had this mindset before covid but obviously things are even worse now for many..
I’ve always wanted children at some point in the future (I’m only mid twenties) but sometimes I wonder whether I want to bring a child into this world in the state it’s currently in :(

So yes, just asking if anyone is truly content, and maybe if you are could you give some background eg work/family situation etc. And what you think has contributed to your content life!

I also don’t think being truly happy means you are happy all the time. There are days I am stressed and moody, or sad About the state of the world, or anxious about something at work. But that doesn’t mean I’m not generally very happy.

I agree with @40PlusTTC

Being happy with life doesn't mean spending all day wandering around with a fixed grin. Nor does it mean there aren't things in your life that could be better, it just means generally being content with your lot, IMO

I'm divorced and have an awful ex -without doubt it's broken me. Raising kids on my own without him supporting me. I always thought I was reasonably happy where I am -lockdown showed me my true friends are old school friends and my parents who live 200 miles away.

I've just secured a job across the country- near them. We are selling and moving and taking a huge hit. Bring it on. Lots of tears I don't know why -but it is the right decision right now. Covid would have broken me without my mum and dad and I want to spend the rest of my life spending as much time as possible with them.

Depends on how you define happy. I'm nearing the other end of my life, both children grown up, and when I think of my life it's not always the easiest parts that have been happiest. Sometimes happiness lies in knowing that things were tough and we stood together and got through them. That here and there I've made a difference. That I stood up for what I knew was right.

Loved what j712adrian said about his mother's love being the perfect springboard. Hope my children would be able to say that about me.

Dh and I are very happy.

We've had a lot to cope with, I won't specify what as the combination of events is quite outing.

I do believe that coping with adversity can give you a different perspective. For us our day to day life is great, our relationship is good and we enjoy each others company. We don't have money worries and we have quite simple tastes. Our dc don't give us any cause for worry.

We have had, and will probably continue to have, periods of acute stress around health issues but I believe chronic problems such as poor relationships and financial insecurity are far more corrosive to mental health.

I was very happy pre Covid and will be happy when it's gone/we have it under control.

I'm truly content and happy. I have an amazing partner who i have been with 9 years, a lovely baby boy who is our miracle and our family is around us and they are all fit and well. We both have jobs that we love too and have managed to pay our morgage off.

However, i have terrible anxiety which can be hell. I dont think anyones life is 100% perfect and we all have our issues.

Mentally I feel ok, though I think covid has brought me a bit lower than normal.
I have two kids but want another.
And we need a larger house that is proving difficult as the goalposts keep changing with house buying.
But I'm content.
I feel like I've got so much to look forward to. Even if I dont have another kid my kids are getting more independent. We can do more and more together.
We are financially stable.
What more does anyone need?
I have some health issues and one of my kids too. But hopefully they are in check and the kid needs an operation sometime in the future
But if that goes ok, then health wise she will be fine. For now I think we are doing well.

Yes, i have a good marriage, a lovely 18 month old daughter, a small And cozy home, good friends and family. A job which isn't amazing but I try my best with it. Clean water, a full belly and Fair health.

But as with everything in life it's one attitude to it which determines how happy you are. You can always want more, Or see your blessings as a curse.

The ability or inclination to think about spiritual/scientific/existential matters and appreciate your tiny place in the vastness of whatever this life is helps too :)

I am and I'm not. I'm very happy with what I have - a lovely safe home, enough food in the cupboards, an amazing family etc.

But there's still more I'm working on. I have no career (I'm a mature student) and we live very very frugally as we're low income (DH can't work due to disability). I'd love to have a career one day so we bring in enough money to be comfortable and enable us to have savings. I'd love to lose weight (a large amount that I'm working on), learn to do more things, pick up a great hobby etc.

So I'm very happy with my core life but there are so many surrounding areas that are in seedling form.

I am, even though circumstances are very hard atm. The people I love the most in the world are healthy and fed, my dc are wonderful, I have the support of a brilliant dh. It's a world away from where I was a few years back, struggling to afford food and heating, abusive relationship, horrid work environment.
I feel very fortunate
to those not doing well at the moment

Yes, very happy... wonderful family, ok career, great health.

Content with simple things, I don’t get bored - nice cup of coffee, warm house, watching the kids play, TV etc.

