Happiness that you can get for free or won't be affected by the raising cost of living

[SophieHasOneQuestion]

Unfortunately, it seems everyone is cutting back, myself included. Let's share things that give you happiness and satisfaction for free (or almost free). So life can still be fun and worth living in these difficult times.

I go to a weekend philosophy club (held in a park), which is free, it gives me intellectual stimulation and makes me happy.

Beach or countryside walks. It’s not completely free but very cheap is my allotment too. And just spending time with my children really, they make pretty much anything fun. Lovely thread thank you.

I love reading threads like this - lovely sense of connection with people who love simple things.
For me

• the first cup of tea in the morning

-yoga class -a walk in the countryside -an hour -or 3 - getting hands into soul -a good book -my dogs -lighting a candle

• being able to buy warm clothes in winter, clean sheets on the bed - I grew up in a poor family, I really appreciate simple luxuries “
• playing music - I have a glorious flute teacher whom I adore.

-reading a book

• chatting with friends

-I work in healthcare and there is a glorious sense when you have made a good connection with someone and have helped them.

Cuddling the dog, they don't realise how much responsibility they have for our happiness and wellbeing
Listening to the rain
Lying in bed and hearing the owls calling to each other
A strong cup of tea, outside in the sun
A smile from a stranger

Walking on the beach and collecting sea glass.
Geocaching.
Using our library - please do this everyone, before we lose them.
Volunteering a couple of hours a week.
Going to museums and galleries.
Growing tomatoes by planting slices of tomato. Growing potatoes by planting sprouting potatoes that we forgot to eat.
Messaging friends.

@MintheMiddle if you're in Durham have you tried the Botanical Gardens? Its not free but an annual pass isn't too much. Also the Oriental Museum is about £1 entry. Finchale priory is free to visit if you park on the other side of the river, on Cocken Road and walk down through the wood.

Listening to music on free streaming sites, taking my sons to the park to play and walks in woods. Playing with my sons, cuddling with my sons.

Not free but low cost because I already have the equipment, playing guitar, need to buy strings every now and again but they are not expensive. Riding my bikes, road bike can be ridden from the door but mountain bike needs to be driven somewhere with decent trails. Drawing and colouring, I have plenty of pencils and paper for now but not free because it obviously needs replacing.

Growing food.

Even if it's just one little thing. So satisfying

Going for a run with my neighbour.

My 'free' hot drink from Cafe Nero ( with O2) highlight of my working week.

Plunging in the sea, great group of people, very uplifting.

Walking the dog.
Spending time with dd (10)
Those blissful moments curled up in bed next to DP, after incredible sex and just before sleep.

[quote ChiselandBits]@MintheMiddle if you're in Durham have you tried the Botanical Gardens? Its not free but an annual pass isn't too much. Also the Oriental Museum is about £1 entry. Finchale priory is free to visit if you park on the other side of the river, on Cocken Road and walk down through the wood.[/quote]
I'll have a look into them, I've heard of them but haven't been and we're always looking to try somewhere new.

I also just thought of another (it's not free though but certainly pays off) is national trust cards. We do all sorts and go all over with ours and they're brilliant as you don't need to worry about entry fees, parking etc. in the summer we just pack the car the night before and set off for one and always have the most wonderful day.

Walks, reading, nature and wildlife photography, watching the bird feeders, stargazing, podcasts.

My allotment plot is my sanity saver, and my greatest hobby. I’ve not had this one long so it’s a work in progress, but enjoyable work, outside surrounded by nature and birdsong. Very tranquil.

Knitting - I've been trying to use up the (vast) amounts of wool I've got already instead of buying new.

Reading - books you already own, free from the library or brought cheaply from a charity shop. There are lots of free local Little Libraries where you can swap a book for another one. We have one near us with all sorts of books; it's just a little hut thing in someone's front garden.

Coffee with a good friend. My best friend and I like to make use of the codes you can sometimes get with certain mobile phone providers where you can either get a free drink or one for £1.

There are lots of places you can visit for free - community gardens, museums run by local authorities, etc. They often have free trails, exhibitions or low cost events (crafts, talks)

I LOVE the sound of a philosophy club, how interesting!

I love my knitting. A quiet day at the park with my knitting and a picnic can really lift a month, let alone a week for me. I'm looking forward to the weather really letting that be an all day idea again. But then a sandwich huddled on a bench with a hot chocolate is a little moment pleasure for me. I also enjoy walking around towns and cities looking at interesting architecture and buildings in general.

Sewing and fixing clothes - not free I know but it gives me satisfaction knowing that I am prolonging the life of clothes so saves money in the end.

Spending time in my garden with my children .

Playing football in the park.

Listening to podcasts .

Agree with the poster- @itrytomakemyway- who asked everyone to use their local library. Not only can you borrow books and audible books for free but many of them also run free activities.

Please do use them in some way because they are at risk of being closed if it can be shown that no-one wants them.

@GrannyBloomers can i just say thankyou so much for pointing this out in your post. I am disabled and homeless and those types of things i.e. Not having a pair of shoes that don't have holes etc. Do really affect your ability to be able to participate in some tho ha that others see as free. I think some people (not people on this thread) can get inpatient with people for not making the most lf those little chances, when in reality it is equipment etc. Tgat stop them xx

Anyone who says knitting would you have any interest in a sort of distance knitting pen pal club to help loneliness in marginalised groups ? As i am considering trying to set up a charity that does this. Hope that you feel it is okay i have put it on here op i have done so as i think many people have put knitting and volunteering or having a chat with a friend as their answer xx

Planting up my free seeds from Gardener's World magazine. 🌼

Gardening, very cheap and hopefully = thing I can eat. Riding my knackered old bike round river banks (no helmet needed really). Walking and watching spring arrive; feeding and watching 'my' wood pigeons. Also, library books, very rarely buy books.

@Justgorgeous

My plants and pots. I had a lovely willow that I thought was dad and today I noticed it was budding.

Your dad must be an unusual looking chap

@andysgirl22

Anyone who says knitting would you have any interest in a sort of distance knitting pen pal club to help loneliness in marginalised groups ? As i am considering trying to set up a charity that does this. Hope that you feel it is okay i have put it on here op i have done so as i think many people have put knitting and volunteering or having a chat with a friend as their answer xx

@andysgirl22 - bump this post for you. Hope more people can see this good cause. flowers

Andysgirl I'd be interested in hearing more.