What makes you happy?

The latest little shower of rain which has freshened everything up.

No. You don't need to "get a life" at all.

I won't put a downer on your thread by confessing that the little happy-making things don't seem to work quite so well for me these days. I don't know why. But I like your post. I might use it as a, sort of, wake-up call. Thank you.

Me too, jingl -and lily
I must confess with some shame that I am very envious of your ability to feel happy. And admiring. I KNOW I OUGHT to feel happy because there's no reason why I shouldn't be, and I've much to be grateful for - but somehow happiness is more elusive than ever. Don't know what I'm doing wrong but I do wish I could take a leaf out of Lilygran 's book! Oh, and Mishap's too, for that matter!
Meanwhile I have to continue to take the dreaded Mirtazapine and Pregabalin....

You know Lilygran I feel the same way. I've always been a happy person and lots of little things in life bring me joy, the latest being the silver wedding roses beginning to flower in the garden and remembering what a lovely day it was when we received them. We don't need to "get a life", we've already got a pretty good one.

I find the small things do not so much engender happiness as a feeling of quiet contentment.

I agree Flickety - contentment is what I get from adding up all the positive and good things in my life.

Happiness is the sudden flash of joy when something lovely happens like my sweet DGS turning up unexpectedly, out on a bike ride with his Mum (DD) yesterday and calling in to see us.

Off the top of my head..drawing, crafting with my GD, lots of glitter, glue, felt pens.. Lego building, story telling with my GS.
Using my Gran's 1930's Singer Sewing Machine.
A new knitting project.
Southwold Pier and chips with my OH.

Rainbows - there was one today. Having all my family together under one roof for the night. That one more than anything, as it will occur less frequently in future. When the first rose blooms. Cake. Seeing a fresh green leafy landscape softened by light rain in the Spring. Lighting the fire on Autumn evenings. Bubble baths. DBH buying me flowers. And bringing me back a cake when he goes shopping. Summer evening parties in posh frocks with champagne or Pimms outside in the evening sunshine. Seeing ducklings on the river. GCs coming to me and wriggling backwards onto my lap, sure of their welcome. Going to a beautiful garden/house that also does tea and cakes ( I see a theme developing here). Finding clothes that fit and flatter/n. Singing in my choir. Eating out at nice restaurants. Paddling in the sea and collecting pebbles and shells.

It's the simple things.

I feel the same as jingl and Rowantree. 'Quiet contentment' would be wonderful (although it sounds a bit 'Miss Read'-ish), but I do seem to have lost the knack of feeling those serendiptous happy highs the last year or so...

penguin a 1930s Singer! Is it a treadle?

I'm full of the small joys of life! I felt happy tonight walking back from the shops at the sight of a little girl, skipping towards me ahead of her mum, followed by the gran - because they were all three engaged in communication. The child was talking to her mum, the mum was talking over her shoulder to her mum, and the gran was imploring them both to slow down and let her catch up. It was just a simple happy scene, that rubbed off on me.

No it's not a treadle Grannyknot but it's in beautiful condition. My Grandad bought it in several instalments just after they married and it was always oiled, polished, treasured by my Gran. I have a modern, basic John Lewis model but I never use it I always use the Singer.

So it s a sling handle then? How lucky you are. That would make me happy too.

Lilygran, like you I enjoy life and especially appreciate the 'moments' that feel good.
I have a regular visitor who comes to me for help when she's feeling low. She has a husband who loves her, they're retired and financially well off, they have six or seven holidays a year - and yet she has no joy in the simple things of life and I feel really, really sad for her. She believes that she ought to feel content or happy with life, but if the feeling isn't there it isn't something that can be manufactured. We none of us can know what it is to walk in another's shoes, so every time I meet up with this poor woman I find myself doubly counting my blessings.
for those who find life hard.

Saturday afternoon made me very happy as my dd,ds, dil and all four dgc were with me!
That's a very rare occurrence, and it was lovely.

Tonight, while speaking to me on the phone, ds had to go upstairs to see what little gd was shouting about. He gave her the phone while he changed her 'wet bumbum', and she chatted away, telling me that "I in a big girls' bed now nana, and I coming to your house to sleep"

That made me happy too.

Oh dear, I wish I hadn't posted on this thread now! I don't find life hard - perhaps I'm just deficient in the Pollyanna gene at the moment...

I'm sure it's only temporary, and I hope the same applies to others who can't seem to find joy in the simple things, for whatever reason, just now.

I had a burst of happiness yesterday.
We were at DD2 & SiL's for a bbq and DD suddenly asked if it was too early to mention Christmas, and what were we doing.
After some tortuous conversation, with lots of not treading on anyone's toes, it transpired that they were actually inviting themselves to come to ours for Christmas. I felt overwhelmed and really grateful - it's 5 years since any of the DCs came to our house for one reason and another, and I had begun to think they never would again.

This is the same as my machine, 128K, Grannyknot
www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/128/
My OH managed to break the key in the lock of the, huge, wooden case a few months ago but we were able to get a replacement.

Going for a walk for two hours, and actually getting back again without sitting down.
Saw lots of spotted orchids, which made me very happy as the place they were was dug up by the council last year, with big machines, so I was worried they would not be there this year.
Spotting a young bird, taking a photo, and identifying it correctly.

I'm very lucky that I'm happy and content most days. Today being one such.
We have not long moved into a new Bungalow. DGD didn't take to kindly to this, she hates change.
She came today and I had bought her some play makeup. When she had 'done' her face, I told her to put it back in my bedroom. No, she said, it's going in MY room. I knew then that she was happy here.
Then we went to the beach. Another lovely day.

What's making me happy at the moment is that everything in DD's mobile home works. She moved on to our smallholding ten days ago and the shower, boiler, cooker, fridge, loo, lights etc., are all tickety-boo.

Phew!!

Now if the architect who's doing the plans for our annexe could just pull his finger out I'd be even happier

Aww! These are lovely. I'm going to have to try a bit harder.

I have to admit to low level unhappiness quite a lot of the time, with little flashes of happiness every so often. My grandchildren make me happy (most of the time!) and my dog is lovely company and makes me laugh. Sun makes me feel better and singing along (and dancing sometimes) to a pop song I like or listening to a favourite piece of music.

I think you have "got a life" Lilygran - having the ability to appreciate the small things in life - rather than hankering after bigger and better experiences - is not to be sniffed at.

I could have written that post myself, Eloethan, but not half as well. You are right, grandchildren, sunshine and a pop song you'd forgotten all about coming on the radio can all give such a lift! I heard a snatch of an old Hollies song today - wonderful!

Just looked out of the kitchen window and seen a star. Haven't seen many stars lately.