What outside of your relationship makes you happy?

[gggjjjkkkk]

I know that happiness has to come from within and can't be centred around your relationship, which is something that I think I maybe struggle to see sometimes because obviously the person you're with should be the person you want to share most things with. So with that in mind, what other things outside of your relationship do you do, for yourself, by yourself or with others, that make you happy?

This sums it up for me, really. Part of what I love about a good relationship is sharing things I’ve done or learned, so there has to be some separate hobbies and interests for that to happen. Likewise I have no desire to participate in a lot of things my partner enjoys, but I’m happy to support him and to listen to him talk (not incessantly…) about them.

sometimes it feels like I should be happier

Why 'should' you be happier? Where does the 'should' come from? How can a 'should' dictate your feelings? Can you feel something because you 'should'?

You're essentially saying you think you should like something that you don't like. Would you say this in any other realm of life? You 'should' like golf? You 'should' like brussels sprouts? You 'should' like rock music?

My kid (she’s 11 and wonderful), my daft dog, my family who I see most days, walking every day in the beautiful place I live. My job (when it’s not making me hideously angry!!). My log burner. My little old campervan. I’m off in my campervan with my dog this weekend actually (DD with her dad and DP is elsewhere). Pink flowery bedding, cooking shows, cooking… currently making a yummy curry. Eating (also makes me plump!). Reading a good book (need to do more of that). A jigsaw. Feeding mints to the pony up the road. Travelling, margaritas (I make a good one!), summer holidays!
Basically lots of stuff. DP doesn’t live here and shares lots of these things with us - travelling, campervans (he has his own), he loves my dog, he eats my cooking, we holiday together. However he doesn’t drink, never reads and would rather die than do a jigsaw so I enjoy myvv bc evenings without him too!

You make a really good point. I guess I feel like I should be happier because I am very lucky in many ways. Financially comfortable, nice house, health etc. I ask myself why can't I be happy with all that?

This was lovely to read. Sounds like you have a great mix of time on your own, with your daughter, with your partner. I do crave my own time a lot

Time on my own, loving myself, my friends, fun days out and most of all my cat.