To ask are you happy?

[Lily2075]

I don't really see how people are. Life just seems like years and years of working. I go to work and I don't care about any of it. I'm not motivated to do well because none of it means anything to me. Then I go home and do nothing and get up to go to work again. What's the point?

There are some low points, but I do my best to keep myself motivated and happy for the future. I am on the way to becoming a single mum by choice and doing IVF so there are some really tough days, focusing on my goal and my aspirations helps me a lot!

I am very grateful for what i have, lovely home, DH and DD but am i happy....no?!?!
Life just seems like one long drudge to get through rather then enjoy, especially as i will likely be working till 65-70.

I don't know that I would say happy, as that's a blanket statement that can't cover every aspect of my life. However I am content in day to day living. I'm not an adventure seeker, or constantly looking for excitement. I like my quiet life with my dh and dd. I see friends fairly regularly, and have a great family. I'm not sure what more I can expect, and I'm content with that.

Yes I am.

No not especially. I suppose I'm fairly contented with my lot.

I am grateful to have a good husband and two happy healthy kids

A nice house in a nice area

A fun hobby that I enjoy.

A stable job - albeit not paying me enough and I don't find it particularly interesting or enjoyable, it pays the bills and is flexible.

It is a depressing cycle of work - eat - sleep - repeat all week and then try to stuff the weekends full of everything else.

I don't have a lot of money

I don't really have any friends

I live a long way away from my family

I have a chronic and life limiting health issue - and that's the crux of it, that it's likely to be this drudging same cycle of work for the rest of my life, I can't see myself having a long, if any retirement.

Very happy. I have been most of my life. Just one massive blip when an anxiety disorder popped up and ruined a good chunk of a year while I got to grips with it and got treatment but other than that, I’m incredibly lucky with my great friends and kind, supportive family. Job, kids, husband, home. Wouldn’t want anything other than what I have.

People always want a reason to be happy when we can just 'be happy. We let external circumstances dictate our mood! I understand grief/loss will make you unhappy but a lot of the time we think negative. Turn it on its head and you will feel better. Instead of it's all work, work work. Then try to see work as the thing that means you can have Nice food, a warm cozy bed etc
I think this naturally happens as you get older though!

Often it is what you do outside of work that defines you

Dogs seem to be a frequent factor for those that are happy.
I can understand why.

Yes, fairly happy most of the time

If your life out of work is fulfilling and happy you'll be amazed at how much work monotony/apathy you can accommodate

Don't look for or expect work to make you happy, you'll only be disappointed. I honestly think a job you don't mind and a happy/interesting/fulfilling life outside work is the key to happiness.

I have a beautiful home, a career that I’ve worked hard for, two beautiful and healthy children, DH (he’s not but he’s the father of my children an we’ve been together for ages). I’m fairly attractive, drive a nice car and can buy myself nice things.

Am I happy? Deep down, I’m dying inside. I’ve built a life that looks lovely but I question my happiness every single day.

I'm trying so hard to be and feel so ungrateful when I'm in a slump. I would not have been able to give you a clue what depression felt like until a couple of years ago (when I turned 40ish)..now I bloody well know as it hit me like a ton of bricks!!

I so wish I could go back to not knowing what it felt like but a regretted house move, being full time carer to our disabled child (who will never be independent and I'm just getting older..and older...) and then the sodding pandemic messing EVERYTHING up...its just so hard to stay hopeful and positive now and I feel so guilty for not being able to 😞

@Herani

Often it is what you do outside of work that defines you

Absolutely. My job is the least interesting thing about me.

I am baseline happy. I have moments of great frustration and am someone who lets little things really get to me, but I have learned after much therapy and some real setbacks, to appreciate happiness in the moment, and to find beauty in small things.

@littlebirchtree

I'm trying so hard to be and feel so ungrateful when I'm in a slump. I would not have been able to give you a clue what depression felt like until a couple of years ago (when I turned 40ish)..now I bloody well know as it hit me like a ton of bricks!!

I so wish I could go back to not knowing what it felt like but a regretted house move, being full time carer to our disabled child (who will never be independent and I'm just getting older..and older...) and then the sodding pandemic messing EVERYTHING up...its just so hard to stay hopeful and positive now and I feel so guilty for not being able to 😞

I used to be, regardless of what went on I would rise above and see the positive and possibilities. I was known for my eternal cheer.

In the past 6 years I've lost both parents, MIL, best cat and best friend. Was pushed out of my oldest circle of friends by a newcomer. My family are very far away. I find myself wondering what the point is, far too often.

Looking in, you'd think me so lucky, and I am. Wonderful DH whom I adore, great job making great money, nice home, no debt, DC doing well enough. DGSs that are the light of my life but I miss them so much with damned covid restrictions. I am grateful, but also very lonely.

I've saved so hard for retirement, but to retire to what? That's my dilemma. That's what I need to work on.

Whoa, that was a long moan. Sorry.