Not sure which way around the vote is so haven’t voted!

Can honestly say I am 100% happy and very content. I love my life.
Married to a brilliant man, have 3 fantastic DC. We’re all healthy as are our extended families. Brilliant parents, good circle of friends. Financially very secure which I feel is a massive contributing factor. We can do things whenever we fancy without having to check finances, holidays, days out etc.
Had a very happy and stable childhood as did DH.

Yes I'm very happy :) not a perfect or established life by any means as I'm only mid twenties, but I have to say my happiness mainly comes from my partner and our children. Going through the world living with your best who you really love and shares the same values and goals as you really makes even pretty mundane stuff feel special.

I don't think anyone needs much to be happy though. I listened to a really interesting guy describing how even billionaires do largely the same fundamental stuff as we do, so ultimately a "happy life" comes down to a long series of days you are happy with. I'm paraphrasing it really badly but I hope it makes some sort of sense

Best friend*

No 😞

I feel like I’ve done all the exciting things already, marriage babies etc I just wonder what’s next?

I’m not happy all the time -in fact that’s probably v unhealthy. I’m very very content though.

I’ve learned to accept the transient nature of things, accept change as change is inevitable. I actively look for the good amongst the bad, the light in the dark, with practice it becomes automatic-you will generally find what you’re willing to see.

Live for today, in the moment. Yesterday is gone, it no longer exists except in your mind, It’s up to you what you choose to remember about it. tomorrow is there for the making. Above all live life for you but without harm to others. Don’t compare with others. Comparison is the their of joy, you’re on your own path.

Fairly happy, despite being single at 58, have sons, reasonable job, lovely house, beautiful cat and great friends!
And great family
I wouldn’t choose to be single, most folk don’t have everything

I'm absolutely very happy with my life- I am surrounded by love from my husband, family, and very dear friends. Even my crazy affectionate spaniel! The only blot on the horizon is that I'm going to die in the next six-twelve months from this advanced breast cancer, and I have to leave everybody.

No not really!!
We're skint and constantly playing catch up, both work full time, earn too much to get any help and so life is preety shite
We have 2 kids 1 of whole is a total nightmare and her teacher thinks "she's a dream" and rent our house and the landlords are awful and we can't afford to move
Then there's covid
Family who are very ill

So no not very happy at all

I am. I wake up daily feeling really blessed

My health is in the dumps. I can't eat. Drink. Not run as much

But otherwise I feel truly happy. I have a wonderful husband. Amazing children. I'm incredibly lucky.

I am, I had an extremely happy childhood, went to university, travelled the world and lived abroad, married once (ended in divorce but learned a lot that has now improved me as a person & allowed me to build a wonderful relationship), two wonderful kids, had a great career (ended in redundancy but that led to me changing my life for the better), excellent health, no family tragedies (touch wood!), a job I enjoy with 3 colleagues who have become my best friends, a secure and warm home, and an amazing partner who is my soul mate. I wouldn't change a thing (although more money would always help!). I think it's also about how to view things, yes I've experienced a redundancy & divorce but both of those things shook me out of a rut and made me make decisions that led to happiness beyond anything I expected!
So, in short, yes, I love my life & am very happy and content.

Yes, I'm generally happy and content with my life.
I'm older, no longer feel the need to compete with others, no need to "fulfil career ambitions" anymore, appreciate countryside, wildlife and so on much more than I ever did, don't feel the need to 'acquire' stuff or keep up with others like I felt in my younger years.

Children are grown up, I work part-time, don't have so many responsibilities nor so many worries as in the past. Also, I live alone and I absolutely love it, I was very lonely when married but now can go where I like and make friends with whom I wish.... I also like my independence and freedom, wouldn't want to be in a relationship now as it requires too many compromises.

Yes, generally content and happy.....

No I used to be fairly happy and resilient.

Own our average ho

Own our average house- had a bigger one but had to downsize for financial reasons.

Husband has been ill for most of our marriage and is waiting for a transplant.

My darling Mum died suddenly fairly recently, she was my best friend and biggest support. This was the worst thing that could have happened to us/me. No father in my life ever. Have a handful of friends.

Have two children who are thriving.

Hate my job and having to get up at 3.30 am and panic the night before so impacts the day of work and before.